November 2005

Dearest Candice,

A week ago I went to see Blackmore’s Night in Dinslaken, Germany and I just wanted to let you know that I had a wonderful time! I was amazed by how your voice has developed itself (or I guess YOU must have developed it… ;-) ) I am always in a kind of high, happy state every time I go and see you, and the feeling lasts for days!! Already, I’m looking forward to seeing you in October, here in Holland. There’s a question I wanted to ask you: a song I really love is Sake of the Song. How come you never play it live on stage, and would you consider playing it live? It would make me so happy!! Because it’s such a simple, happy song, and I love those… Hopefully I’ll see you in October

Hello!

Thank you for your compliment... I think that when you sing you are in a constant state of trying to improve and strengthen your instrument. So I am working on it.... and I am glad to see you noticed ;)

It makes me feel so good to know that the positive energy abounds when you come to see us play. I get so brought down by seeing how much anger there is in the music scene today. Don't we have enough negitivity in this world already? I wish more people would spread positive sentiment. Even in every day life, not just on stage. I mean, is it really that hard to compliment or smile at someone? Does it take that much time out of your day to hold a door open as a sign of manners or mutual respect? So, I try to incorporate these things into life and then on stage I just want people to leave there happy....cleansed....emotionally fulfilled. I see through your email that you feel it..... thank you.

We actually did play Sake of Song a few times on stage. Its so funny because its hard to know what songs will work and which ones dont come across as strong. Then which song do you take out and replace with another. I never can make those decisions. So Ritchie decides the set lists based on the audience, the tempos, the keys, even the halls due to the sound quality you get. There is a lot that goes into the decisions nightly, of what will be played and what wont. And now with new songs, some of the older ones get placed on the side a bit. But don't worry. If you yell it during the time we ask for requests... who knows... you may hear it again...

I love that one too....

Thanks for your question!
Love and light,

Candice

Dear Candice,

First of all I would like to congratulate your self & Ritchie on the excellent DVD. Your production team have done a great job. They say something’s are worthwaiting for & this was most definatley worth waiting for.
My 8 year old daughter Iona who is also a big fan of yours has been so inspired by the concert on the DVD that she wants to learn to play instruments like the penny whistle & the fiddle.

We where hoping to take a trip over to Germany for the castle tour this year unfortunately circumstances are not going to allow it this year.
Is there a chance you will be in the UK this year on tour & hopefully north of the border up here in Scotland? I know we don’t have much in the way of great renaissance fairs in Scotland to help entice you here. In fact we are still a bit in the Dark Age when it comes to that kind of thing, but we do have some great castles.

I have started a Blackmore’s Night Scotland online group. I hope if will bring the Scottish fans together & share our love of your wonderful music.

Keep the magic alive

Alan Currie

Hello Alan and beautiful Iona,

I'm so pleased that you enjoyed our DVD. We are very pleased with the way it came out so its always nice to know that you are pleased with it as well.
We did just perform in Scotland at the Queen's Hall and then a number of places throughout England as well. I hope that you were able to catch at least one of our shows...we had such a great time.

I do love going to Scotland...there is such a natural beauty there. One of the greates things is that through the kilts and bagpipes you are keeping tradition alive. So many placesare losing their identity and beginning to look so grey and westernized. All jeans and baseball caps...no personality... But Scotland is one of the places you can go to that are becoming so rare these days ...that are still proud of their heritage so much so that it is entwined in their daily existance. That is beautiful. I think its wonderful that Iona wants to play the pennywhistle or fiddle... you should encourage her. She will find her own path through music....

We just did an interview that was out last week in the Scottish Sun.
Perhaps on our next tour we will venture closer to the northern border... but for now... If you send me the link for your Scottish based Blackmore's Night fan club I would be happy to post it on our site for you. It would be nice for the Scottish fans to have a place to meet...

Love and light,

Candice

Hey Candice

I've been looking at your website and thought I'd ask you a question. My
name's Diane, my boyfriend knows you and you know him (oops sorry he's my
fiance now, must try to remember that)! Anyway, when you playing Scotland
i.e. the nearer to Edinburgh the better. Kevin (my partner) took me to see
BN in 2001, Liverpool, Buxton and York. I was a garb virgin (sorry but
that's not meant to sound iffy)! Anyway, I did dress for the occassion in
Buxton, even if it was frizzy hair weather, nice place but far too wet. And
the last time Kev went to see you was in Edinburgh when our child was 6 days
old - how good am I for allowing him time out and letting several Germans
and Dutch and Swedes live in our flat for the weekend?! Sorry I got that
wrong, that was the second last time he saw you. In fact he didn't see you
at all in Edinburgh because it was cancelled. God I'm confused now. He
actually saw you last in Germany in Abenberg.

Anyway, the question is.... when are you playing Scotland? I would like to come
and see you too and can we bring James, he's gorgeous (that's our child by
the way). Just kiddin'. He'll be 2 in Nov can we bring him to the soundcheck if you're playing?

Well, just thought I'd say hello and hopefully you'll read this and send me
a reply. I did enjoy the gigs I saw - apart from my frizzy hair!!!

Take care, stay well and stay happy.

Diane

Hello Diane,

I do remember your other half! He promised me the whole 1st row was to be filled with men in kilts when we played Scotland! Alas, I was sick the 1st time and we had to cancel...so I was interested to see what he had in store for us this time around. As you know by now, we played Edinburgh last week. And although there were a few kilted ones there... Kevin was not one of them! So, you'll have to get him to dust off his kilt next time we come around. Although I did see him at the show and for the next few night throughout England as well. I looked for you and your friz, but you must've tamed it as I didn't recognize you. Perhaps you were with beautiful James? Anyway, thanks for loaning us Kevin for the shows. He seemed to enjoy himself!

We'll see you next time around...and now that you are no longer a "garb virgin" I expect you'll be in proper attire:)

Much love,

Candice

Hi Ritchie & Candice,

After a few phone calls I found a copy of Castles & Dreams. After driving 43 miles to buy it I watched it and can't tell you enough, how it was worth the wait. The songs are amazing, the footage is amazing and the entire band is amazing. My favorite part is the acoustic chapter. Listening to Ritchie play and Candice sing is fantastic. You wonder to yourself, how could anybody not be listening to this unbelievably beautiful music. : )

See you in December!!!!

P.S. Did Bob ever find his underwear?

Eleana
East Islip

Hello Eleana,

Thank you so much for your comments! Its always wonderful such great feedback. That DVD certainly was a labor of love....

Just to set your mind at ease... yes, Bob found his underwear. Tudor Rose had stolen them off the balcony. She then said that Ritchie made her do it. Ritchie denies the whole thing.

Ah....life on the road....
See you in December!

Love and light,

Candice

Hello Olga,
You are sweet! I can't tell you my real surname because I have a younger sister whom I am very protective of and once someone found out my surname and tracked her down at her school and starte emailing her... It's not that I think you would do that...but you don't know in these crazy days of the veil of the internet who may be hiding. I chose the last name night because Candice is a greek name for light so to complete the balance of light and dark, I chose the mystery of the darkness of night to be ther other half of the spectrum. It is the yin yang of equality and the eternal connection. Now, that side of my family to which you are referring came from Bialystock and a very small village named Tristina which is supposed to be near a very famous forrest, but which I have never been able to find on any map. I fear the village no longer exists...Besides, it was when the borders were inclusive of Prussia so many hings have changed since then. But the interesting thing also is that you have the same last name as our production manager! So, you see, your family may be tied in to my "road family" any way.

Just so you know, though, I feel very connected to the people of Poland since your soil runs through my ancestry and therefore my blood. So, we are family one way or another, after all...

We hope to be back in Poland next year... Hope you can make it then!
Love and light,

Candice