From: Tricia_Moszkowicz@administaff.com
To: nightanswers@aol.com


Greetings and Good Morrow, Lovely Candice!

I adore your music.  You, Ritchie and the very talented members of your caravan are loved very much for providing the timeless, classic melodies you provide.  In this day and age of trends and fashion ruling most women's thoughts, clothing choices, body images and much else, it's wonderful to see the ladies of Blackmore's Night promoting timeless, pre-raphaelite beauty, REAL beauty.  Your music and crystalline voice are as timeless as flowing dresses, moon-and-star scarves, knights on horses, and lustrous locks flowing beneath waistbands.  We adore you!!!
On that note, I've noticed, as countless others have, that you have incredibly beautiful hair and so long!  I am a member of LHL, also known as Long Hair Lovers (www.longhairlovers.com).  It's a little community for ladies who have or want to have long hair.  I hope I am not getting too personal asking any questions about it, but I'd love to know whether you color your hair at all, if the curls are natural (or do you braid it before bed, as I do), and what kind of products you use as well as any system you
have for taking care of it.
If you don't mind, I'd love to post your answers to my community bulletin board, there are tons of us out here who'd like to know how you take care of such a gorgeous mane.

Sincerely,
Tricia Moszkowicz
A Modern-Day Medieval Gypsy

Dear Tricia,
Thank you for your wonderful words...very much appreciated. You are quite poetic... sounds as if your gypsy spirit is very much alive and well. Keep feeding that fire!
What an interesting question, I don't think I've ever had anyone ask about my hair before... I have had long hair my whole life- the longest it has been is past my waist when I was 12. At that point I made the mistake of cutting 18 inches off of it. Never again! I love having long hair...it is more than just a physical part of you. I think it is a reflection of you and your creative side. I love the femininity of it , the mystery of being able to hide behind it, the different ways to change your whole identity by changing your hair for the day. And feeling the wind blow through your hair or having it adorned by snowflakes or rain really helps you become one with nature. I actually used to do hair shows for Joico (I'd never let them cut it drastically- just a trim and highlight and then they could style it however they wanted. A win-win situation! ) You can see it some of my old modeling pictures how it used to  look when it was all one lenght. My hair is pretty heavy (it really is like a horse tail when put it in a ponytail) and because it is so heavy I usually leave it down. Although I am blonde and always have been my hair turns a darker shade of blonde in the winter so I tend to foil highlight it. I get the ends trimmed about once every 2 months and get the highlighting about 4-5 times a year.  And, yes you are right, to get the waves braid it when it is wet the night before and then sleep on it. I find that if I do only about 6 braids for my whole head, I get the desired openness of the wave I like the best for my look. Normally my hair has a slight wave to it, but its nothing like how I get it when I braid it. My sister got all the strong waves in the family! Because it is heavy I tend to only blow the bangs dry and let the rest of it air dry which is supposed to keep your hair very healthy ; for me that is a great benefit. I really just let it air dry out of laziness, lack of time and to save myself from getting arm cramps- holding that hair dryer up for the amount of time I'd need would just be painful! Although this winter was the first one that I left the house while my hair was wet and the air  was bitterly cold and my hair actually turned to icicles! Very strange... I never use gels, spray or mousse in my hair (although my hairdresser, Gina, gets a little annoyed about that! :) When I have the waves from the braids in I find that I only have to wash it about 3-4  times a week because the waves make it fuller when brushing it out the next day. Also, I love ABBA shampoo (in almond)  and their mint conditioner. They are against animal testing, use only natural products that don't sound like chemicals and I love the way the products make my hair feel. Also the smells are like taking an aromatherapy shower!
Feel free to post this answer on the site www.longhairlovers.com and thanks so much for your question!
Love and light,
Candice

From:   phtmwolf@optonline.net 
To: nightanswers@aol.com   

Hello Candice,
My name is Kara and I would first like to say that you are a very intriguing and beautiful person not to mention your voice is angelic.  I was wondering what inspired the lyrics to Be Mine Tonight.  That song to me is all about what true love should be.  When I first heard that song it just made me believe in the beauty of sharing everything with someone and I hope that I one day experience that kind of love.  I am currently going through a divorce so things have been tough, but I am not going to stop believing.  I hope you and Ritchie continue to keep making beautiful music together.  I love Shadow Of The Moon, it is constantly in my Cd Player.  I dance ballet and one year I did a dance to Spirit Of The Sea.  Thank You for  the beauty, light, and inspiration of your music.

Hello Kara,
Thank you for your letter. How beautiful, I can just imagine your dance to Spirit of the Sea.... I am so glad that you asked about Be Mine Tonight. It is one of my favorites... Be Mine Tonight was written while Ritchie was recording in the studio with Rainbow back in 1995. It was difficult for me to get back to join in the celebration for my parents anniversary so we decided to write them a song. My parents have been married for 38 years and they  still dance together in the kitchen on Sunday mornings while making breakfast. They still sing to each other during long car trips. They have, to my eyes, the perfect
friendship and true love relationship. I have a brother and sister and for all 3 of the "children" - my parents have been and continue to be the backbone of our family. And so, the love that they have, is to me the ultimate in everything love should be. This song was written for them, for their anniversary and for every other day that they have had and continue to have together. It is a tribute to the love that they share and may we all find it someday. They are proof that it exists. Thank you...and keep dancing...
Love and light,
Candice

From: erjent@comcast.net
To: nightanswers@aol.com


Candice,
Before singing, do you recommend any special diet or drinks? Are there foods or drinks you would avoid?
 
Press on,
Eric Jordan
Punta Gorda, Florida

From: BStephen@trianglemfg.com
To: nightanswers@aol.com

Hi Candice
I see the name of the next couple of tours is to be "Ghost of a Rose". Is this the name of a new CD or song to be released? I understand that some new material was to be worked on this past winter. Is a new CD complete or is this the name of the new DVD due for release? Is it still planned to be released? Because then I have to go and buy one of them fancy DVD players. I know that a new cd release would be a bit early since "Past Times..." was just released here in the states in Feb. ( I, of course, have had it since it's initial European release). So... whats up with the "Ghost of a Rose"?
Thanks
Brian Stephen