From Someone Who's A Newbie (WAB related) ...... ;)

[luvthemraspberries]

Okay, after reading all the posts, I was really really WISHING, I had been at this "WAB" event/get together... but am feeling TOTALLY lost on the origin of it, and where it's held...and how often (how many) times a year it's held...and if Jim & Eric always turn up at this awesome, prestigious fan event

...can anyone help me out? LOL!

Seriously, I just joined ya'all probably in the past six months or so, so I have NO clue on what this is all about ~ but sounds like a GREAT time was had, by all (and imagining singing *karoake* w/ Eric Carmen...~Gulp~! ) ~ what an incredible day it must have been!! Sadly I wasn't able to be online at all during Saturday morning/afternoon, maybe next time around!

Thanks ya'all for any info, much appreciated!!

[Kirk]

Interesting phenomenom, this WAB. Started with some people who became acquainted through the message board and thought it would be cool to have a get together. That in and of itself is probably pretty unique in this cyber-world we live in. It didn't stop there. Acquaintances became friends. The party grew bigger with every passing year. Special guests started appearing (Jim was the first band member last year). And, strange as it may have seemed for Eric in the past, he made his debut at the party today- on his birthday, no less! From it's humble beginnings to this in 5 years! I think the appearance of Eric today says a lot about his connection with his fans; we've become a lot more like friends than fans, even some, like family. Hope this gives you a feel for the love that is WAB Kirk.

[luvthemraspberries]

Interesting phenomenom, this WAB. Started with some people who became acquainted through the message board and thought it would be cool to have a get together. That in and of itself is probably pretty unique in this cyber-world we live in. It didn't stop there. Acquaintances became friends. The party grew bigger with every passing year. Special guests started appearing (Jim was the first band member last year). And, strange as it may have seemed for Eric in the past, he made his debut at the party today- on his birthday, no less! From it's humble beginnings to this in 5 years! I think the appearance of Eric today says a lot about his connection with his fans; we've become a lot more like friends than fans, even some, like family. Hope this gives you a feel for the love that is WAB Kirk.

Thanks so much Kirk! I was blown away, when I read that Eric turned up, at the GT ~ is this GT in New Jersey? So very awesome, and yes, truly shows a lot about Eric and his connection with the fans! And like you said, on his birthday, no less

I wish I had met some of my fellow ericcarmen.com'mers when the hubby & I were at the first Raspberries' Reunion concert at HOB ~ I'll never forget the feeling of excitement and total happiness!! Truly was one VERY special day!!!

[marvin]

..and that's the intersting dynamic behind WAB. I belong to a few other music-related websites where the fans have met, interacted, etc., but on EC.COM, the fans have met, have interacted with the artist, and have created life-long friendships. There's nothing that can beat that.

Marv

[Poor4Life]

I keep saying to myself, one year Im going to attend. To paraphrase Chicago Cub fans, I end up saying "Maybe next year..."

Jeff

[AnniekNY]

You know, you hit the nail on the head Marvin. I can't begin to tell you guys how genuinely appreciative, warm, and caring Eric was yesterday. it was a treat to see him so relaxed with us. This also pertains to Jim - he, Al and Denise and Barb are so concerned about our satisfaction with the DVD. IMHO, I really felt as if Jim wants this dvd to be a huge 'thank you' to all of us for being devoted and addicted! I think the rest of the crew thinks this way as well. But, no doubt, there was a very strong return of emotional devotion to all of us from ALL of the Raspberries personnel - Paul Sidoti, Ernie and Adrienne, Al and Denise, Susie, Barb and everyone else not mentioned here.

Even Mark Linett answered a technical question for one of us - now that's pretty cool as well.

The message from Jim for all of us was this: we have to beat the bushes with the stores and radio stations to keep the momentum of the DVD package AND the band moving forward. Without buzz building, we *may* not see the boys live any time soon. So let's do a little extra PR - a few emails, a poster left at a record store or Best buy, a call to a record store to check and see if the DVD is in stock.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Bernie - I cannot begin to recount the enormous amount of emotional and financial generosity you have bestowed upon all of us.

You know, I had the BEST time with all of you yesterday - Lew, you were positively CHARMING and I was very touched that you thought about Sugarbabi enough to honor her memory with such kind rememberances. Tommy, Johns, Lou, Ira, Dave, Larrys, Danny, Joe, Harry, Dennis, Tim, Ken, Fresh, Captain, Muzza and all you gentlemen were so much fun to hang with.

AND then there are my GIRLS!!! Marlene, Diane, Darlene, Gina (stop being AFRAID of me G!!)Jen, Kiwi, Denise, Barb, Kath, Susie, Adrienne,Lorie, Gail, Sue and all the EC.COM women who had the time of their lives with me yesterday.

love you all and can't wait to do it again soon.

annie and pete

[Raspyrock]

I really enjoyed shootin' the breeze w/ Jim & Eric and I think they enjoyed hangin' out w/ us.

I liked Jim's well timed Elder-berry comment and Eric's 'preface to Maahhrvin's phone call'.

[Poor4Life]

Sometimes you know, as soon as you meet someone, that tha's the person you know you're gonna spend the rest of your life with. Sounds like you got lucky Bernie, as I did with my wife when I met her.

BTW, When I watched the WABCAM, at the very beginning, I thought "who's the cutie in the Hawiiaan dress?" lol

Jeff

[Muzza]

Bernie...we are still trying to get our feet back on the ground after WAB. You two guys "ROCK". Kiwi and I knew from our first ventures onto EC.com that you were special people. Saturday just confirmed that in an amazing way.

Thank you so much.

And again... to all of you including those that never made it. To be able to share our lives with you is a real privelege.

Thanks for the great welcome and making us feel special in a way we don't believe we deserve. We are just a couple of ordinary people who share your enjoyment for the music of an extra-ordinary band.

We need also to say a very special thank you to Jim and Barb. You are such a great couple. Al and Denise... your awareness of our situation regarding our copy of the Limited Edition is so humbling. Eric and your beautiful wife Susan. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I still struggle to find adequate words to express the true joy you brought to a couple of your fans from "down under". You were so gracious in what you said to us and we will NEVER forget what a wonderful time we had.

Thanks EVERYONE!!!!

Muzza

[Bessieboo]

It was clearly a fabulous party, and I for one am jealous !

I was loured away from the idea of attending WAB, by my once-beloved husband.

He said to me " you want to go to a party in New Jersey to meet strangers you met online"?

So I went to London and saw nothing but the conference center!!!

And beyond missing a great party with you all,

I missed JB and EC as well as Kiwi and Muzza!!!

Divorce may be imminent, either that or I just torture him

S L O W L Y

A trip to New Zealand and a very special concert maybe the only thing to save this 24 year marriage.

Brooding Beth

[Muzza]

Bessie....New Zealand is waiting for your arrival. We won't be able to offer you a personal visit from Eric and Jim but we'll do our best to look after you in the style all EC.com members should!!!!!

Muzza

[BadfingerBarb]

What I want to know is did anyone ask Jim or Eric about upcoming live gigs?

[Lew Bundles]

AnniekNY...You called me charming?...What are you trying to do to me?...Blow my cover?...

[Muzza]

And for the first time there was a "WAB _ Off Campus"!! That was a blast too. People who have a common love for Eric's (& The raspberries')having a great time together.

Want to know about Heaven on earth??? Go to WAB next year!!!!

Muzza

[darlene]

Kirk, Marvin, Annie, Anne, Kiwi, Muzza and everyone who posted here, what a great description of the love that is WAB! And, Annie, All the love you have for us comes RIGHT BACK ATCHA!!!!

I met Bernie (and Ken Sharp) in New Brunswick when Eric was with Ringo's tour. I had been lurking, then registered and posting for quite sometime and didn't even know "Raspbernie" lived about 10 miles away! DUH!

I saw some guys going back to see Eric with "backstage pass" name labels, and when they came out, I asked, "Where did you get those backstage passes?" One of them said, "Eric." So I asked them their names, and one said, "Bernie Hogya." I let out a scream, jumped on the poor guy and yelled, "RASPBERNIE????!!!!!" Then, he recovered and said, "*He's* Ken Sharp." I let out another scream and jumped on Ken and yelled, "OVERNIGHT SENSATION!!! I HAVE YOUR BOOK!" It wasn't till later that I learned that Bernie was "HOGE," from the band Mortimer Snerd, which I knew because a friend I once worked with was in it. I later found out he (Larry Bogush) was Bernie's best friend. THERE ARE NO ACCIDENTS! Everything happens for a reason!

I believe it was the 2nd WAB when EC MArathon Man came out and I predicted we would indeed all see Raspberries back together in our lifetime.

That second WAB was so special because of this miracle book--it was an intimate and dreamy event. We were in awe, but Bernie already had the knowledge that the "possibility" of the band getting together was there--but they couldn't share it with us.

And the surprise was OH SO SWEET!!!

The WABs just grew and grew and so has the love.

Bernie--WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!

--dar