Lew Bundles Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Special thanks to LC for reinvigorating the board with meaningful stuff...His reappearance here has pushed some of the “newbies” like Rhonda and Helen into some thought provoking digging through the archives... As always, Thanx to Craig, James, Kirk, Matthew C and Susie, Annie etc. from keeping the walls from crumbling ... Girlfan has always been a consistent poster... Kyle’s reemergence had been a welcome shot in the arm while RCT has shaken off the shyness and started to contribute in escalation... I love when I see some of the old timers reappear like Blackhawkpat, Dave from Equinox, Billy(a member of my Connecticut possee), Pretender, LobsterLuvr, Tim from Wisconsin, Mellie... John Shaft floats in and out as does Mike Haag... A really “hats off” salute to Vinnie B Trask...He was a big shot in the arm with new blood as the board was really teetering... Some people disappear without any notice like Michelle, Jim L, Batman and Elle while some departures are understandable like Doreen(hope she is hanging in there and mama2sets of twins.. Some of the stranger disappeances bother me, especially Kazumi and even more recently, Bessieboo.... and, of course, our namesake, EC... Sorry if I left anybody out but I still have a couple if long term effects from Covid like brain fog and shortness of breath (but not shortness of post)... But, above all, bravo to Bernie for hanging in there, when things were dire and continuing to let us plod onward on his dime...and having the good common sense to never make me a moderator... So, we carry on, Boats Against The Current to the end... 4 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda B Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Lew...thank you soo much. You are right on the money about all of those who have just rejoined with such profound information.. I feel I will never have enough time to review it all. And I'm sure I'm speaking for the other newbies. It is an honour and a privilege to be on this site and I mean that sincerely. I thank you and everyone who's been here awhile for your patience when we ask questions that you've known answers to for 20 years or more. What is amazing is the ones and especially Bernie, who have stuck it out since the site began 25 years ago, even when you may think there's really nothing new to talk about without new music from Eric. I've said this before and I will continue to repeat it: It's Eric's music and indeed all music that brings us here to this site. It is a positive thing ...it is a great thing ..we should not take it for granted. I feel the power and the vibrations from across continent sharing with all of you. I would have loved to have conversed with some of the regulars who used to be on here as well. Only one thing, I hope I don't get added to the list of Crabby Canadians LOL..just a little thread I was reading last night that came up. I can handle it ..you can tell me if I get out of hand. My life has been one of continuous music all of the time and promoting/teaching music among the young and anyone who will allow me to do it. And Eric H. Carmen, just in case you actually are reading this, consider it powerful ...that because of your great musical talent that you were not afraid to share with the world.. this great experience is happening here . So let's carry on. ♥️♥️ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Hey, thanks for the shout-out, Lew. And patience. The board is uplifting at a time when I need it most, so... my pleasure. Honestly, I spent most of the past couple of years listening mainly to one artist, John Stewart. (To me, his music is a beacon of wisdom and hope—just a brilliant songwriter. There's far more depth to the man than his "Daydream Believer." With 50-plus albums in his catalog, it's easy to get lost in it.) The Beatles' Get Back docu-series got me deep-diving the Fab Four again—my favorites of all time. Once I get into a Beatles mode, Raspberries can't be far behind, since they really were my Beatles. Like a lot of you, I was too young to "get" Beatlemania. So as a teen, it was the 'berries that grabbed me. Oh, and Lew—besides the accolades you passed out to our small crew, you deserve a huge round of applause. We've kept in touch all along, so I know you were going above and beyond to keep the pages and page views coming, to recruit new and old members, and to cause a stir whenever you could. In the next few days, I'll get to that post I promised you: a "Lew-vs.-LC Lyrics Thread," where we can do a point-counterpoint on the value of lyrics in pop music. Onward! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LobsterLvr Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 I'm still here. I drop by about once a week. Hopefully that's enough to be considered an active member of the "EC CT Posse". 🙂. Life, family, work, and my side-hustle writing and self-publishing children's books (www.davesheawrites.com) keep me pretty darn busy. While I don't have any new, thought-provoking EC stories to tell, the way Bernie and I connected is kinda interesting. For those who don't know, Bernie and I both work in advertising. We are both "creatives". He's an art director. I'm a copywriter. At advertising agencies, art directors and copywriters are teamed up to come up with ideas for clients. (Yes, just like in MadMen.) He and I never worked at the same agency. While he was cranking out milk mustache ads, I was busy churning out commercials for a bunch of General Mills cereals (the ones that rot your teeth). Back in the mid/late 90's, AOL showed up, and with it came "chat rooms". One day a "Raspberries" chat room showed up. I was shocked. I thought I was the only person who had a thing for that band. I joined the chat room under the name LOBSTERLVR (back then a screen name had to be 10 or less characters, so LOBSTERLOVER was not an option). Every night, once my kids fell asleep, I'd get on my blue iMac, log into AOL, and post questions and opinions about the band with people who shared the same passion for the band as I did. One of those folks kept posting words, phrases, and references that only "advertising people" use. So one day I typed in "You sound like you're in advertising", to which he responded "I am!". Once we established our professional connection, we discovered we lived only 7 miles apart (in central NJ). Small world, right? While Bernie and I have yet to actually work together, we do have something else in common: we're both still working in advertising! No small feat for anyone over 50. A miracle for anyone over 60!! This business thrives on young blood. Our blood has more benicar and lipitor, than red blood cells! And yet, here we are. These days we're working where the money is: pharma. Yup...we're the guys who create those ads that have people doing yoga, hugging their grandchildren and taking in deep breaths on mountaintops. I'm doing it full time. If I know Bernie, he's cranking out some incredible non-pharma work, as well. And that's how my connection to this community began...and it's all thanks to Bernie and his creation of the Raspberries Chat Room some 25 years ago. Dave (aka: Lobsterlvr) 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lew Bundles Posted February 4, 2022 Author Share Posted February 4, 2022 Dave...you have just “officially” become a member of the Connecticut possee...I keep forgetting that you live in Ct...We will have to get together one of these days/nights...I hope you read/enjoyed your appearances in my fan fiction of the Carmen/Bryson families in the saga “A Twitch In Time” and “Lost By A Nose”... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Dave, it's always good to see you when you pop in. I had aspirations of becoming a copywriter as well- went to Cal State Fullerton with advertising as my major. Being an Ad Man wasn't as much a west-coast thing as it was an east-coast thing- although much of the production took place out here. Funny thing happened in my senior year, though. I was working in the grocery business part time, doing 30-32 hours a week while in college. As I was entering my senior year, the head of the advertising department was bragging about placing one of the students in the field of advertising after graduating, making $12,000 a year (1975 money). And there I was, making more than that working retail part time! So, I stayed in retail, moved into management, and 46 years later called it a career. The creative side of me comes out here and there, usually with family, friends, or sometimes message boards 😁, without the pressure of deadlines and having to pay the bills. What would have happened if I had sacrificed some earnings to start a career in advertising? I'll never know. I was already used to having money in my pocket and being able to do just about anything I wanted, like gathering multiple copies of Raspberries/Eric records, attend concerts, acquire my first Sunbeam Tiger, as well as a motorcycle. No regrets, though. It's been a great life! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda B Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Dave... thanks for the Post regarding you and Bernie. That's a little bit of what I miss here... not knowing the people I'm conversing with..like their first names, where they are from and what is their background. What a great connection you and Bernie have. And now I love knowing that you write children's books. I'm going to check that out! As a retired teacher I would have loved to know that about you. There's something that makes my heart glad when I see children reading books and not even being distracted by their environment around them. Before my music classes would begin, I required all my students to read in my music room for 10 minutes before we began music. Best way ever to shift their thinking process and be ready. Also, Kirk, thanks for sharing that info about yourself as well. I love the part about you wanting to have a little bit extra cash for albums Etc. That's what I had to do while I was going to University. I actually had to start teaching private music lessons again just so I could have some money in my pocket to buy albums of which I was obsessed. Our university had a HUGE bookstore and a record section..best thing after my classes were done as I went there Every Single Day! 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Dave, great post—thank you for the revelations! I've been on the editorial side of publishing my whole career (editor/editorial director of music, sports, and antiques- and collectibles-related magazines, newsletters, and websites) and in the past few years, I've morphed into consumer health publishing. I love it. I currently produce online courses for a major medical university (and for my publisher) and also for a dog-owner magazine. Plus, I've done a little bit of freelance work in copywriting (which I loved doing—and which made me appreciate how hard it is and what an art — and science — it is!). One of these days, after bad weather and covid stuff, I'll get down to visit my main publisher in southern CT and we'll get together with Bundles' Connecticut posse. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susie b Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 I join in thanking the members who "kept the faith" while others needed to take a hiatus for personal or family reasons. It sure did get lonely in the halls of ec.com for awhile. Kirk, Matthew and Girlfan did their lonely tours-of-duty as the echoes of their posts bounced off the deserted walls of the Message Board. I salute you!!!! 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 Thanks, Susie. I was determined to do what I could to keep it going. "Boats Against The Current" could have been my theme song- I just refused to believe it was over. There is romance in the sunset... 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 Truth is, it was Lew and Kirk who did the work. They almost daily researched and found relevant stuff to post and keep the thing going. We noticed, and we respected the efforts. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 ....and LC HAS lit up the board over the last weeks!!....he's put in a year's worth of great posting in just that amount of time. Susie s posts are always smart and knowledgeable as heck....if you want to learn something, don't miss her posts! We're also lucky she's here posting. Craig is familiar with more music than anyone on the planet! And Girlfan, Matt, and yours truly kept a steady presence. And of course Bernie.....can't thank, nor respect, him enough. Viva EC.com! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susie b Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 29 minutes ago, James said: Truth is, it was Lew and Kirk who did the work. They almost daily researched and found relevant stuff to post and keep the thing going. We noticed, and we respected the efforts. Lew was on hiatus for awhile, although he came back with a vengeance, still reaching for that moderatorship after escaping the evil clutches of the Sweet & associates. I still stand by my declaration of Kirk, Matthew & Girlfan keeping watch as the tumbleweeds blew down the corridors of ec.com. 🤠🐴 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susie b Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 I stopped posting birthday greetings as no one was around to receive them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda B Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 Wow I didn't even know any of this regarding the site. Looks like I joined at the right time. Thank you for all you long haulers from the bottom of my heart. This is the first message board where posters, from what I've seen, can have civil online conversations. And we have very similar interests that is clear. It has awakened me from a little bit of a slump here during covid. So again I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.♥️♥️♥️ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susie b Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 I know Batman is ok. He is just crazy busy with crime fighting in Gotham City. There are a bunch of folks who got kidnapped by Mark Zuckerberg, but at least I can keep up with them. Ira's forum in the Land of Zuckerberg is a great group, in fact I invited some of my college friends to join, and they love it. I do worry about those who are MIA like Bessieboo, and I know Darlene has tried in vain to find Kazumi. Hopefully all are well and will send up a flare sooner or later. 😊 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 Lew, you've been here (sans hiatus) continuously for some years now, no?.....and busting your butt finding EC related stuff to post about that would interest members, and potential members, no?......and creating your own serial posts re the Carmen's and Bryson's that took some work, but entertained the heck out of some of us, no?...recruiting old members to come back, no?....overall trying to bring the site back to a strong life, no? Or maybe I missed your hiatus etc? PS you are appreciated. PPS ....even if you are not moderator material. : ) 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 I too appreciate every poster here, whether they're frequent or sporadic. Every bit of input is important and keeps adding to the foundation. Overall, it's just fun. My hiatus was all about personal upheaval, but I was never far from here. Nowadays, I'm catching up with things I'd been wanting to post. For me, it's just fun to talk about music. I love it. I once had an awesome eight-year run editing a group of music mags, so my days were filled with everything from formal meetings about what was happening in music to hallway chats about any and every kind of music. I'm so grateful to have had that chance. It widened my appreciation of different styles. It doesn't mean I love every genre of music, but the exposure helped me glom onto the sounds that connected. So in a way, conversing with or at least reading what the rest of you post fills that void from long ago. I can go on and on about how great John Stewart is, and ya'll will politely read, knowing I'm not trying to convert anyone or sell records or sound smart... I'm just being enthusiastic about music that has seeped into my soul... if that makes sense. And honestly, I love the free-form atmosphere here. I remember when there were maybe one or two areas of broad topics. As we got more eyeballs and posters here, Bernie kept opening up new categories. I think some of us even helped name them. My favorite is "Cruisin' Music." Think about how cool it is that we have that section. There's no commandment that says every and all post must be about EC and Raspberries. As such, we have things like all of those lists ranking other artists' work... and we have Beatles and Beach Boys threads... and we have Lew's McCartney threads... and we have Monkees threads... and we have threads highlighting the greatest discoveries we make... And... we have James' Classical Music thread, where we can write about what we know and like but otherwise read and learn about things we otherwise wouldn't have known. If Eric were still active here, I know he'd be all over that thread. (Reminds me that I want to do an Americana/folk-rock/singer-songwriter thread.) So, anyway, bravo to everyone! 🙂 PS: There I go again... writing too much! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Benfer Posted February 9, 2022 Share Posted February 9, 2022 I don't know everything that was going on in the background, but I am super appreciative to all those that helped revive this board. I missed it quite a bit while it was gone. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 6 hours ago, Craig Benfer said: I don't know everything that was going on in the background, but I am super appreciative to all those that helped revive this board. I missed it quite a bit while it was gone. Craig, your contributions are great! One thing that struck me. You said, “I missed it quite a bit while it was gone.” I think that expresses many of our feelings. But, for a few of us, the message board was part of our lifeblood. I remember Lew saying he didn’t want to make a bunch of new friends. I love other artists music, but I am not as intimately involved as I am with Eric’s. And so it goes for Bernie, as well as a couple others. It went way deeper than missing the message board. I believe that’s the heart of the matter. We just wouldn’t let it go. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 Well stated, Kirk. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 LC, for as much as you could be involved during that period, your contributions were like a horn-of-plenty- a cornucopia of topics! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doreen Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 Feels good to be back 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lew Bundles Posted February 17, 2022 Author Share Posted February 17, 2022 Nice to see you, Dor... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 Hope you’re doing okay, Doreen! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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