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December 28, 2009

Hello,

It’s been a long time since I’ve communicated with anyone. Some folks may have heard that I’ve been ill and have had some physical issues. This is true. I think I communicated to folks via this website that I had been hit “T Boned” by an uninsured driver in May 2009 [not 2008 as I mistakenly wrote in the first draft]. That accident left me with what folks usually have – sore neck, concussion etc. What ensued thereafter was complete disbelief on the part of several doctors that I had been hurt. I asked for ex-rays of my neck, CT scans, MRIs and was denied by doctors. They said that I was “all right”. Throughout the summer of 2009 I worked with headaches and dizziness that increased each day and week. By August I was disgusted with the medical folks, my insurance company and life in general.

In the first week of October the dizziness caused me to lose my balance on steps and I fractured my ankle. In early November I was overcome by dizziness and had to be taken to the emergency ward as I thought I was having stroke. The doctor at the ER told me that I might have a sprained neck and vertigo and prescribed meds. He told me that just to be sure I should have an MRI. That day I made an appointment for an MRI. The soonest I could have it done was November 18. On November 14 my video crew and I had a shoot scheduled with the Magnificent Men in Philadelphia. However, at 5:30 am I was hit with a pretty serious infarction in the medulla of my brain. Specifically an artery that had been damaged in the accident in May 2008 ruptured and this resulted in a stroke.

The first doctor who saw me in the ER wrote a one word note next to my name “fatality”. Later that night he changed his mind and the next day his evaluation was that I could recoup  90% to 100% of my physical abilities prior to the stroke.

ON November 20 I was released from intensive care to a rehab facility where I had to learn how to do things that everyone takes for granted.

Well, things are looking positive. Walking is a bit of a challenge due to what is called a “midline disorientation”. My left side and ride side are not quite in sync. There are a few smaller issues but I’m not paralyzed and I’ve lost none of mental faculties.

Now for what many folks want to know – when are the 2008 Show DVDs coming? Well, the editing on the first four is done. Don, the editor, is working on the Solitaires now. I am sending volume one to the manufacturer on Monday January  2010.

Once I get it back in January I’ll ship it. I may have the manufacturer do the shipping. Anyway, once it’s guaranteed that it’s perfect then the others will be manufactured.

Truth be told for months I’ve been paranoid about this DVD getting ripped off like the 1982 Video was. But, my close encounter with the afterlife put into my head the idea that I have to share things with the fans and let the singers’ performances be seen. This goes for not only the 2008 Burlington Concert but videos and audios that I’ve produced or have acquired over the past 30 years.

In 2010 I will be releasing a lot of video and audio that no one has ever seen. I’ve played some of this will some fans who are close friends and they’ve been amazed. So, you should be seeing some great performances by many legendary groups and singers. Also I’ll be releasing at least excerpts of interviews that I’ve been doing for the past 35 years.

One thing that I’ve worked on as a hobby is ‘improving’ and colorizing some photos that are sold on the open market of singers and groups whose quality is not great. On many occasions I’ve called the singers up and asked them “what color were the uniforms you work in that photo? So, here is a high quality photo of the Five Keys from 1956 in the PEACH colored suits. Yes, according to the Bernie West these suits were peach colored.

So, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from me to you, you can copy it to your hard drive, print it out and enjoy it.

Also, folks asked me prior to the stroke if I would do any more shows. The answer then was maybe. The answer now is YES. I’ve got several planned. But, first things first – I’ve got to get the 2008 DVDs out.

Thanks for your patience.

MdC