Nice emails - Stern-Pope Files

From: "Richard Fleury" <richard@stonemoor.co.uk>
To: <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
Subject: Bill Hicks UK magazine story
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 22:17:12 +0100

Hi Kevin

My name's Richard Fleury and I'm a writer based in the UK. I'm also a Bill Hicks admirer -- I saw him perform in Brighton not long before he died and his work has influenced me -- and I'd like to think my work -- ever since.

I'm travelling to the U.S. next week to work on some magazine stories and I'm planning to spend a few days in Texas. If you have time, would you like to meet up to talk about Bill's legacy?

I'll be in Texas to research another article for Arena magazine here in the UK. I haven't been commissioned to write a story about Bill but I will talk to the editor before I go. And if he doesn't commission the story..well, I'd like to write it anyway and find a home for it afterwards. I'd really like to write a good, well-researched and sincere piece about Bill -- and not just something based on other writers' cuttings.

Please check out my website at <http://www.thevanishingpoint.net>www.thevanishingpoint.net. I hope you can help -- please let me know. And good luck with your work.

Regards

Richard Fleury

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From: "newton" <newton@debitel.net>
To: <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
Subject: about bill hicks
Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 20:25:26 +0200

Just want to say I've loved (if that's the right word) Bill Hicks since I first saw him on Channel 4 (England). Still not over his death: the very few who have the courage (and wit) to be so honest and clear-seeing seem to have died with him.

I'll leave it at that, you probably can do without yet another tribute to a dead friend!

Rowley Newton

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From: SupakeenAB@aol.com
Date: Fri, 7 Jul 2000 00:04:56 EDT
Subject: young filmmaker asks permission for something...
To: kbooth@austin.rr.com

Dear Mr.Booth:
I'm an aspiring filmmaker in suburban Maryland. I've been working on my
first somewhat serious film this last year, and aside from my super-helpful
girlfriend and average teenage angst, a major inspiration has your brilliant
friend, Bill Hicks. During the beginning of the film, a "complete" man gets
picked off by a divine spirit or some stupid crap like that, and after the
tragedy I wanted to just do a black screen with a blip from Bill's "quiet
loner" track from "Rant In E Minor".
I really don't know exactly what I would do to get permission to use that
kind of thing. However, I don't want to run into legal problems if I try to
run the film online, and therefore I chose to come to you first, with your
access to all that Bill related stuff. Anywho, I thank you very much for
your time, and I hope that you'll respond back in some way, shape, or form.
Thanks again.

Sincerely,
Andrew Bowen.

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From: Igo4laffs@aol.com
Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2000 13:45:20 EDT
Subject: Does Sacred Cow look at scripts?
To: kbooth@austin.rr.com

Dear Mr. Booth

My name is Mark Labozzetta, I am a 16 year old stand up comedian from
Maryland, but based in DC, I am writing a screen play entitled "Jesus: How It
Really Happened" I guess you can call it a sort of mockumentary of Jesus'
life, well I have spent the last two days and about 5 hours writing the first
25 minutes of it, and so far they're pretty solid, as soon as I'm done with
the whole thing I'll simply polish it up a bit.

I really think that the first part of the screen play is well written and
quality (so much that you could never have guessed it was a 16 year old that
wrote it) and I would really like to make the film, and at least submit it to
the festival circuit.

I absolutely love Sacred Cow Productions, whenever I'm online I'm usually
messing around at your site, and I have all of your Bill Hicks CDs except for
Marble Head Johnson, I could go on for pages about how much Bill Hicks has
changed my life and comedy and how much I love Sacred Cow, but I'd rather
keep this short and not bore you

Anyway, my question is, when I'm done with the entire script and have it
edited and looked at by a few well respected comedians and such, and finally
have a final version of it, would it be wrong to send it out to Austin and
have you and your people look at it?

Thank you very much for your time

Mark Labozzetta-You don't know how long I've been formulating in my head what
I was gonna say or write to you if I ever got the chance, or reason

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From: Hvblemur@aol.com
Date: Sun, 16 Jul 2000 12:26:04 EDT
Subject: Put me on the e-mail list and...
To: kbooth@austin.rr.com

Dear Kevin,

You did a great job fixing "Sane Man". I had just about worn out the old
tape in spite of the fuzzy sound. It's also wonderful having the whole show.
Keep up the great work. Bill is still my hero, and I've enjoyed your Velvet
Rut CD.

Heather Butler
Oregon, WI

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From: "Sam Agami" <agami@prodigy.net>
To: <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
Subject: Bill Hicks
Date: Mon, 17 Jul 2000 23:16:42 -0700
X-Priority: 3

<?smaller>Kevin,
I just wanted to write you to thank you for all the wonderful work that you do. My life hasn't been the same since I've discovered Bill's work. I really dig the new message board, I like the focus of the topics. It keeps the discussion from getting too chaotic. I love all the videos I've ordered, and look forward to the Rant sequel.

Later,
Sam Agami
Chesapeake, VA

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From: "Allen, Billy" <Billy.Allen@AniteSystems.com>
To: "'kbooth@austin.rr.com'" <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
Subject: Subscribe to Sacred cow.
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2000 21:59:06 +0100

Kev,

Loved bill hicks, I've got revalations, with the interview with you and i
laughed my balls off, I miss Bill like an old friend he was truly one in a
million. I'd love to meet you one day for a beer and chat about Bill.

Billy Allen

England.

-------------------------------------------

o: Kevin Arthur Edward Jefferson Xavier Melvin Booth XXXVI,
And: Trae Kevin Arthur Edward Jefferson Xavier Melvin Painter Booth (ne'
Lipschitz)
   Greetings. I had every bad intention of E-mailing you last night, but I
became engrossed in a show on datube, in which a group of strangers is thrown
together in a house under constant video scrutiny, right down to but not
limited to going pee's and poo's and midnight boogerflicking. Following that,
the lead story on the local news was about kiddo's standing in line anxiously
awaiting release of a book about hirsute potters or somesuch, with seemingly
more important world news relegated to follow sports. This cheered me up to
such an extent that I felt with tears of joy streaming down my face into my
widely grinning mouth, I really did just have to jump right up and hang
myself from the shower curtain rod! But alas and a laquer, woe and
badtidings was upon me as they just aren't making shower curtain rods like
they used to. Another life saved due to shoddy workmanship. Skip to Saturday.
The view outside my window is of the breaking waves upon the sandy shore.
Several miles away at sea, the smokestream of a large freighter nears it's
vanishing point on the horizon where the sky meets the water in a perpetual
infinity of blue. The ship shrinks to a small speck as I lower the telescope
I had been observing it through, and I allow my thoughts to follow it as long
as it may as the seabreeze blows back my hair. A flock of beautiful white
seagulls swoops and wheel overhead spying the last of my lunch and calling
for a bite, and I gladly tear off a few bits of bread and fling them into the
breeze, where the gulls swoop with a sudden burst of splendid acrobatics to
catch the crumbs in midflight. Which of course was totally fuckin' weird, as
I live in an apartment off of Riverside Drive in the middle of Austin!
     Upon closer examination, the instructions on my bottle of Tylenol#3 with
Codeine state most specifically to take with food and do NOT consume alcohol
with this medication. Well so much for "follows directions on my part!" OOPS!
      Hey Kebbin, I was really picked up after talking with you the other
night, and I E'd to my friend Charlie who is a girl that I have been sportin
mental and physical wood for for quite some time and in just relating some of
the story to her, I found myself unblocking somewhat on how to put into words
some of the reality about you, B.H. and thangs going on. Sometimes it's
hardest to write about that which you are close to, and on the plus side I
have occasional bouts of zero self confidence and sometimes feel I don't
deserve the good things that happen to me, which would be a good thing to
bring up in shrinkage, but they couldn't afford my hourly rates. Anyway, I
just wanted you to know that I intend to try harder to loosen my grip and not
fight the flow when it happens and try to contribute more in thought, word
and deed. I have missed you guy's tremendously, but sometimes spaces occur
so they can be filled better when the time is right. I think back to Dean
Vernon Wormer, who put it so eloqently, "the time has come for someone to put
their foot down. And that foot is me."
         Hope to see ya'll soon, I work 7:30-4:30 at TDH on 49th St., I can be
reached at 458-7111ext2976 . I'm good for visits anynight after work exept
thurs, and of course Sunday mornings, when I like to make an effort to stay
in bed and beat off.
Ah! The Joy of being single! Now where did I put my pills? Time to feed the
seagulls.
                                              "Being a crossdresser in India
means never having to say your sari."
                                                          Toodles. Frederick
P. Shawley-Troell

-------------------------------------------

Reply-To: "Steve Foreman" <sforeman@businesstraveller.com>
From: "Steve Foreman" <sforeman@businesstraveller.com>
To: <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
Subject: merchandise
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2000 12:53:53 +0100
Organization: Perry Publications
X-Priority: 3

<?fontfamily><?param Arial><?smaller>Hi Kevin,

I'm a massive Hicks fan. It's funny how often his quotes are fittng for so many occassions. I'm not so annoying that I do it all the time or anything, but much of his material returns to me like a mantra. Nothing wrong with that, right?

I have a suggestion which may seem pretty ironic in view of Bill's views on marketing.

I, and I'm sure many of my friends (who I've converted) would love to see more T-shirts (like just with shot of Bill that you have on the homepage) and some posters (like that shot of him when he was really young, standing on stage with the mike in flared jeans), postcards etc.

Maybe they exist in the states but I haven't seen any (I live in central London). It's not a word I use, like in that corny Kurt Cobain-Jim Morrison way, but Bill is an Icon. He is an icon to me and I would like to have some pics and posters at work and at home and stuff, just to visually reminding me about the eyes of love and the rollercoaster and all that other brilliant, beautiful,inspiring and not mention halarious stuff.

But hey, let me get paid and I'll buy some stuff anyway.

Good luck with the site and everything, as you can tell I've only just discovered it!

All the best

Steve Foreman (Bill's No.1 English fan)

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From: "Simon Young" <wigglfinger@budapress.com>
To: <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
Subject: your role is essential
Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2000 06:51:03 -0400
X-Priority: 3

Howdy,
I'm not sure if i'm kissing the right ass here, but if this is the address responsable for distributing the Bill Hicks items, your doing god's work.
By the way, on the shipping address the form has my secondary address combined with my primary, and my mailmans not what you'd call the problem solving type. Thanks alot man...

Simon
(Larry A Young)

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From: Duggking@aol.com
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2000 12:55:03 EDT
Subject: Re: Bill Hicks & water rationing
To: kbooth@austin.rr.com

What's up Kev?
   I'm a HUGE fan who lives in NYC; I'm really a Wichita Falls, Texan. I was
wondering how I can get a recording of the Blue Christmas-Charlie Hodge as it
is found on the website. I have a version on one of my CDs but it's not
nearly as clearly understood. I have lots of friends running around saying,
"Charlie Hodge, ladies and gentlemen" who have never heard the routine
before.
   If you're ever in New York, we own a blues bar in the village on Bleecker
Street called Terra Blues. Have one on us anytime.
   -Dugg King

-------------------------------------------

From: Danska@webtv.net
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 00:26:02 -0700 (PDT)
To: kbooth@austin.rr.com
Cc: Danska@webtv.net
Subject: Bill Hicks Video

Kevin:

Thank You so much for notifying me whenever anything on Bill or you come up.

I too, do not understand why they don't release a new Bill video at Christmas. Please let me know about any developments about this for I am ready at all times to buy Bill's contributions to this lovely life.

Again, as always, Thank You for taking time to notify me on anything happening. It's always great to hear from the inner sanctum.

Your a great guy,

John LaGardo

-------------------------------------------

Kevin,

Hey. I don't know if you remember me, but I was at Stratford, class
of '80. I'm Joe Barrus. I had a twin brother Bob Barrus. Anyway,
our 20 year reunion is this summer. I see you went to yours last
year. I have never had any interest in reunions, but I think this
will be wierd but fun. Anyway, it got me all nastalgic and all and I
was thinking of Bill, thus my finding your websites, etc. I was
surprised at what is out there about Bill. I guess you would be
responsible for a lot of it. Good work. I was wondering if you were
going to do anything for or about Bill for his graduating class? It
would seem incomplete if there wasn't any tribute to him.

I was looking at your Stratford tribute to celebreties. I knew
about Clint Black, but I could never remember meeting him. How long
was he at Stratford? Didn't he also go to Spring Forest? I knew he
hung out with some of my friends at the time. I was looking at your
picture of him in the skateboard club and saw that Darby Walden was
in there. Darby was probably my best friend after I went to college
at Rice until he was killed in an accident I think in '82. It was
nice to see that picture. Where did you get it?

Anyway, keep up the good work with your websites. Hope to hear back from you.

later,

Joe
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Date: Sat, 10 Jun 2000 04:35:13 +0200 (CEST)
From: Øyvind Valstadsve <praxiz@nvg.ntnu.no>
To: Kevin Booth <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
Subject: Thank you

Hey

My name is Øyvind Valstadve, and I'm from Norway. About 5 years ago, I started talking to people on the internet, and this one guy, James Birch, from London, told me about Bill Hicks. He sent me a copy of some of Bill Hicks' best shows.

I'm not going to waste your time, I'm just going to tell you that your mailinglist is the ONLY malinglist I'm on. I really look forward to every mail you send to us recipients.

I listen to Bill Hicks all the time, and I try to live by his word, although I know that that is contrary to his belief.

I started writing a book a few days back, and I'm doing pretty well, actually. The reason why I'm telling you this is that a lot of the thoughts I have, that i write about, is based on some of the things Bill Hicks has said.

I want to apologise to you, very seriously. I am a student, and.. well.. I dont know what you know about the life of a student in Norway, but even if you get a "scholarship" you still have to worry about affording a dinner the next day. What i wanted to say is that I have downloaded pirate copies of Bill Hicks' CD off the internet. I love bill hicks, but I'm poor. If you wish to press charges against me i'm going to accept that.

Anyway, I hope that you'll keep sending out emails to us faithful listeners as often as you can.

Kevin, if you would visit Norway for a weekend, you could live for free at my place, in Trondheim and i'd cook for you - free. I want to have a night out on the town with someone that i can talk to, who really understood Bill. I've tried to tell people about him, but im obviously not much of a speaker.

Anyway, I promised to make this short, didn't i? :)

Im going to finish my bottle of wine now, write a bit more in the chapter

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From: Chris Wood <ChrisW@SQUASH.CO.UK>
To: "'Kevin Booth'" <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
Subject: RE: Sane Man
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 15:00:47 +0100

Good stuff.

Bill's drug material helped me out the other day. I had a bad smoking
experience - I got the fear - and one thing that got me through was memories
of Bill talking about being high. That turned it into a pleasant experience
once I could move again. My third eye is wide open, and although it was
pretty frightening at first I can now relate to those ideas he had about
planets. My head felt like the centre of an orbit and parts of me extended
into the atmosphere of the room. I had never been that high, and once I'd
got over the initial anxiety it was pretty damn good, but if I did it very
often I'd be a nervous wreck.

Any news on a fifth Bill CD, or the rumoured film? And have you co-operated
with the biography due out soon?

Cheers

Chris Wood

-------------------------------------------

Date: Wed, 05 Apr 2000 16:31:08 -0700
From: "Glenn Raucher" <Glenn@carterandcarter.com>
To: <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
Subject: What? Another?!

I've received the 2nd set of Hicks vids; I've mailed them to a good
friend in Portland, who'll be sending me the $41.99, which I will
then forward to you.

One question--is there any existing, releasable video from the
Arizona Bay/Rant in E-minor era? I was thinking about how the Zappa
family was handling Frank's posthumous releases, the care and the
detail they put into it, and wondered if you had any thoughts about
getting as much of Bill's quality material, recorded and visual out?
I know there's a quantitative issue here; Zappa's music varied so
much, even from concert to concert, and while Bill wasn't hidebound
as far as his own "material," I can see where repetition might damage
the quality-control...

If you've got a moment, let me know; as always, be well...

Glenn Raucher

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From: "Parsells, Jody [OCDUS]" <JParsell@ocdus.jnj.com>
To: "'kbooth@austin.rr.com'" <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
Subject: You're Wrong Night
Date: Tue, 4 Apr 2000 08:14:19 -0400

Hello Kevin,
I am a big fan of Bill. I truly appreciate your work as well. I think the production of Arizona Bay and Rant in E-Minor are both dead on. I remember seeing on the old site a challenge to find out what is being backmasked on the Rant album. I can't pretend it was all that hard to figure out, all I did was pop the CD into my DVD player, which plays the
audio at any speed in either direction. I was actually hoping for a new line, but "Our third eye was squeegied quite cleanly." is a good one to have hidden. Anyway, I didn't even know who Bill was until long after he was gone and that makes me quite sad. Will there be another CD or anything coming out ever? Hope to hear an answer and thanks for the stuff that isalready out there.

Jody Parsells

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From: "Dermot" <quinland@indigo.ie>
To: <kbooth@eden.com>
Subject: bill hicks question
Date: Tue, 4 Apr 2000 10:20:41 +0100

Hi,
My brother and I live in Dublin, Ireland and are huge Hicks fans,However, living where we live we don't tend to get much information and i haven't been able to find the answers to these on the web.
I am sorry to bring up such a painful subject but i just wanted to ask you:

What ever happened on that David Letterman show, what did Bill say?

and secondly:

I know he died of cancer, but what happened, how and where did he die, did he collapse or die peacefully.

I would much appreciate a response and know that Bills influence has had a huge effect on my way of thinking and my intelligence.
Thank you

Linda Quinlan

-------------------------------------------

From: Natasean@aol.com
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 11:34:15 EST
Subject: had to write someone
To: kbooth@eden.com

Dear Kevin,

I write to you having only known Bill Hicks from his hillarious and insightfull comedy.To know this unique individual as a friend was I'm sure your good fortune.I only found out about Bill's illness and death last year.Let me just say out of hundreds of comics over the years only a few stand out and to me Bill was the best.I've recently started buying his cd's and I drive to work and back laughing out loud all alone. I must look like a fucking idiot but that
makes it even funnier.I guess I'm writing to tell you i'm sorry you lost such a good friend but I'm even more sorry for those who never got to see or hear Bill perform.

one of the wining maggots

David Collins

natasean@aol.com

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Date: Wed, 05 Apr 2000 17:41:51 -0500
Subject: question and comments regarding bill hicks
From: Brad Keefe <duckbill@frognet.net>
To: <kbooth@eden.com>

Mr. Booth,

I am a journalism student from Ohio University and wanted to take an
opportunity to thank you for your effort in preserving (and spreading)
Bill's memory and his work. Like many others, I got my introduction to Bill
through Tool and was fortunate enough to get the Rycodisk releases. I am
constantly impressed with his incomparable ability to make me laugh and at
the way he was able to force the audience to wrap their minds around his
amazing ideas and philosophies. I'm sure Bill is looking down on us from
heaven, laughing at the silly little mess we've made and hoping we someday
get it right.

I'm also a part of that veritable army that tries to spread his message of
love and compassion (even if the means involve strapping friends to a chair
Clockwork-Orange style and forcing them to listen to Bill whether they want
to or not). Everyone I've shared this with joins me in my amazement at the
simplicity and beauty of his ideas.

I'm also writing with a question, a silly, trivial question, but still the
sort of thing that keep one up at night. At the end of the Tool track,
"Disgustipated," there is a sermon-like rant involving the sanctity of
carrot-life (a seemingly obvious jab at the radical Pro-Life movement, in my
opinion). My question, if it isn't inherently obvious already, is simple. Is
that Bill? The content sounds completely in line with his style and it would
be difficult to convince me that the voice isn't Bill's, but I just wanted
some confirmation. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I also wanted to let you know that, with your kind permission, I would like
to put a link to billhicks.com on my website. It's a simple site, basically
just an archive of my opinion columns from the local paper for my friends
around the country. Not many people wander by, but if they did I'd like them
to check out his work.

Again, thanks.

Brad Keefe

-------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2000 13:19:37 -0700 (PDT)
From: Chris Osborn <irishsponge@yahoo.com>
Subject: Bill's Albums
To: kbooth@austin.rr.com

Kevin,

I just wanted to drop you a line and say thank you for keeping the spirit of Bill alive. I understand you and he were very good friends and I think it's great that you do what you do. His albums and the Sane Man video have been great sources of inspiration for me and I use his performances not only for entertainment purposes but as learning sources as well. I was wondering if there possibly will ever be anymore of these albums released in the future and if so, when? Once again I thank you for doing all of this and I hope you continue. Also the fact that Sacred Cow is based out of my home town make the whole thing seem even cooler. So anyway, keep it up and if you could let me know of any new releses in the future I would appreciate it.

-------------------------------------------

From: Steve Daljev <SDaljev@worldaccess.com>
To: "'kbooth@austin.rr.com'" <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
Subject: Keeping the myth of truth alive!!!!!
Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2000 13:09:53 -0400

That's what the man was about wasn't he??? Truth...in advertising, in
politics, in film, in music, and in your own life...Never letting the
bullshit think it's won. Always staying one step ahead of media hype. He saw
things in their most honest light , and he thrived on shining that light in
our faces until our eyes bled from the truth....I say myth of truth because
who actually knows what the truth is anymore???? Bill told his versions of
the truth better and with bigger balls than anyone...I miss his commentary
and would have loved to experience his take on the latter half of the
1990s....The man is very missed and very underappreciated , even by some
very hardcore comedy fans,who just haven't taken the ride with
Beelzebozo....!!!!!
I try to educate the masses whenever they're willing to listen...
Thanks for the site, and the forum...

Steve Daljev

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From: "Doug Hawthorn" <doug@liketelevision.com>
To: <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2000 13:45:41 -0400
X-Priority: 3

Kevin, if this is the second time you've gotten this....forgive me....if not,

My name is Doug Hawthorn. I am currently the chief creative officer at LikeTelevision, an internet start-up offering broadband entertainment for the rapidly expanding base of DSL and cable modem users. We are currently serving up over a million videos per month using the RealNetworks technology and have been doubling every month since Sept. of '99. We are not aggregators. All videos on our site are encoded from the highest quality source material available with the utmost TLC using our patent applied for technology at no less than 220 kbps in a 352x240 pixel window giving the end user an experience that is surprisingly "like television".

That out of the way, let me get on to the reason I am contacting you.

Being a 48 yr. old father of six with a background in music performance, engineering and production I became enthralled with the comedy of Bill Hicks back in '92-'93 when I saw his first HBO special. His views on politics, society and morality seem to be (at least to me and my family) the stuff needed to offset the negative effects that the traditional media and political correctites are having on us and our gullible fellow human beings and the sad fact that Bill is no longer able to physically deliver his message should not diminish those healing possibilities. 'Nuff said there.

We (liketelevision) are highlighted on RealNetworks' "Take 5" push program two to three times per week and have been approached by the content collectors at Real to produce programming that responds to world current events in a timely and irreverent fashion ala the Daily Show. On many occasions when writing bits along these lines, the words of Bill rise up and ring like a bell as the absolute correct response to the stupidity that we as thinking people are forced to endure.

What I would like is to obtain the rights and a good source tape (beta or S) to as many Bill Hicks audio/video properties as possible to be used in LikeTelevision's said productions. These productions would be made available free of charge to over 100 million realplayers worldwide in a very high-profile fashion with links on the player itself to go purchase Bill Hicks merchandise and contribute to his foundation. On demand 24/7.

I am aware that strategies are already in place to try and achieve a higher visibility for Bill and his message and have been to the main site many times. I have been to the playboy site several times but have been unable to see a video yet. When you go to our site, <http://www.liketelevision.com>liketelevision.com, with a broadband connection, however, you will see the future of audio/video on the internet.

Please forgive my verbosity but this is something I am very passionate about. You may not be the person I need to be talking to but your closeness to Bill and his ideals seemed a good place to start.

Consider this project if you have the time and please respond even if it's to tell me that I'm insane and should seek professional help.

Sincerely,

Doug Hawthorn

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Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2000 10:34:30 +1000
From: Reid Lindsay <reid.lindsay@studentmail.newcastle.edu.au>
Subject: Bill Hicks on Australian radio
To: kbooth@eden.com
Organization: University of Newcastle

I was just listening to Triple J (Australian youth radio station) and
they did a short piece on the upcoming Melbourne Comedy Festival. They
were discussing comedy with a few "comedy experts" and at one stage when
they were discussing the differences between American, British and
Australian humour they played about a 1 minute Bill Hicks clip: "Drugs
have done good things for us..." and did a short profile of his life. It
was only a short segment but it's great to hear Bill getting some
recognition down here, where he is not heard very often.

Just thought you might be interested.

Reid
reid.lindsay@studentmail.newcastle.edu.au

-------------------------------------------

From: "Vincent McGovern" <VINCENTMcGOVERN@tishbite.freeserve.co.uk>
To: <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
Subject: RANT - a play about Bill Hicks
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2000 23:13:04 +0100

Dear Kevin Booth,

I remember watching a television show a few years ago, which was screened as part of the Montreal Comedy Festival. One comedian stood out from the others like a good deed in a naughty world. I was totally blown away by Bill Hicks and his unique style of comedy.

I was genuinely shocked when I heard of his death, which seemed to leave so much unfinished and too much unsaid. For once, Bill's timing was off. It was not just his humour that appealed to me; it was his insight and his humanity. I think this is why the gap he left cannot be filled. In an attempt to understand this loss and as a genuine tribute to his singular vision, I have written a play about Bill Hicks' life and work, called RANT.

Although I have used real events in the play, the rest is an imagined reconstruction of Bill's last few months. I have based some of the dialogue on actual interviews Bill gave, and I have included some of his material and stand-up routines. As well as giving the play some artistic authenticity - hopefully it also gives a flavour of what it was like to watch Bill perform.

I sent a synopsis of my play to a small theatre here in London, and they are very interested in it. However, they cannot take it any further at this stage unless I can confirm that I am not infringing any copyright laws by quoting directly from Bill's material.

I am, therefore, asking if there is any way you could spare the time to perhaps read the play and decide if I have infringed any copyright laws regarding the material. If this is not something you can deal with, perhaps you could suggest who I should contact with regard to the above.

I would very much like you to read the play regardless of any copyright issue, as I understand you like to see any new material on Bill. My play is a sensitive, and I hope, truthful portrait of Bill and I would truly value any comments you might wish to offer about the content.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would be willing to read my play, or if there is anything further you would like to know about it.

Even if my play does not go any further, for whatever reason, I have learned a great deal through writing it, and it has been a pleasure to work so closely with the material that made Bill Hicks such a revered and culturally important figure.

With Kind Regards,

Vincent McGovern.

-------------------------------------------

From: ahossaini@oxygen.com (Ali Hossaini)
To: "Kevin Booth" <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
Subject: RE: Thanks for your Order!
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 16:50:12 -0500

hey, i ordered 2 copies of ninja bachelor party a few weeks ago. why?
because i gave my only copy to a young robutussin addict who is living in--
i shit you not-- korea.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kevin Booth [mailto:kbooth@austin.rr.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 1999 5:30 PM
> To: Ali Hossaini
> Subject: RE: Thanks for your Order!
>
>
>
> Korea to Clarence

-------------------------------------------

From: stinkyhanglow@webtv.net
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2000 00:26:44 -0500 (EST)
To: kbooth@austin.rr.com
Subject: 3rd eye???????

are u the k.booth god's (read bill) friend? bill changed my life & i MEAN THAT SHIT. all b-s aside i think of bill 10 times a day--at least & i don`t think of my dad that much. i`m not a passer-by ------my 3rd eye is squeegied,i do see through their bullshit`in lies . i live in NC land of jessie helms & i need my thumbs so i can eat my snickers and eat my coke. what do you think bill would say about the monica and clinton mishap? send me a message if you get a chance.

-------------------------------------------

X-Sender: acherry@mail.surfside.net
Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 00:20:47 -0800
To: kbooth@austin.rr.com
From: amy <acherry@net999.com>
Subject: eulogy

kevin
again, thanks for the links i enjoy every one you forward to me and im lucky to be on your list. i took some time to read your brother's eulogy. did you write it? it was well worded and stirred an interest in me that reaches farther than bill. i know what its like to have someone profound touch my life and to have them leave before their time and what amazes me is that you pulled through one sad event back to back with something just as tragic. so..just a thought and i hope you find yourself stronger after
the dealings life hands out. keep up the web page i get much from it. by the way...my favorite ice cream is Cherry Garcia...
amy

-------------------------------------------

From: "Stuart Weiselberg" <sweiselb@email.msn.com>
To: <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
Subject: Hicks tribute at Syracuse University
Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 02:13:31 -0500

Mr. Booth,

First off, I want to get the big ass-kissing paragraph out of the way before I get to the meat of what I'm writing to you about. I think the work you've done with Bill Hicks' words is amazing. There is so much to this comic genius that I have grown to love. I own each of the CDs that were produced, and I listen to them a lot.

This is going to sound really ridiculous and far-fetched, and I totally understand if you neg me on it, but I am proposing to do a one man show at Syracuse University/Syracuse Stage using Mr. Hicks' material. In essence, I want to BECOME Bill Hicks for the benefit of this show.

Now before you run off to call the Looney bin, let me brief you on what I want to accomplish. I am currently a Junior Acting Major at Syracuse University. Having studied Acting for the past two and a half years, I have grown very discontented with the material being performed at my Drama Department (Vagina plays and women's lib plays and bullshit like that). I want to bring it back to the basics. I want to make people aware of the comic genius of Bill Hicks. I plan to take the goofy-ass Nicholas Cage approach to acting (Which I abhor with all my heart) and study the man, Bill Hicks. Everything, do a complete character study on the man and then perform his material for an audience.

Please don't write me off. I have been thinking long and hard about approaching someone to do this kind of thing (3 years I've been thinking about it). And finally, now I have the resources to make a go for it. To bring these bored theatergoers something that won't tire them out or stick to convention. Something they have never experienced before, and something
I they need to recognize. The man was a genius, no doubt, and I want these morons at Syracuse with their little vagina plays and their sheltered MTV views to experience what true feeling and truth telling are.

I look forward to hearing from you,
Michael Weiselberg
-------------------------------------------

Kevin

I'm staying with my brother this weekend at his university, I don't have a computer so it's one of the rare chances I get to have a look at the internet. Anyways I was having a look for some stuff on Bill and I came across your site.
I guess I just want to thank you for keeping Bill's work out there. I was and always will be a fan. We may have lost Bill in body, but his spirit is still around us. When I see stuff about Bill, the word preacher is never far behind. I guess people like it because it means they can categorize him, put him in a neat little box. But it's just a label, Bill's power was to tell the truth and that is all that matters.
Me, well I try and live up to that, try and be who I want to be, not who I think I should be - but its hard not to end up a "waffle waitress"

Thanks for your time

Sandra Hayes, aka Tranquilflower

-------------------------------------------

From: "Andrew McIntosh" <amcintosh@eircom.net>
To: "Kevin Booth" <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
Subject: Just to say
Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 11:47:32 -0000

I got all the videos I ordered really quickly from you guys and am delighted with them. Sane Man particularly is great.

Something you might be interested in putting up on one of the sites is this link to a Noam Chomsky archive which is really interesting - I know Bill was into Chomsky and this might encourage people to explore his stuff:-

<http://www.zmag.org/chomsky/index.cfm>www.zmag.org/chomsky/index.cfm

Once again thanks - keep up the good work.

Andrew McIntosh - Dublin.

PS: Have you any plans to make available the Austin Tribute to Bill on video?

-------------------------------------------

From: "Benjamin Cogan" <laydeeezman@hotmail.com>
To: kbooth@austin.rr.com
Subject: Mr Hicks and last Saturday...
Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 16:27:31 GMT

Kevin,

Just to let you know that 26th February 2000 was remembered in Brighton, England, with an drug induced remembrance that included Revelations, Relentless and Sane Man. We listened and laughed.

I know that these types of emails from fans of Bill must fuck you off, but I have an sadness about the man's absence on this planet that I don't really know where to put. Since being introduced to his comedy all other comedians appears banal, cautious and limited.

I went to the Comedy Store in Leicester Square, London, last week and witnessed a collection of 'Government approved' material that did not cause me to question or address anything that I didn't already know. I miss Goatboy, I miss the verbal abuse of marketed bands who sing about image and not from their hearts, I miss an objective stand point on drugs, I miss hearing the truth about things that Governments have decided it would be better if I wasn't told about in order of the states' benefit-a state that THEY are running...

I hope you understand where this coming from and are not reaching for the phone or a gun to protect yourself from a fanatic Hicks fan from England...

It's just a ride...

Ben
-------------------------------------------

To: kbooth@austin.rr.com
Subject: Hell I don't know, just hoping you read it.
Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 01:21:27 GMT

K. Booth,

I have never written to you before. I guess because I do not know precisely what in the hell to say to you. You knew on a personal level a man that I only know through his artistic expression. A man we both respect but that you loved. I have never held a lot of respect for people that mourn the loss of a pop idol as if it were someone that they could have loved, because I believe that that kind of sentiment devalues humanity. I cant say right now why I feel that way but I do. It's curious, it seems to me like the same people that are capable of that kind of sentiment are the same ones that cannot quite grasp the fact that as humans we should love everyone that is a part of this strange game. Like their love is only good enough for the lady Di's and JFK's of this world. Well fuck them. I want you to know that although I will not proclaim to love Bill like he was my best friend, I can say with an easy heart that I know his time on this planet made it a better place for me, and that I hold the greatest reverence for him as a human being, and I thank you for keeping his thoughts and his message alive and out there for people
to hear, see, read, and hopefully appreciate. Bill had a good friend in you, and he always will. Not Idol worship, just the respect that everyone with open eyes deserves.

With appreciation
-------------------------------------------

Delivered-To: fixup-kbooth@eden.com@fixme
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 17:23:24 -0700
From: michael <weasle@ooz.net>
To: kbooth@eden.com
Subject: Bill Hicks

Kevin,

     I just wanted to say a bit about Bill. He is definitely one of the "craziest" (can't come up with a better word) people I have ever heard in my life. The first time I heard Bill was at the beginning of tool's song Ænima, in which Bill makes several comments about the War on Drugs and it's complete ineffectiveness. Not knowing who the man was that was making these abnormally intelligent comments, I turned to the Internet. That's how I found Bill. My life hasn't been the same since. I can
only compare the experience to taking LSD ; you will never think the same about anything ever again. Bill has completely changed my outlook on drugs, God, Jesus, and our wonderful national government *snicker*. He is a genius ; it matters not that he doesn't physically exist with us anymore, but his ideas and his spirit live on.
     I've always seen comedy as being somewhat shallow entertainment. You pay way too much money to see some guy on the stage crack jokes about the locals and complain about airline assistants. Bill complained about rock stars who do sexual favors for Satan, government officials who did the same, and religious leaders who are clearly exercising their faith.
     Bill, as I understand (I did not know him personally), was a man who acted as he spoke. He will be missed.

-------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 02:06:02 -0800 (PST)
From: "M. Seman" <jonzer@u.washington.edu>
To: kbooth@eden.com
Subject: hey

hey..

thanks man..

part of what I love about bill hicks comedy is that the truth he spoke was in every part his life. you're a cool fuckin friend. the best. thanks for the site bro.

mike
-------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2000 02:16:56 -0800 (PST)
From: MARCUS CHAPMAN <marcus_chapman26@yahoo.com>
Subject: I want the one night stand HBO special on Bill Hicks
To: kbooth@eden.com

Hi Kevin,,,,,you were great in Ninja Bacholor party,,,,,I laughed my fucking dick off,,,,,anyway,,,,,I'm looking for Bill's later shit,,,,,,,,including that bad-ass HBO special,,,,,,,,any info would be appreciated,,,,thanks. Oh and by the way ,,,,congratulations on that TOOL platinum disk or whatever the hell it is,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,TOOL is the coolest fucking band in the planet and even more so for recognizing what your doing to keep up the good work,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,keep the fire alive,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,signed marcus chapman
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, marcus_chapman26@yahoo.com
-------------------------------------------

Monday February 21 2000
>Dear Kevin,
> Thanks for your reply. I am briefly back home in England, Manchester. My knowledge of Bill's work goes back to when I first heard of him in the early 90`s. He, to me has been the only comedian to truly transcend his art, pretty much like Hendrix did. From an Englishman's perspective it is also interesting to observe the dynamics of the pair of them`s relationship with England and their ` motherland, with respect to their career`s.
>As you know, Hendrix was enticed over to London under the pretense of meeting Clapton. He subsequently became recognised on the circuit and was essentially thought of as an English artist by a large percentage of the audience. He was sold to America on the strength of his success. Within my circle of friends, colleagues, students etc Bill is revered for his comic genius, bravery, honesty, intelligence and his willingness to experience truth. Recently, I was in Thailand and I met a load of guys from the USA [aged 25-35] and none of them had heard of Bill. I knew about the media agenda of ostracising Bill from Mainstream folk who might wake up to a percentage of the truth that they were inadvertantly consuming [that reminds me-Gladiators is on in a moment and I really love those retards] Bill, like Hendrix, achieved massive notoriety on the English circuit and although because he was dealing with a spoken medium ,people didn't think of him as an English artist, I know he was embraced by empathetic kindred spirits from all over the more open-minded population. We never really got the chance to sell him to America but I know how much impact he would have. I believe he was about to host a confrontational show for TV over here .I recently had the honour of meeting Pete Shotton-ex Quarreyman and Apple records chief. We were talking and I said to him that I thought Lennon [who he knew all his life] was one of the bravest individuals to have walked the planet. The other guy that came 2 mind was Bill. By the way, Im a musician with my own studio and record label. The stuff you and Bill did was cool- cant beat a strat 4 warm tones. I also used 2 be in a band managed by the English funnyman Eddie Izzard - he did a bit on the tribute 2 Bill made by Channel 4. Anyway-Im back in Thailand in a month 2 play some Guitar 4 all da lovely laydeez and 2 kick back in a Buddist country.It beats the shit out of living in the often cynical West all the time. Take it easy man-respect and love-
>Tim [ timsoya@YAHOO.COM]

-------------------------------------------

Sunday, February 20 2000
BILL MADE THE UNFUNNY DEALABLE. HIS GREATEST GIFT FOR ME, ANYWAY.
HOW ABOUT DAVID SEDARIS? CHRIS ROCK? THEY CAN MAKE ME LAUGH PRETTY GOOD, BUT NOT LIKE BILL. THEY ALMOST PULL IT OFF. THERE'S NOBODY ELSE TO CARRY THE TORCH? SAD, INDEED. I'VE GOT TO GET THOSE WACO REPORTS Y'ALL DID.
WHAT ABOUT THOSE FUN LOVING COPS IN LA AND NEW YORK? IF THAT DOESN'T INSPIRE RAGE IN THE CULTURE I GUESS WE'LL GET WHAT WE DESERVE. WHY DIDN'T HITLER DRINK WHISKEY? IT MADE HIM MEAN.
CHRIS BOPST

-------------------------------------------

To: <mailto:kbooth@austin.rr.com>kbooth@austin.rr.com
Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2000 10:37 PM
Subject: Hi Kevin.

Hey Kevin, a tough time of year is approaching and I wanted to say something positive. Bill had the biggest influence on my life since Jerry Garcia, and I will be forever grateful to have had his presence in my life. I never got to see Bill, which I regret, but his impact upon me is none the lesser. I have friends who got into the Grateful Dead only after Jerry passed into the next world and regret never seeing him (Jerry) perform. There are MANY who keep Jerry's memory alive thru the music so I just wanted to say thank you for keeping Bill's memory alive with all the great things you've done. I will NEVER forget either of them. I'm listening to Rant right now, and thinking of you and your great loss. I will be there in spirit on the 26th. Again, many heartfelt thanks to you. Keep up the great work.

Your friend,
Dennis McCarty
<mailto:Dennis_McCarty@email.msn.com

-------------------------------------------

From: Daricker3@aol.com
>Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2000 16:20:41 EST
>Subject: Thank you
>To: kbooth@austin.rr.com
>
>I am huge fan of Stand up comedian's since I was 6 years old and heard Bill Cosby do Moses on an old record. I was first introduced to Bill Hicks' brilliance by stumbling across his documentary on PBS. A pure miracle since I was probably 18 at the time, so you can imagine how much PBS I watched. Needles to say I watched and didn't blink. I was hooked, I asked everyone I knew if they had ever heard of him, I had to get as much of his material that I could get my hands on. I cane up empty handed. I couldn't even get a copy of the documentary from PBS, I got a line of BS from PBS, go figure. Anyway, again by pure fluke I stumbled upon the Relentless CD and almost lost my mind. Even better than the CD was the fact that there were 3 more out there that I could get my hands on. I have recently found your site, and Damn if I didn't hit the motherload. I can't extend my gratitude enough, other than I guess to buy up everything you have to offer. Thank you for keeping Bill's voice alive for those of us who were not privileged enough to see him when he was alive.
>
>David Rudd

-------------------------------------------

>Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2000 09:20:12 -0500 (EST)
>From: Ryan McNeill <son@arches.uga.edu>
>X-Sender: son@arch14.cc.uga.edu
>To: Kevin Booth <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
>Subject: Re: B Hicks
>
>
>I love the new clips and video on your website. I see that Tool has really been influenced by Bill, and has written several songs in tribute. I had also written a song about Bill, well almost 5 years ago. I was in a
>band in Athens, Ga (not as cool as Austin so I've been told but still a Mecca for the college bands) Anyway . . . the band split up 3 years ago. . . and I have this song (on a CD no less) that I wish someone could do
>something with. If you would like a copy (or 20 . . .use the CD's as coasters . . . I do) please let me know where I could send you one. If you feel that its worth a damn, pass it on. I wrote the song after seeing
>"It's Just a Ride" off of a video tape (Brother recorded it off of Comedy Central).
> Inspiring
>
>I'm not looking to solicit the song commercially to you . . . I just thought it might be worth listening to . . . or keeping water rings off of the coffee table.
>
>Ryan

-------------------------------------------

From: "Set Free" <set@zoom.co.uk>
To: <kbooth@eden.com>
Subject: My thoughts of Bill
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2000 20:25:06 -0000

I wrote a poem for this great man, as he personally 'helped' me through a very traumatic episode of my life. Through listening to his recorded voice it was like almost every fear and pain I experienced was shaken from me. I must also Thank you for continuing this work and for your devotion to the subject. I'm sure he was an amazing friend and if this sounds kinda, crap or like I'm an obsessive, then forgive me, I just had to 'respond' to my feelings.

Please read this poem that I wrote, and maybe let me know what you think. If you could pass it on to his parents, I would be obliged. They must be so proud.

JUST A MAN IN BLACK

I thought you were a god, when I saw you on the stage,
Your silky tongue spewed forth words, tempered with a rage,
You were the prophet of the people, who watched it all,
Overseeing destruction as the world began to fall.

You were called on high, i guess you had to go,
Through a cloud of smoke, i hear 'i told you so',
Lay it on the line let the whiners whine,
It's their own problem, not yours or mine,

You never knew my name but i loved you just the same,
Don't treat life so seriously, for it is just a game,
I was in my darkest moment, devoid of strength and power,
You gave me a sense of thinking, in a world turned so sour.

Look through eyes you've never used before,
See the truth for what it is, not what they say it's for,
You watched as i fell, and you caught me without a sound,
Hey there bro you're one of us, don't let it get you down.

You were a master of your own darkness, never short of things to say,
Angry with this life, and all of it's decay,
You were so much more, than an ordinary man,
Why your life was cut so short, i'll never understand.

<?smaller>set

<mailto:set@zoom.co.uk>set@zoom.co.uk

THE FRUIT CELLER

<http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Marathon/1637/

-------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------

>Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2000 19:34:35 -0500
>From: "Steve E. Ojane" <seojane@earthlink.net>
>Reply-To: seojane@earthlink.net
>Organization: S E O Graphic Communications
>To: kbooth@eden.com
>Subject: Bill thoughts
>
>Hi Kevin, I wanted to drop you a line on and off for a long time but never got around to it, so forgive this letter if it's a bit long, but it's the culmination of many assorted thoughts and questions. I've got all the Bill material I have ever been able to get my hands on and he has ruined other Comedians for me. I love Bill's style, delivery, and thoughts. I can never again listen to the typical "a guy walks into a bar with a duck on his head..." comedy BS jokes. You were right when you first posted Rant on your site as it is absolutely the best. I love the way you worked in the music. Both Rant and Arizona Bay are great, but Rant flows like a classic music album that you love. It's the same in the way that you can listen to it a million times and it's like you're waiting for your favorite memorable vocal bit or guitar riff to come up. I know every bit that comes up but I still hear an occasional inflection in Bill's voice that conveys just a bit more than I might have gotten out of it before. Straight or buzzed, it always works. Thanks so much for keeping his words alive. You've done some truly great work. I wish Bill was here today to comment on the ongoing stupidity of the world and offer his take on things. Thanks for posting the Goat Boy Real Audio bit. It sounded pretty much like Revelations. Was it anything more than that, or just straight from the video soundtrack? Good listening either way. I was also wondering if there is a Bill poster in the works. You mentioned that a while back.
>I have a small studio I just built in my basement and it's got a very retro 70s look to it, partially by design, partially by accident, but it is an excellent place to hang weather I'm recording or not. Actually it's a pretty
>frighteningly accurate recreation of my high school bedroom, all posters from that era, etc. What would round it off perfectly would be a big ass poster of Bill smack dab in the middle. Let me know if you think that might happen some time. I'll be the first one on that list. I was also curious about Marble Head. Is that Bill singing
>lead on everything? Pretty fun record. One final thought, sort of a sensitive one. I was wondering if you thought there might be anything to the idea that the government had a hand in taking Bill out. I'm not a conspiracy nut by any stretch, but it seems sort of coincidental that someone as young as Bill acquired such an odd cancer. His open vocal opinion was certainly one the government would not like to become popular opinion. (Like he said, what would it do to the economy?) I mean I doubt there's anything to it, it is a bit extreme I know, but I was wondering what your thoughts were. I don't mean to be morbid or anything so I'm sorry if it's a touchy subject. Anyway, thanks again for all your work to keep Bill's message alive. It has helped squeegee my third eye. Best of luck with your music and family,
>Steve

>X-Sender: richie.evans@maeve.aerlingus.ie
>Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 13:47:06 +0000
>To: kbooth@austin.rr.com
>From: Richie Evans <richie.evans@aerlingus.ie>
>Subject: Bill Hicks
>
>Hi,
>I've been a fan of Bill since I saw him for the first and only time in Dublin Ireland about 7 1/2 years ago (I think). I've got the CDs and videos etc and really do my best to keep his message alive. I don't know how many times I've listened to those CDs. I've passed them around and now most of my friends really appreciate what Bill did. I've bookmarked a few sites in the past but just now I decided to take a chance with BillHicks.com and I've come up trumps. If you have a mailing list I'd really appreciate it if you would add me to it.
>Thanks,
>Richie.

>Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2000 21:20:54 -0600
>To: kbooth@austin.rr.com
>From: Kevin Booth <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
>Subject: Fwd: I HAVE FOUND YOUR SITE, LIFE IS COMPLETE & I CAN DIE A HAPPY
> MAN!
>>From: MBasch1706@aol.com
>>Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2000 00:02:30 EST
>>
>>Hello Kevin:
>>
>>Just a short note to say thanks for keeping the memory of Bill Hicks alive (We know he's not dead just on tour with Elvis) anyhow I have been a fan of Bills since picking up the original release of Dangerous when it first came out and have spent many a conversation exposing the genius of Bill to anyone I come in contact with. most recently I had found a comrade in arms in one of the DJ's of a morning radio show in my area of New York (Newburgh) about 50 miles north of Manhattan. his name is Mark Cooper and somehow during a
conversation we had during the Holidays we were talking about the recent movie releases and when the conversation of "man in the moon" came up we somehow touched upon Bill "the unsung" hero of Comedy who died way too young that unfortunately left us just before the tide was going to break. and we had both admitted that it was our mission to keep turning people onto his genius (ironically like some whacked out disciples) but many kudos to you for keeping bill with us through the millennium and Y2(yawn)K. I think Bill would
have had a blast with some scathing commentary in the days following the big "No nothing fucking happened" day. now that I have found you out there I will be ordering your product. by the way can I take advantage of your valentines special offers via snail mail or is it only available by order via the
internet. In closing let me say keep rocking on with what ya got and a funny thought occurred to me did it ever cross your mind that Bill was in fact the Bastard love child of Mort Sahl and Lenny Bruce in other words satirical social commentary with a brain.....all The best DAN BROWN

>From: "Andy pandy" <elephantrider73@hotmail.com>
>To: kbooth@eden.com
>Subject: Andy Kaufman & Bill
>Date: Wed, 02 Feb 2000 14:03:05 GMT
>
>Hi Kevin.
>I wonder if you could shed a little light on something I've been considering for a while now.
>I became more interested in Andy Kaufman when I learned that R.E.M had a song loosely concerning him, then this movie thing. So I've read up on Kaufman, being only aware of his work on Taxi. But, the more I read, the more I wonder if Bill had an opinion on him. Was he a fan? They both seemed to take their work deadly seriously and refused to compromise for the sake of others. Both were in the process of creating their own tv shows (what ever happenen to the Channel 4 thing over here in the UK, did anything get shot?).
>There is the obvious Elvis connection, I wondered if Bill got that idea from seeing Kaufman do it, and loved the notion. Both Bill and Kaufman seemed to delight in taking the audience to extreme reactions, and I get the impression that neither of them considered themselves to be "Just comics". Basically, it is just a personal wonder if Bill was into Kaufman? Hope so, then I have found 2 people that weren't afraid to stand up and risk being shot at for what they believed.
>
>Thanks for your time
>
>Andy

>From: kyle227@webtv.net
>Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2000 11:21:34 -0500 (EST)
>To: kbooth@austin.rr.com
>Subject: naughty school girls?!?! nah, not really.
>
>HEY!!! what's up?
>my name is kyle and i've been a hicks fan for a couple of years now. i
>remember buying AENIMA and being like "who the hell's that guy?" and
>thanks to the internet and my friends....ta-dah (!), now i'm a huge
>hicks fan. i've hears all of his c.d.'s and have ninja bachelor party
>and the halloween special from hell. anyway, i just wanted to throw some
>thanks your way and mention that it's meant a lot. i'm currently
>spreading the word of "hicks." which is harder than you may think
>considering i live in a nowhere town in, get this...indiana.
>
>again thanx,
>kyle
>
>...hey!! "stress" never released anything did you???

>From: "Benjamin Cogan" <laydeeezman@hotmail.com>
>To: kbooth@austin.rr.com
>Subject: Re: Bill Hicks - Sane Man!
>Date: Tue, 01 Feb 2000 13:20:05 GMT
>
>
>Kevin,
>
>Just to say that I got the Sane Man video yesterday and watched with huge personal amusement in the early hours of this morning...Mr Hicks is fucking amazing and I miss him and his perceptions of the
>world. The world, which appears to becoming more similar to his predictions everyday. People like Will Smith, Brittany Speares and Jerry Springer are allowed to stay and influence and people like Bill Hicks are taken...how bizarre...how terrible!
>Anyway, without giving the impression of being a mentally disturbed fanatic...could you please let me know of any material that you would personally advise or even better a list.
>
>Thanks
>
>Ben

Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2000 17:46:43 EST
>Subject: (no subject)
>To: kbooth@austin.rr.com
>
>Kevin,
>
>         Hello, I've been wanting to contact you for a long time.
>         I am a 41 year old Musician/Nurse living in Fort Worth.
>         A friend and I were watching TV one night in "93, just flicking around, and happened to stumble onto HBO, right at the beginning of Revelations, must have been fate. We felt an immediate kinship with Bill and
>his ideas; so many people are just cruising along like programmed zombies, never questioning anything, literally brainwashed. My friends and I have been squeegying our third eyes since high school, so Bill was really something great we had found, a voice for truth, and damn funny!
>         Then in Feb.'94 I heard on the radio that Bill had died, I couldn't believe it, couldn't really accept it. I tried calling the Hicks in Arkansas one evening a couple days later but they were unavailable of course. I was
>just so upset and didn't sleep well for about two weeks. I found "Relentless" on CD in a Sound Warehouse and called Invasion Records. I ended up talking to Coleen Macgar about Bill and the availability of other CD's, etc., though at the time I had no idea she was Bill's fiancé'.
>         A year after Bill's death I received a pamphlet of newspaper clippings, a card with Bill's message, and a nice letter from Bill's mother, it was very nice and we've exchanged Christmas cards every year since. I've
>just wanted to somehow stay close to Bill in some way. I've turned on a lot of people to him and enjoy the new videos I have acquired and anything new that comes up on the net, etc., many of which you yourself are probably responsible for Kevin. I'm sorry you had to lose such a great friend. I've enjoyed the music you two made also. I have the cassette.
>         If you ever need a flute, trombone, keyboard or any writing or arranging of horn sections done for FREE I will be more than happy to drive down and help out. I love getting a studio tan, and it would be a pleasure to meet you.
>         I have a copy of "Sane Man" I would like to exchange for the new edited goat-boy version with the new improved audio! I think I bought it and "Ninja", and the cassette in 98 from you.

>I look forward to hearing from you Kevin. Talk to you later.
>
>                                                             Mike Rooney
-------------------------------------------

>From: "michael manton" <michaelmanton@hotmail.com>
>To: kbooth@austin.rr.com
>Subject: Darktimes addition
>Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2000 14:47:35 GMT
>
>Hello
>
>I am a 22 year old student of English at university in England. Having been interested in stand up comedy for a long time, I got interested in Bill's work about three years ago. I recently purchased Rant In E Minor and absolutely loved it. So much so, I have nearly completed a written transcription of the shows featured
>on that album. It is more than just a transcription though, as it has an interactive element and a few links to 'sound-clips' from Rant. I was wondering if, once it is completed, you would consider taking a look at it and possibly adding it to the already wealthy source of material already at the site.
>
>Although I have taken a long time over this, it has been a labour of love in a way and I really did enjoy doing it. Now it is nearly complete, it would be nice to share it and (without sounding too cloying) spread the word, as it were.
>
>I will be ordering Sane Man in a couple of months (when my next student loan comes through actually, but I am sure it will be money well spent). Query, does it differ significantly from Dangerous? I know that some of the themes are the same. Then again, I have seen some shows where the same theme gets a completely different treatment to the show that went before.
>
>Anyway, thanks for maintaining an informative and eye-opening (perhaps third eye opening!) site dedicated to someone who said what needed to be said, and made it hilarious to hear.
>
>Yours sincerely,
>
>Michael Manton.

>Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 18:31:14 EST
>Subject: Re: Gene McGuire, comic friend.
>To: kbooth@austin.rr.com
>
>Kev,
>
>I used to live with a comedienne, Beth Donahue. Hick's might have talked about her. When I lived with Beth, Bill and I talked regularly, usually about comedy sucking, depression, chicks, Elvis....etc. One night he called me..."Mcguire.....I'm bummed." "What's up, Bill" "I've been fu----g this 21 year old girl all week and she just left. 21 man! Gene...she had a pu--y like a paper cut." Of course I died laughing. I retorted..."yeah....with a whisp of cotton candy". Hick's goes...."can I use that". I'm......of course. So a couple of days go by, I get a call at home around 3am....Im asleep.....I answer the phone.....it was Willy....."McGuire....Hicks....just wanted to tell you....the whisp is killin!" Not only flattered......I laughed because we shared that dark, cynical, twisted serial killer humor. We used to give each other to titles of great serial killer books, then discuss them like a book critic.....focusing on the funny gruesome details. (If any one from AOL is reading this...I'm a comic...not a killer....this was comedy for us...don't send the feds)
>
>A "buthole like a Canadian Dime"....I've just added another colorful metaphor to my vocab. When I have time, I'll tell you about the time I boinked a "hairlip chick". Comics used to make me tell the story on stage. Later dude....gotta do my morning radio homework....Bill would be turning in his grave.....RADIO. I'm doing everything we hated...."selling out". But I can't get comedy work.....que sara....Geno
-------------------------------------------

>Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2000 17:04:24 EST
>Subject: Gene McGuire, comic friend.
>To: kbooth@austin.rr.com
>
>Man, Kevin I don't know if you remember me. Hicks always brought you into
>the Austin Laughstop. I met you several times. I'm the skinny, Blonde comic
>from Dallas, that Willy alway made me do "Elvis Bowling". I love your site.
>I just ran across it. I quit stand up 2 years ago. I started finding my
>voice. Speaking the truth, things Bill, always told me to do. But the
>Comedy clubs wanted the "smoking skating monkey act"...not opionated and
>truthful. So...I got out. I don't know if you know this but Bill and I were
>friends in depression. We called each other many times after shows at 3am.
>I was at the memorial. And many times...in prayer I ask Bill for guidance.
>He's like my higher power. I know that sounds sappy, but I loved him, and I
>miss him. Especially his booming laugh. I am currently writing comedy for
>morning radio. Miserable, miss stand up. It's like when Bill left, the
>comedy Gods said.."Okay...this comedy club thing is over". Take care.
>Genetcb@aol.com

>From: "Lewis, Michael" <michael.lewis@wcom.co.uk>
>To: 'Kevin Booth' <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
>Subject: Lost the plot somewhere back there
>Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 16:36:10 -0000
>
> Kevin,
>
> Well Happy New Year and all. Well I`m working in an office of about 30 people right now about 3000 mile away from Austin and I had the Texas Nights jpeg up and about 4 people said, "Isn't that Bill Hicks" . Finally ogt the NTSC player working and watched the Austin Access Video last night and it was strange to realise that this is all 1993. Got a bit pissed at the guy who rang in and said that we didn`t cheer very load and didn`t
>sound as into it as they were in the states. Couldn`t help thinking I`d rather paly to quiet full house at the Dominion Theatre London than a rowder LaugherStop. Anyway hope all is fine with you. In the true spirit of xmas I bought myself a Paul Ried Smith "SwampAsh " Guitar in the sales which is pretty good and I've been doing some stuff in a studio in London for a friend.
> Well on the video front what shall we do ? One solution I thought of was putting two videos onto one video and charging a premium for it and that way it might work out financially viable ? Obviously it would
>have to be not in competition form your titles. But I'm sure I could get Loaded Magazine ( the one that ran the front cover a la Sgt Pepper with Bill as one of the greats of the 20th Century to run an article on Bill with the
>video review or even perhaps if you wanted an interview with yourself. I'm sure they would be up for it. I could run some adverts in Loaded and private Eye and we could see how it goes. I think to be honest there is a lot of people who either like or would like Bill and they won't all find him through your web-site, or any website they need to read it and buy. Other than that one video plus advertising costs just wouldn't cover the costs let
>alone get any money back. That`s what I would like to have a go at, have a think about it. Lets turn some people onto Bill through some articles and it`s a start.
> Anyway let us know and I`ll ring you sometime soon, I`ll wouldn`t mind trying to catch up some time this year when I`m in the states.
>
> your humble man in England,
>
> Michael

>From: "Konrad B" <fearlessandnaked@hotmail.com>
>To: kbooth@austin.rr.com
>Subject: Mailing List
>Date: Thu, 06 Jan 2000 23:18:28 MST
>
>Kevin-
>
>I spent the bulk of last night checking out every Bill Hicks site I
>could find. I really enjoyed your sites, especially the one with
>the Christmas story about Bill. I already have all of the CDs that
>are available in your average Montana/Arizona music retailers, but I
>hope to expand my collection to some videos and new CDs when the
>money allows.
>It sounds strange to say that a stand-up comedian has changed my
>life for the better, but it is very true. I was first exposed to
>Bill in 1992 when my friends father had a lively get-together that
>included a viewing of "Revelations". Needless to say I laughed my
>ass off and came away from the video pondering the "Ride" Im on-well
>its the year 2000 now and Im 23 years old, but I still incorporate
>Bills philosophy into my life. He truly had the gift of making the
>ugliest parts of everyday life into something funny and thought
>provoking.
>I Emailed you last night and for some reason (Im still new at this
>whole internet thing) the response was sent ot my mothers address.
>YOu asked if I was on the mailing list-No sir I am not, but I would
>like to be!
>
>Thank you for your time and your consideration sir. I know that my
>life has been made better by being introduced to Bills material, I
>can only imagine how you feel and the wonderful memories that you
>must have from being Bills friend-A truly fortunate man, indeed!
>
>Thanks Again,
>
>Konrad T Bromfield

>From: Amylarson5@aol.com
>Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2000 16:21:47 EST
>Subject: Bill Hicks Videotapes
>To: kbooth@eden.com
>
>     Hello Kevin. Thanks for your time. In 1993, I recorded Bill Hicks doing
>stand-up on either HBO or Cinemax. I don't know why I recorded it, but it
>was the best stand-up I had ever seen. Unfortunately, I lent the tape to
>somebody and never got it back. I have never seen it again on T.V. and it's
>the only one I have seen.
>     I will attempt to describe it for you. It had an introduction with Bill
>riding a horse (with a cowboy hat on). Then it showed an outhouse exploding
>for a second. During his performance, a picture of Dracula from Bram
>Stoker's Dracula was shown momentarily. He talked about Goat Boy and
>"Sucking Satan's Cock" and, while impersonating Satan, he called in Marky
>Mark and M.C. Hammer to go do his bidding. He also talked about J.F.K. being
>shot, continuously saying "Back and to the left" and concluded that it must
>have been a pigeon carrying a person who shot J.F.K. That is all I remember
>for now.
>     I'll do anything to get my hands on this video again. You are my closest
>lead, so that is why I am writing you. I am willing to pay handsomely, also.
>
>     Please help me Kevin, you're my only hope. I'll do anything!
>     Again, thank you for your time.

Date: Tue, 04 Jan 2000 11:36:01 -0600
>To: kbooth@eden.com
>From: Jason Lamb <jaosnl@informix.com>
>Subject: Respect
>Status: RO
>
>Mr. Booth,
> I have never tried contacting anyone concerning a celebrity before, so I hope I don't come off like some sort of dork or jerk. And I don't really expect you to return this. For I am sure that you receive quit a bit of
>e-mails concerning Mr. Hicks. I'll be brief.
> I am a stand-up comedian and an actor. What first drove me to pursue the insanity that is comedy was a CD of Bill Hicks that I heard for the first time. What I heard wasn't just something that made me laugh due to it's
>outrageousness or it's lack of practicality. It was so much more. It had a point. It made me think.
> I was in danger of falling into the trappings that I call the "Bullshit comic" before I heard Mr. Hicks. I would do and say exactly what my stand-up coaches told me to do to get the laughs. None of which had real
>meaning to me. Most of it even embarrassed me to perform. I have since learned that if I do not believe or respect what I am saying on stage I am cheating the audience and myself.
> So I took a que from Mr. Hicks to seek out what was important to me as
>well as to my audiences. It was suddenly clear to me that if I could
>communicate my concerns to them that I could make them laugh longer, harder,
>and louder than if I told them nothing but meaningless dick jokes. When
>this finally happened it was an extreme rush that penetrated me down to my
>very soul. It was then that I realized that if I ever had the chance I
>would meet the man that inspired this change and made it possible for me to
>experience that feeling.
> I would like to insert something that I have learned other than what
>"truth" is since I first heard Mr. Hicks. Life, like comedy is all about
>timing. When your on, when you hit every punch with the accuracy of a
>marksman, there is nothing that compares to the charge that surges through
>you. More over, when your off, when you can't see the set up to deliver
>that punch, it is as though you experience hell on earth. Personally, I
>feel as though I betray myself, my audience, and even my GOD when that
>happens. It is an experience that I know will come and regret when it does.
> This is what happened when I found out that I had long since missed any
>chance that I might have had to meet the man responsible for my new way of
>looking at this world. At least in this life time. You see I first heard
>that wonderfully sarcastic voice around January of 1999. Five years after he
>died. I was very much heart sick to have discovered this. And for several
>months I couldn't write a word. I couldn't find humor in world that would
>lead me to discover how devastated the world really is, but yet in the end
>we will be okay. How could I have discovered such knowledge only to learn
>that I had found it to late.
> One night at the club minutes before I was to take the stage, a thought
>flashed into my head. "If I had learned what Mr. Hicks had to teach years
>before his death or as it happened years after, what would be different?
>Would the lesson have changed any?"
>In a hushed tone I answered. "No". The ideals, the thoughts, the very soul
>of that knowledge that he had to offer would remain the same regardless if
>the words have been changed.
> With this fresh in my mind I took the stage. I wish I could say that I
>rocked, or that I had the best set of my life. I didn't. It wasn't a bomb,
>but at the same time I feel that I could have done much better. That night
>ended up being an homage to a very funny comedian, and a very wise teacher.
>I regret that I didn't have a chance to meet the man, but I consider the
>spirit a close personal friend. I just wanted to let you know that in his
>recordings the legacy lives on. Some will hear it, some will not, but it is
>there. I am sure that you already knew this. I just thought that you would
>have liked to know that the friend you knew still reaches out to those that
>care to listen.
>Thank You for your time.
>Jason C. Lamb
>A fan and believer.

>From: JHeneghen@aol.com
>Date: Wed, 29 Dec 1999 01:46:00 EST
>Subject: hicks
>To: kbooth@austin.rr.com
>
>just wanted to say hello. My name is James Heneghen and I am a comic working
>out of Seattle. The first time I heard of Bill, it was that he had died. I
>had not been in comedy very long and had never had the pleasure. I am glad I
>never heard him till a couple of years ago, in the sense that I was pretty
>floored when a friend gave me three tapes of the Austin interview, letterman
>shows and the hbo special and austin tribute. I had seen so much of Bill
>Hicks in my fellow comedians. Sometimes word for word and I got to see the
>source of so much that I love about stand up. In this holiday season with a
>movie about a comedian that was a successful TV guy and no one but the
>hippest knowing of Mr. Hicks, confirms so much of what Bill was talking about.
> Thank you guys for getting the word out, if I had anything to invest, I
>would gladly do so, but I am a working comic trying to talk faster than I
>think. Peace Out Heneghen
-------------------------------------------

>Date: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 16:07:14 -0600
>From: "Judith Brunswick" <jbrunswick@pioneerpress.com>
>To: kbooth@eden.com
>Subject: thank you
>
>Tell me please that you don't have a Y2K kit.
>I hope and don't hope that you got a thousand emails like mine this
>month, what with Bill's birthday, the anniversary of and the new version
>of Sane Man, the millennium, etc.
>My husband bought the remastered Sane Man for me for Christmas, and it
>put me on some strange plane, still not believing he's gone, knowing
>he's still really out there, knowing how many people, even now, hear his
>words for the first time and gain some cosmic inspiration.
>I've thought for years of writing to thank you. Now I'm doing it -- for
>making everything earthly that remains better all the time, and for your
>dedication and generous spirit. I wish there were some way I could
>contribute. I know there's too much to do...
>All Jesus and other references aside, Bill made some of us better
>people, and you're one of the best.
>
>Freedom in 2000,
>
>Judy Brunswick
-------------------------------------------

>From: "David Warner" <dlwjr@flash.net>
>To: "Kevin Booth" <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
>Subject: Merry Christmas to you, Kevin
>Date: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 13:50:52 -0500
>
> Kevin,
>
> I had to take a few to say hello and wish you Happy Holidays. I wanted to
>express some gratitude for your hard work on your excellent website. I check
>it frequently, and your heart-felt Christmas page inspired me to write once
>again.
>
> I first "discovered" the work of Bill Hicks after his death quite by
>accident in 1997. I frequented a music-industry website called
>www.thevelvetrope.com (which still exists but now sucks). One day a rep from
>Ryko came on and said that the next 10 people to email him would get the
>four excellent re-mastered Bill Hicks cds. I was aware of the name Bill
>Hicks, I was wondering who he was because of the recent Tool CD tribute to
>him ('another dead hero' and "third Eye). But mostly, I thought "free cds!"
>and emailed this RykoRep immediately. 4 to 6 weeks later, i received the cds
>and have quite honestly have not been the same since in many ways. bill
>hicks is a genius, and every friend I have enlightened with his genius has
>become a Hicks disciple as well. Yikes, this is starting to sound like
>'Fight Club'. I realize now upon reflection that I was aware of Bill Hicks a
>little bit during the late 80's, I think i may have just lumped him into the
>comedy boom thing. I think I assumed that he was a 'Hick' and therefore only
>thought I would hear redneck humor, and avoided him. Proves that assumptions
>suck. Also, I think it proves what the media does to warp our brain with
>sound bytes and such... but of course that's because they can not understand
>truth and therefore "mismarket" it... I wish so much that I had seen Bill
>when he was alive, I wonder when or where he performed here in Michigan.
>Chaplin's? The Comedy Castle? Magic Bag? 1990-1994 were my stomping years, I
>was out every night and rarely missed an event... damn I wish I had seen
>him.
>
> A prediction for the next millennium: Bill Hicks will finally be
>"discovered" by the masses, the people will realize the truth in his words
>in the (near?) future, and will be dying to know EVERYTHING about this
>social commentator supreme and humorist extraordinaire. I want you, Kevin
>Booth, to remember that all of your love and hard work keeping the truth of
>the work of Bill Hicks alive will pay off, although I know that not is your
>intention, to make money. Keep at this man, keep doing it. Get his words out
>while they are still relevant. You could insert almost any current event or
>topic into his words (as you did on the website with Kosovo) and they still
>have major impact, and I think they always will.
>
> Another prediction for the new millennium: There will be people that will
>criticize you in the future for "cashing in" on the work of your friend, but
>that will just be the usual media horse shit. I see your efforts and your
>website as a labor of love, and it really show it is in everything you
>present to us. Keep it real, keep honest, and keep the truth alive. You
>honor Bill and keep him alive by doing what you do, and I hope you never
>tire of spreading the word. We would all be better off if we all had friends
>like you are to Bill Hicks.
>
>
> Happy New Year!
>
> David Warner
>
>
>PS ahem here's another idea for ya for the new millennium, Kev buddy, this
>really neat-o program they make for computer users called "spell check" heh
>heh love ya man

-------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 26 Dec 1999 23:36:45 -0800
>From: jimnewman@earthlink.net
>Reply-To: jimnewman@earthlink.net
>To: Kevin Booth <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
>Subject: Re: Merry Christmas
>
>Dear Kevin: 12-26-99
>
>Merry Christmas. My name is Christian Malmin. Thank you SO much for your
>Christmas letter and the tunes. You don't know how much it means to me,
>so I'm gonna tell you.
>But know this: I, too, am working hard to keep Bill's spirit alive.
>
>I am a huge fan (since '88 or '89) of Bill and I'm quite familiar with
>you, also. I assume that you are one of the friends in "Gifts of
>Forgiveness". It's a pleasure to meet you; that's how I plan on ringing
>in 2000.
>
>Your letter hit me hard. I am an only child and I lost my mom to a brain
>tumor when I was three years old. I often think about my mom and Bill
>being friends in heaven and her being one of the first people to welcome
>him there. I also lost someone very near to me to cancer in October.
>Obviously, I am majorly dealing with both of these losses, so I can kind
>of understand what you're going through. Things are especially tough
>during the holidays. With all the love and beauty you see everywhere,
>it's so hard to understand why God has this level of pain as part of the
>plan for us.
>
>I appreciated you sharing your last memory of Bill. I'm glad you have
>such a cool website. Thanks for the work you put into it. I'll write
>again later.
>
>I'm at: jimnewman@earthlink.net
>
>Take care,
>--Chris
>
>P.S. I have never seen the "Just a Ride" video. I would really like to
>get a copy of it. I can send you a tape, SASE and some $$ if it costs
>you to make dubs. Thanks a lot, man. Have a good new year.
-------------------------------------------

>From: "Dave Bailey" <davebailey@currantbun.com>
>To: "Kevin Booth" <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
>Subject: RE: Merry Christmas
>Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1999 20:48:22 -0000
>X-Priority: 3 (Normal)
>Importance: Normal
>
>Kevin,
>
>I have only recently joined this mailing list, but I thought I would write
>to you to say Merry Christmas - and also to thank you for devoting your time
>to letting us Goat Children know your stories of Bill and your time
>together.
>
>I'm 23 years old from a small town in the county of Essex the Uk, and I
>although I had heard of Bill, I hadn't really heard or seen much of his
>material until earlier in the year when a work colleague lent the Totally
>Bill Hicks video to me. After seeing this I was totally hooked, and almost
>immediatly went out and bought the video for myself, as well as Relentless.
>And now I am doing my best to convert my friends into fellow Goat Children!!
>
>Once again thanks again for devoting some of your time to letting us Bill
>fans know a little more about the great man, and to keep his memory alive.
>
>Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
>
>Dave Bailey.
-------------------------------------------

>From: "Michael Ramirez" <Mikerismrr@austin.rr.com>
>To: "Kevin Booth" <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
>Subject: (roadrunner kicks ass)
>Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1999 05:34:42 -0600
>
>anyway. I'm a fellow austinite who fell in love with bill the day i saw
>his bit on access (Since then i've ran across the relentless album and Rant
>in E minor) with various other online postings. I've lost a lot of sleep
>many a nights because I couldn't crash without listening to ALL of his stuff
>that I had. (I'm listening to revelations as we speak). Anyway, It's 5 AM
>and I just had a shitty day @ work and I'm wired as fuck on caffine(Mountain
>Dew) I work retail so christmas time has really been shitty and I said FUCK
>IT... maybe this Booth feller will actually read this. I just want to let
>you know that there are lots of people that are still touched by Bill. I
>was FUCKIN' pissed when i found out he was GONE. Everytime I find someone
>that I can relate to or that just makes perfect fuckin' sense is always gone
>when I finally discover them(i'm just a 20 year old punk). I caught the mp3
>of the broadcast on KUT. That was ASSome. Bill has given me an escape in a
>fucked up world that I can't stand most of the time and I'm sittin' here
>goin' FUCK.... I don't have to chew with my mouth closed. I can actually
>THINK and be. Anyway... i'm wonderin' what that animal fund or somthing
>that i saw when his show was on access when all you guys are talkin' about
>him. Let me know if i can help (with the web site or anything) I saw his
>HBO bit today also (i bet you have all that shit on tape though) If you
>ever want someone to post some of his mp3's on newsgroups or somethin' I'm
>the guy. Thanks for still carin' enough to keep a website and bringin' him
>into normal fuckers' like me lives. I'm gonna jerk off and go to bed.
>
>-Miker

From: "keithangell" <keithangell@email.msn.com>
To: <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
Subject: McGathy Promotions
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 22:21:02 -0500

Kevin,
Hey, just wanted to say thanks for making this available to the general public. I've been fan of Bill's for a couple of years, but being the computer illiterate idiot that I am, I've only now just used the internet as a resource to track down his material, which is great. There simply isn't any of his stuff available in any of the record stores unless you go hunting through little independent shops. Guess his particular brand of humor doesn't really run parallel with corporations like Virgin MegaSore and Sam Goody. But I can't wait to watch these videos.
Speaking of which, I believe you knew Bill Hicks was a friend of Rose and Bill McGathy, who run McGathy Record Promotions in Manhattan. This is absolutely none of my business really, and I'm sure you've already spoken with them about this, but I recently had the good fortune to see home footage Bill doing their Christmas party years ago back in 1992 (?) and it is unbelievably funny. Black as any comedy I've ever seen him do. I was howling, and although the video is pretty short (15/20 min) I thought it was absolutely fantastic. He really cuts loose. Anyway, as I was leaving I thanked Rose for having let me see it, and she indicated that she was thinking about maybe releasing it or producing it in some fashion. I have no idea if you know the McGathys, but they seem to really miss Bill and speak very highly of him. Maybe it would be worth a call to them to ask them about this video. I would just love to see it out there on the market instead of sitting in their office (I'm told the only other person who has a copy of this video is the lead singer of Tool). It really is fucking funny. You've probably also heard Bill's take on Judas Priest which was a little seven minute venom-filled diatribe on McGathy Metal Vol. 3. Also hysterical, which I wish could be made to the public.
I have know idea if I'm wasting your time and mine with this letter. I have no idea if you have any relationship with the McGathys (hell, you could be laughing your ass off at my presumption because you wished them a Merry Christmas yesterday, or maybe you're not on good terms with them), but who knows, maybe it might be worth a call to them, if you're interested. I'm not an employee of theirs or anything, just another diehard Bill Hicks fan who wants to see more of his stuff out there, spreading the word.

>From: "Mickel Davis" <mdavis5k@courtofflags.com>
>To: "Kevin Booth" <kbooth@austin.rr.com>
>Subject: letter from a fan
>Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 00:06:00 -0800
>
>     I just wanted to thank you on for all of you emails. You don't know how much Bill's words mean to me and have meant to me. I'm kinda buzzed right now and a friend from work just left. I tried showing him Jimi plays Monterey and he just didn't get it... It wasn't the soul birthing experience some have with it and that I had with it.. it seemed like the right time but as with chance you never really know you can only get lucky..
>I don't know why its taken so long to write to you and let you know how much Bill's words have meant to me.. I guess it hasn't been the right time for me. Ya know my second to third question with new people depending on my feel for them is what kind of music do you like.. Depending on their answer my third or fourth question is have you heard of Bill Hicks.
>
>     I should tell you my story first I guess.. I was born in 92.. actually 72 but again in 92.. I saw Jimi play monterey for the first time.. I had been doing acid and was awakening I guess "coming into conciousness" if you will. Doing acid and relearning everything. like Bill said I discovered that everything is learned and not actually what IS..... Later that year a friend came to me and told me that I had to listen to this comic he had
>recorded off of hbo.... So we sat down and watched it. The beginning when he was talking about how he wanted to be the cowboy the hero didn't sound like your every day comic... and right then it made me very interested. Then he came out playing Jimi.. He had my full attention.. You have to remember that this was a very .... I don't know how to describe it.. very eye opening period of my life.. you know when something is new.. this consciousness was fucking new to me and I was loving every second of it. questioning everything it was beautiful.. and bill came along speaking truth like no one I had ever heard in my life ever.... and I mean ever...
>It was an experience like watching Jimi for the first time I relate it to that cause I felt it that much.. I realize that these moments are fleeting.. and I savor them like the most important things cause that was what it was at that time in my life someone who felt the same as me... it was beautiful and still is...
>     Its funny years later I rented Sane man from the local video store... and he does the Jimi Hendrix..... Debbie gibson skit.. fucking beautiful that much more connection.. Just like me like him..
>
>      I read your last Christmas with Bill email the other day and it almost
>made me cry.. I know you were a good friend and he was a good friend.. and
>that's something that's rare and rare for some people to realize.
>
>     I don't know if you have seen it but I put up a web site. Its on the
>Bill Hicks Web ring... http://members.xoom.com/Mdavis6k/Bill-hicks.htm..
>Everything on its a rip off.. but its not finished nor will it ever be
>finished.. My vision is much more artistic I guess... not done yet.. I
>wasn thinking about getting the domain name WWW.Billhicks.net.. or something
>but I don't want to step on any toes..
>
>Thank you for your time,
>stay free mind and soul
>Mickel Davis
>Seattle WA
>
>
>P.S. Please forgive the grammar.. cause that's not what I wanted to
>concentrate on here.
-------------------------------------------

>Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 22:38:53 -0700
>From: Sherry <karmafairy@mstg.net>
>X-Accept-Language: en
>To: kbooth@austin.rr.com
>Subject: Bill Hicks is my hero
>
>Hi Kevin,
>Several years ago I tuned in to HBO and by chance I saw Bill Hicks for the first time. It was a one hour comedy special, and it ended with Bill telling us life is just a ride-- right before getting "shot" on stage.
>
>I was totally blown away by the whole show (his take on drugs, fundamentalists, government, marketers--all of it wickedly funny and truly brilliant), and he instantly became my favorite comedian EVER. I kept waiting and looking for new appearances from him-- but for years there was nothing. Then I found out a few years ago he had died. I was SO upset! In fact I'm still in mourning...
>
>I bought all four cds (Rant in E-Minor, Relentless, Arizona Bay, Dangerous) back when they first came out, and I just now ordered five videos and the Marble Head Johnson cd from Sacred Cow Productions. But I haven't been able to find that first HBO special ANYWHERE. I wrote to HBO asking them to make it available for sale, and the bastards never bothered to even send back so much as a form letter response.
>
>You must know the HBO special I saw that first time-- is there any way I can get a copy of it? I would treasure it more than words can express. Thank you for any help you can offer in this.
>
>And lastly, thank you for maintaining such a wonderful and valuable website.
>
>Sherry Hall
>karmafairy@mstg.net
>
>p.s. Over the years I've been happily turning all my friends
>on to Bill Hicks, and now they're devoted fans as well. One
>of my chosen purposes in life is to keep Bill's memory and
>genius alive.