Raspbernie Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 12 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda B Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 Dear Bernie: One would never think that covid was a cloud with a silver lining but in my case it was. During the lockdown, I decided to delve into my musical past and take out all of my songwriting files and lo and behold I found all of my Eric Carmen influenced songs and notes. That and many new TV commercials that featured All by Myself, prompted me to think, what's he done in the last 6 Years since Brand New Year. Hence the discovery of this website. I did not own a home computer till 2010 but other attempts did not always lead me to the website but in October of 2021 it did. I knew how to navigate a website a little better and I believe I was even on the website a couple years ago but did not even realize how to get out of the homepage LOL. Aside from discussing music which is my passion and discovering others that have the same passion as I do about his songs, I've gained many new friendships. I feel it has pulled me out of this negative space I was in for two years. And even though Eric Carmen no longer participates here, there is still SO much to discover in old threads to keep me entertained for a very long time. Congratulations on 25 years of this amazing website! Thank you Bernie from the bottom of my heart, love you lots.♥️ 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lew Bundles Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 As a late bloomer(I came aboard in 2002), I have always been grateful that Bernie has accomplished the things that he has...If it wasn’t for this website, I might still be thinking that I was the only Raspberries(EC Fan) in the world... Have has some great times here and Made some life-long friends as well...Hope I never see this website posted under the heading “Don’t Want To Say Goodbye”...hope for another 25 years...Thanx, Bern... 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnie B Trask Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 I was a member briefly in 1998. There was only talk of a possible reunion at that time and gas was 85 cents a gallon at one point. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnie B Trask Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 3 minutes ago, Vinnie B Trask said: I was a member briefly in 1998. There was only talk of a possible reunion at that time and gas was 85 cents a gallon at one point. I wonder what name I was under in 1998. Cannot recall. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 Congratulations, Bernie! Discovering that this website existed through a shared computer at the local library prompted me to get our first computer in late 1997. Who'd have thought a website could change your life? In addition to everything you said above, I'd like to add that during the 25 years of EricCarmen.com I've made friends from all over the world, found other Raspberries/Eric fanatics, discovered articles, photos, demos, concerts, videos, etc. and a place where they could be shared and appreciated...HERE! As you stated, website forums may not be what they used to be, but I've never taken this place for granted, even in the lean times. Because of your little labor of love, I've seen Raspberries concerts (again!), been able to converse with Eric on this site, and achieved first-name recognition with my music idol. It's been one 'pinch me' moment after another for this quarter century of EricCarmen.com, and I hope to be here until we all ride off into the sunset in the (hopefully) far distant future. Thank you, Bernie! Long live EricCarmen.com! 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 Congratulations and heartfelt thanks, Bernie. Because of your passion and efforts, I was able to see Raspberries perform live 5 times since I last saw them in 1975. I stumbled across this site quite accidentally (fate?) in 2005 while doing a general internet search for Raspberries-band ( as opposed to raspberry jam, pie, orchards, recipes, etc.. that all came up first!). I immediately joined after reading all of the postings and the talk of the reunion. I joined under a different screen name and was one of the most active posters. I dropped off in 2011 for several reasons, but I rejoined in 2012 under the current screen name. I just could not stay away! I was blessed to have attended the Weekend at Bernie's when Eric, Jim and spouses made surprise appearances. It was a day that will always be among my most treasured experiences. I also spent much time with Dennis Ferrante (RIP) and Paul Sidoti (mostly while he was reclining on a lounge chair with adult beverage of choice!!!) I can't even count how many LP's and CD's I have that Dennis is listed as Recording Engineer. And Paul shot to the top and became Taylor Swift's guitarist. Unbelievable. But most of all, the wonderful people that became friends. It is true, and I am guilty of being stuck in time. Nostalgia is a terminal disease, because I will never stop loving the music, movies, TV shows and artists from my younger days, and I am not sorry and offer no apologies. Thank you Eric and Bernie for being major components of my little world. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda B Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 Batman, I am in awe of anyone who got to be at that reunion and see Eric Carmen, an idol to all of us here. I can't even imagine that excitement. I would be excited just to see a current picture of him LOL. So to see him in person and you didn't even know he'd be there... unreal! And when I discovered he actually interacted with fans on this site that was another mind-blowing experience. So entertaining and educating to read some of his old threads. Don't worry, I'm pretty sure the majority of us here have that terminal nostalgic disease. One of the nice things about this site ..we can come here to reminisce and we don't have to apologize. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 Thanks for the kind words, Rhonda. It is comforting and reassuring to know we have this place as an "anchor in time" to keep in touch with like-minded afficionado's of Eric/Raspberries. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted May 11, 2022 Author Share Posted May 11, 2022 14 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted May 11, 2022 Author Share Posted May 11, 2022 Thanks, Eric! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 Wow! The Man chiming in!! It is indeed a great day🙂 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 Eric, you are the BEST ! Bernie,thanks for this amazing website. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marlene Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 Congratulations and THANK YOU, Bernie!! 👏 Here's to another 25 years!! 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda B Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 WOW.. Bernie you had this trick up your sleeve for a while I'll bet. Thank you so much! Eric Carmen.. thank you always for sharing your musical talents with us and the world. This was very special! ♥️ ps. We are still hanging in there with you.😊 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 Congrats on 25 years! I’ve been late to the party but better fashionably late than never! Been in love with Eric’s voice and music for many years and never knew this page was here until a few years ago. Bernie, you have put a lot of blood, sweat & tears into the site - thank you for all you’ve done. So nice to read the message from Eric! thanks again - this is one place I know will be a wealth of information as well as laughs and making friends with a shared interest! Pam ❤️ 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doreen Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 Thanks for all you do Bernie 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kiwi Connection Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 Having been a Raspberries and Eric Carmen fan since the mid 70's, and living in New Zealand I felt very much All By Myself.The radio stations here only played a few of their songs. As the years rolled by I managed to find all of theirs and Eric's Albums(more through good luck than good management)During this time I was teased mercilessly by my younger brother. I often wondered what became of them, so one day in 2005 Murray said "lets google "Eric Carmen", so we did and the rest as they say is history. Not only did I discover there had been Reunion concerts there was also an Eric Carmen website. Having signed up I soon found there were many like minded people. We both became members of the website, and spent many happy hours taking part in all sorts of things like games, a chat room and I'll never my 1st prom.(it's not something we have here). Then we discovered Weekend at Berine's .We were able to see pics and read about all of the antics that went on. Not to feel left out we had our own Weekend at Bernie's Down Under, and as part of that we phoned them and they passed the phone around.It was way cool cos I got to speak to Jim The following year there was talk of Eric doing a solo concert so we decided to go for it, but for a number of reasons it didn't happen.So we decided to go to Weekend at Bernies. It was amazing to finally meet so many of the people we'd interacted with on EC.com.But the biggest shock was when Eric arrived.(BTW we really didn't know he was going to be there!!) We thought that that was going to be out "trip of a lifetime", but we have been very blessed to have had 4 more visits traveling all over America and meeting a large number of wonderfully kind and generous people As Murray would tell our friends here when they'd ask us about all our trips and friends in America , "It all started with the music" So thank you Bernie for making it all possible by starting EC.com 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulaSR Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 Thank you so very much for all you have done for us Bernie! Without you and your website I truly believe there never would have been a reunion! I never would have dreamed I would have to been able to see my fave band in person, let alone meet all of them. You made my dream come true! And thanks to Eric for participating in this forum here and there, what a special treat for all of us! And thank you Eric for your wonderful music, both your solo stuff and your band stuff....love it all! Hope you are still creating!! 5 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie Mississippi Posted May 12, 2022 Share Posted May 12, 2022 This site was a huge part of my life for many years. Though I do not check in as often in recent times, I still fondly recall the interactions with many of the members here. Sadly I did not get to attend any of the reunion shows and missed out on actually meeting some of you. But friendships were forged none-the-less and I am thrilled that Raspbernie has kept the place alive this quarter century. Great to see a message from the man, the myth, the legend... the site's namesake himself as well. Smile on my face atm for sure! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paperdoll82 Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 Congrats, Bernie! You created a beautiful corner of the interwebs. ❤️ ❤️ Miss you guys. I should check in more. James and Lew: Are you behaving? 😂 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lew Bundles Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 Nice to see you, Paperdoll...I have been reformed...I actually had joined the priesthood, but I had to quit because I had dyslexia...I was changing the wine back into water...I was so confused and I liked little girls... As for James, grrrrr... Please stay and become a regular again...You were a favorite around here... 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GirlFan Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 Such a great website I’m glad to have been a part of it for almost 8 years 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmichel Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 So many things die and fade away on the internet...I'm glad ericcarmen.com is still kickin' all these years!...Congratulations Bernie on 25 years of this site...And thanks Eric Carmen for making this site necessary. 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 Sincere thanks to Bernie for having: the interest to start an early web page the energy to grow it into a website the passion to use his influence to literally spark Raspberries' reunion. If not for EC.com, we wouldn't have had that thrill of a reunion tour (albeit a staggered one with too few dates—I never got the New England concert I hoped for....). I did get to one show — should have been at all of 'em! — but that one show was a lifetime thrill. Raspberries on stage—it was something I pictured in my head fairly regularly since 1976, but thought would never happen. (I know—I was wrong!) My favorite 'berries song, live, from the tour that Bernie helped touch off: 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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