Dan, I have been a musician since I can remember. I worked my way through different styles before finding one of my own but of course, I still have my favorites. Your style is one of those styles that I learned and enjoyed. So many of the things that you've written strike such a chord with so many people. Your musical imagination is amazing; I'm not worthy to judge but I do know what I like. I saw you solo in Utah maybe 8-10 years back and I must say your performance lived up to my expectations... which is to say it was wonderful. Here's to keeping the faith for the ones that influence our lives for the better. I am indebted to what I've learned from your music and lyrics, and humbly thank you. ~ Douglas Dunn

Dan,  I feel as if we've known each other all our lives.   I'm sure there are tens of thousands of us out there who feel the same way.  You were what got me through each day back in the late 70's - early 80's.  I pray for you now... I hope that your faith will keep you strong through this journey.  Please know how much you have given to so many of us through the years - I was at a concert a couple of years ago (at Chastain Park in Atlanta), and was as captivated by you and your music as I was years ago.  You have made a difference - not only in my life, but in the lives of many, many others.  Thank you for sharing your gift with us.  We will always love you... God's Speed on your recovery ~ Cindy Karsten - Dacula, GA

I am really embarrassed to be just learning of your prostate cancer -  now. Being a younger person who loves your music (I am 37 now) I grew up listening to your songs on the radio and always felt "moved" by your song writing and style - it has always been compelling - and of course the ever played "Same Old Lang Syne" song - true to your own experience that is so easily someone else's out there as well or similar. I do remember the time when I was listening to Stone Temple Pilots and Pearl Jam and you as well - and the girl I was going out with at the time - and out of no where she had bought us two tickets to the Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan to see you in concert - and it was one of the most memorable concerts I have ever been involved in. I wish and pray for the best of treatment and recovery  for you and hope someday if you are up to it, that one day you can come back and visit Michigan - because I will be hoping that in some capacity you
will play here. If not - I wish you and you family the best - and at least know that there is another person out here praying for you and your well being. Hope you had a good Thanksgiving and Have a great up-coming Holiday ~ Joel Pritchard

Dan and family, I was so happy to hear that you are doing well--I'm sure that Thanksgiving was particularly special for you this year.  I had heard awhile ago that you were sick but not until I checked your website just now did I learn that you were better and clearly in good spirits. We all have gifts to offer each other and to the world.  Thanks for the gift of your music and God be with you as you continue to reclaim your health and inner peace.~ Ross Workman, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm stopping by here to give a little thanks to you. I recently traveled from MT to CA to visit my daughters and took a couple CD's of your music along for the ride. I couldn't travel that far without you. Love ~ Ken Harris-YNP

Hi There Dan & family,  Thank you Dan for sharing your gift of music to us all! We have been loyal fans since the 70's. I hope this 'lil note finds you in great health and great spirits! I want to thank you for bringing attention to this serious issue of Prostate Cancer. I have been begging my husband to go get his "first-check" / exam  for 14 years now. He is 54.  I've even went as far as to make the appointments for him but every time he calls in that something came up or some other 'lil white lie he can come up with and I am so very concerned. May God Bless You & Your family always. We wish you Health , Happiness, and All  Good Things! Again, Thanks so much! Sincerely ~ The Thibodaux 's  from Louisiana

Dan - It's that time of year again.  I just brought out The First Christmas Morning after waiting very impatiently all year.  It is simply the most beautiful Christmas collection I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy.  You have so truly captured the real meaning of the season through your works on that CD.  Thank you.  My prayers are still with you and your family.  Be strong, be healthy, and have a wonderful holiday season. ~ Mary

Hi Dan, First of all, my prayers and best wishes go out to you and your family.  Thanks for your music, which I have been listening to for over 25 years. You are an incredible talent and I hope you have many, many more years of music ahead of you.  I'm half a world away from you but you've touched my life with your beautiful songs. I hope you get well real soon. From a fan in the Philippines ~ Mike Da Silva

Dan, You're truly are of the best songwriters I have had the pleasure to hear.  You paint beautiful lyrical pictures. I wish you good health and happiness. My Father was diagnosed with prostate cancer - they caught it early 12 years ago. He doing great at 72 yrs young.  We walk miles 3 times a week and we love it. Have a blessed Thanksgiving ~ Lisa

Thank you Dan.... I can't say it any better than that.  I worked as a cashier at the A and P Grocery Store in Charlotte NC
while in College, and he was the bag boy....we dated seriously then split up and when I heard this song and called him up. That was a lifetime ago and we went different directions. This was a living DEJA-VU.."Same Auld Lang Syne" for real everyone..... just like you, Dan,  were watching , writing and recording over my shoulder in 1979-80. But you couldn't have been there in Charlotte NC at the time. You couldn't have known..but you KNEW ! "Nether Lands" is now my life and has been for many many years since as I try to find my place in this world. Thank you Dan for being brave enough to put into words and music what so many of us feel.

 Just thank you with all of my heart....I am and now my sons are now very rich in spirit for having heard and believed in your music, a true angel of music you are.... walking among us all these years Dan.   Never forget the impact you have had on so many people. God Bless you and family ...Are you sure you weren't following my life around for real? ~ Judy Anderson

Dear Dan and family - May this holiday season bring inner peace and love to your home. You're in my prayers. ~ Scott

Your music was such a big part of my life as a college student at Eastern Illinois University where I met my husband.  We listened to Nether Lands for hours as we made our plans for our lives together.  My husband is still proud to this day that he grew up near Peoria like you.   Together, we attended your concert at U of I back in the late '80's.  I remember how packed the stadium was!  You made all of us from the heartland very proud.   My husband and I married in 1984 and then attended the University of Illinois for our graduate work.  Many times we heard  rumors of the places where you performed while you were a student there yourself.  As a musician (elementary music teacher, college  professor and studio teacher), I have always admired you for your talent to write such touching and inspirational music. Your music was so easy to understand and to listen to during a time when many bands were going crazy.   I've heard that your father was a wonderful musician and band leader himself.  You have certainly developed the passion for music that reaches the most inner part of soul from him.  What a gift.  I'm saddened to hear that you are fighting cancer.  I was diagnosed with cancer 13 years ago and went through a year of chemo, surgeries and radiation.  It is an exhausting battle because of the mental and physical strain.  I pray for you to have peace and joy during this holiday season and for years to come.  Your music will always be with you.  You have left a legacy that will stand the test of time for my generation.   Bless you and your family.

As I wrap up my work day and prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, I am thinking of you and yours, Dan, and wishing you all peace and the comfort of family and friends.  It seems especially appropriate, too, to say "Thank you" to you for all the comfort and joy that you and your music have given me over the years. In my case, my first exposure to your music came while sitting in my dorm room.  "Nether Lands" drifted out of my radio, and I prayed that the DJ would announce the name of the song and the performer.  I've never stopped listening and have been lucky to see and hear you in concert in
Long Island and New York City several times, including on a Hudson River pier next to the Intrepid.  (You were mightily displeased.) At another, more recent show, you did your first concert after your summer boating in Maine and were more chatty than usual.  You seemed genuinely surprised to find that many in the audience were as interested to hear what you had to say as to hear the songs on your set list. We cared then, and we still do. ~ Joann, New York City

I wish I were a poet or songwriter, such that I could give back some of what you, through your music, have given me over the years. Each note would act in harmony with all of the rest to heal and make you well again; something your music has done for me many times - on both emotional and spiritual levels. As I am not, you will have to settle for my prayers and thoughts for you and yours. ~ Wayne R. Smith, NJ

Dear Dan, I have enjoyed your music since I was a little girl. My parents were music majors in college and had a wide variety of musical influences that they shared with me growing up. I have fond memories of singing along with "Run for the Roses" or "Heart Hotels" during our long, summer car trips through the mountains of North Carolina-- or locking myself in my room and singing "The Power of Gold" into my hairbrush like I was on the stage. Now that I have gotten older (the 'ripe' old age of 24), I have especially grown to love "Leader of the Band." The song took on special meaning for me a few years ago when my father had a stroke and it looked as though he would never play guitar again. Fortunately for our family, he made a full recovery and the music continues. I only recently read about your illness and I wanted to wish you and your family all the best. I believe you can beat this.  Keep your head up and keep fighting. Sincerely ~ Kelly

Dear Dan,  I hope you have a speedy recovery. I can't even think of a world with out you in it. Your music has become such a big part of my life.... Love and peace ~ M

Hi Dan, I feel I have lived under a rock to not know until this moment about your illness. I am moved to tears to hear this about you. I have played your music for years as I am a musician (not compared to you!) myself and have family and friends request I play your songs at many gatherings all of these years. It was you, John Denver and Cat Stevens who inspired me to play the guitar and sing..for that I thank you so much, Dan. Your music has inspired me to continue to play and bless others with your poetry. I have seen you in concert in Irvine and San Diego.....there cannot be another singer/songwriter/performer like you. You have touched all of our hearts Dan. I only hope that the countless messages and outpouring of love for you and Jean can simply begin to return the joy and happiness you have brought all of us adoring fans all these many amazing years. Run for The Roses My Friend.....you are, and always will be......my true Leader of The Band! All my love and appreciation and prayer for a miracle. ~ Rich Beeson, Milwaukee, WI

Hi Dan.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!  I know I am thankful for all the years that I have been blessed with your music. Your music has helped me through many a dark hour.  In addition to helping me celebrate the good times.  I keep checking on your web site to see how you are doing.  I'm hoping that no news is good news!  The last time I saw you in concert it was in Lake Tahoe a few years ago.  I also saw you at the Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, Oregon and at Universal Amphitheater in So. California many moons ago (among many other times).  I have such great memories of your concerts. I miss you!  Take care and hurry back!!! ~  Kim in Springfield, Oregon

Hi Dan and Jean, Nice to be loved huh? Thanks for showing courage. I hope you feel God's peace and presence through all the prayers and good wishes. Happy Thanksgiving. ~ Bill

Just the best of wishes for a complete recovery. Healthy eating of fruits and gently steamed organic vegetables are nature's own cures. I believe you are getting better each day. You are such an asset to this community of life's lovers of song. Stay with us for many more years. Grow stronger with the knowledge each day that we are thinking of you ~ Anne Valentine

Dear Dan: I know I wrote before but I had to share this with you. As I told you my son is a musician, guitar and vocalist,  for 15 years, and as I shared with you before at a recent gig he was asked to play one of your songs. Well I bought your DVD Greetings From The West. Billy and I watched it together today, he was so inspired. His exact words were "Wow, now I can learn from this DVD." Thank you for being such an inspiration. Your narrative on the DVD brought tears to our eyes. We will continue to pray and send our loving prayers to you and Jean. We all know in our heart of hearts you will beat this~I have contacted our local radio station, and they are playing more and more of your songs, and I am amazed at the dedications and love that are pouring into the station for you. May you have a blessed Thanksgving. Godspeed. ~ Gail and Billy from CT

Dan - Best wishes for a full recovery  I learned of your illness on the utube website that features your song "Leader of the Band." You have touches many hearts and many souls with your music. Get well in a hurry and enjoy the coming holidays ~ Rich Allen

Dear Dan, I've been listening to your music for more than 30 years (since your first album, Home Free) and I can truly say no other music moves me, touches me so deeply, and in so many ways. Haunting, beautiful, magical, profound, and unique are just some of the words that come to mind when I try to describe your music to others. But my words just can't describe, so I always tell them they have to listen to truly understand how powerful your music is. No other music satisfies my soul and fills my heart like yours does. Your lyrics; pure, real, powerful poetry. Your instrumentals; emotionally arousing perfection. Your music is a wonderful part of my life and I want to take this opportunity to thank you for sharing your gift with us all. This evening was the first time I visited your website. I was immediately brought to tears when I read you had cancer. Although we've never met, I feel as if my closest friend is hurting and I can't do anything to help. You are in my thoughts, in my heart, and in my prayers. Get well soon!! We need you. This world needs you. ~ Michele Mancini, NY

I believe that I have not by chance clicked on your site on this peaceful Sunday morning while I was sending blessings in return to my friends. One I got from another dear friend to strengthen me with best wishes to get well soon again. I loved it so much that I decided to send it further to all the ones I know then the provider gave me links (I didn't ask for) and I clicked on yours to see what's all about. After reading it I decided to respond.

May God strengthen and heal the whole of you is my prayer. I know The Almighty is able to do this, for nothing is
impossible for our Creator Who is the Giver and Creator of this our Highly designed body; evidence of The Highest
Masterdom Itself. So what you need, God knows and is willing to renew your body and also in mind and spirit. Be Blessed!
~ Heloïse, from The Netherlands, Europe.

Dan: Just a short message of love and hope from a fan.  For all you've brought to the world through your music, surely the angels will shine on you God's mercy, love, and healing.  Prayers ~ Cameron

May God Bless you! After the darkest years of my life, your music was my only solace. My one companion. I lost a child in 1971 to leukemia.  I was lost - numb for years. When I found "Nether Lands" it was the lifeline I needed to survive. It helped me reconnect with the world again.  I can never thank you enough. You have no idea of the healing you gave me thru your music. May God heal you and give you strength. ALL things are possible to Him. May He bless and keep you well.  Amen.