[Harp-L] From the heart

[SONNYTONE@xxxxxxx]

Please read this with the understanding that I have once again, along with  
the sudden passing of such great people, truly realize that life is so 
precious  and short. After reading the posts about Charlie's new gig and review 
that have  been posted by reputable, long standing members of the list, None 
were solicited  or even hinted to post by myself, that even jokingly 
questioning the validity of  these posts is not even close to being a "joke", for 
Anyone. 
    It is now clear, and I am sure many will say, "I  heard this all 
before", that absolute mind numbing pain and being alone  allow me to see visibly 
what my true calling is, how I should conduct myself,  and what are the True 
priorities are in life. This is a process that will  take the rest of my 
lifetime, and I hope that everyone understands how precious  life is, and that 
Life in itself, is a terminal disease which can be ended at  any given 
moment. 
     The statements that I am making are not  manic, done on a whim or 
rant, you can take them as seriously as you would a  death bed testimony.
    So many wonderful people that are now passing along  expertly Sonny 
Terry's style and legacy, have been one part of the equation  which is pushing 
me towards what I know is my real responsibility in life. That  would be to 
fully account my eye witnesses experiences, testimony, of who  Sonny Terry 
was as a person and harmonica genius from the initial meeting with  him at 
Toad's Place, New Haven, Ct. in the year 1974, through how it came about  to 
become his aid, driver, and harmonica duet partner from Jan 1977 - Sept  1978.
My goal is not a personal, money driven idea whatsoever, it is simply to at 
 the best of my ability, honor and praise His legacy from those periods of 
time,  in order so that in lifetime's to come, all can appreciate one of the 
greatest  human beings, harmonica players, pioneers, of all time. Whether I 
can play  exactly as the master right now is not of utmost importance, when 
I do  actually create a CD, it will be from my heart and my only wish is 
try and bring  joy, passion, and entertainment to whomever listens to it.  
Along with the, Kent  Copper, Fred Palmer, Peter Ruth, Tom Ball, Phil 
Wiggins, Paul Lamb, Ben Felten,  joe Filisko, and the countless other wonderful 
people that have inspired  us, I hope that my being Blessed with the 
knowledge of said time in  Saunders Terrel's life can be accepted and taken it as 
the best I can recollect,  along with as much physical documentation that I 
can supply. In spite of trying  to give harmonicas players the best possible 
amplifier that I could at the Time  of each creation over 17 years, this will 
eventually become either a calculated  amount of product I can offer in one 
year, or if my calling is to just honor  Sonny's legacy, than still to 
offer my undying customer support to All existing  customers. The more we can 
truly document, detail, give personal insight to, the  most generous Man I 
have ever met, is what we really need to focus on. 
    When anyone mentions Charlie Musselwhite and then  has an off comment 
or question what is said that is absolutely the truth, it  effects me, as 
Charlie and I have become lifelong brothers and friends, we email  virtually 
many times a day, he is without question the most sincere, honest,  self 
giving person I have come to fully appreciate and again, have the  opportunity to 
be part of. What he states about my amplifier is always his  unasked for 
true opinion of what he believes. In any of you actually KNOW him,  you would 
understand this as well as I do. I will need to distance myself  entirely 
from reading the list and feeling the need to post, so please bear with  me. I 
fully understand the length. 
    I would like most to thank all the countless  supporters from all walks 
of life who have expressed their thanks and love for  what I have Tried to 
accomplish, with my reputation being an integral part of  this journey. 
Without thinking that these people are "above" anyone else, these recent  
events have also made me realize just how many fantastic harmonica genius's 
that  have been supportive and placed in my life. Again, so many, but feel 
the need to  speak their names: Charlie, Lee Oskar, Dave Barrett, Gary Smith, 
Paul Lamb,  Peder Nande, Guy Van Eesbeck, Mark Hummel, Mitch Kashmar, Sugar 
Ray Norcia,  countless others who I hope know how much I love and thank 
them. 
        With that said, I would  also like to THANK all the people that I 
have hurt with my words and had/have a  negative experience with me, as it 
was YOU all that have directed me towards  this path. In my small way Michael 
Jackson's life, his narcissism, wanting to  help boys, not being satisfied 
because he could not top Thriller's success, is  what I have wasted so much 
of my time with, and Other's time with. I am not  asking for forgiveness, 
everyone is entitled to either hold onto their feelings  for me, express their 
opinions, whatever they think is necessary, I only hope  and pray that a 
higher spiritual guide can come into Their lives and set them  from free from 
ANY negative thoughts, as these thoughts only take away precious  seconds of 
our lives which can be used to LIVE, love, give back. I only ask my  
spiritual guide for "It's" forgiveness, hoping that in some way, if I let go,  
others can let go. Please right NOW, tell someone you love just how much you  
love them, and if anyone is in your life that truly loves you, cherish that 
with  all your heart and soul.     
          I must truly,  truly, thank the moderator of this list, FJM, for 
his compassion, tolerance, and  complete dedication to making this forum a 
reality. He had every Right to cancel  my being able to be a part of this far 
too many times over than I can count. I  can only hope that his compassion 
in dealing with my insanity can inspire  other's to have this same 
compassion for whoever they feel the need to. One last  thing I feel the need to say, 
then I will not take any more of your precious  time.
        I would like to thank, from  the bottom of heart, Scott Berbarian, 
Brian Purdy, John Kinder, Mr. Kendrick,  and all the fabulous amplifier 
companies for giving me the boost and push  to continue to try and create the 
best amplifiers that I could. Without them,  the new amplifier/upgrade, the 
Cruncher, Any amplifier that I have produced,  could not have been possible. 
In the beginning, I only had MY thoughts being a  harp player for so many 
years, hoping that the tone I heard from the amplifier,  everyone could 
achieve, everyone will get something different out of each one,  more or less. 
Please finally let me say, as the tears are flowing so much I  cannot see, that 
my concern for anyone who has a product from me, may buy a  product from me, 
customer service, my Reputation is still as high on  the priority list as 
everything else I have listed. In the event that I can no  longer provide 
upgrades for 410 owners, and am seriously considering it now, I  will post it, 
or any other related harp issues on my website. The reason I do  not do that 
right now is due to fact that as I have for the past 17 years, I  want to 
Personally make sure everyone understands and has support for whatever  
change is made, as it is not just a speaker and back panel. If posting  
everything I know about the upgrade is the most I can handle, then try to field  
emails, than that is the route I will take. Currently I am fielding literally  
hundreds of emails a day, yesterday was a reality check, I dug MYSELF into 
this  hole, and with your love and support, I hope we All can start to unearth 
me  and anyone else from whatever hole they may be in. I am not going to  
read this and filter it, this is all from a calm, from my heart, expression. 
We  are updating the website as quickly as possible while still taking care 
of  all that is involved with the business, which I am sure everyone, in any 
 profession, can relate to. 
    I appreciate Anyone's time for even reading any  part of this extensive 
letter and again want to thank EVERYONE for their help in  allowing me to 
see right now just a speck of light.
    With dearest and heartfelt sincerity. Gary Francis  Onofrio    Born: 
September 15, 1955 
Given the verbal permission by Mr. Sonny Terry and his widow, Emma Terry in 
 September 1978. 
AKA   Sonny Jr. 
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