New Dennis Letter from his website

[LordofDaRing]

Hey Everybody,


Zippidee do dah zippidee heck,
I'm number one up north in Quebec


Truth be told, I would have bet the farm that such a thing could never in million years happen. Wow! that sentence sounds like Damon Runyon, any moment now I half expect Nathan Detroit to place odds on such a long shot possibility. I mean really, having a #1 pop single, rock track and AC seems surreal. In Canada this of course is known as "the hat trick". Never in my wildest dreams could I have expected this. To have a #1 record anywhere is amazing even if it were Afghanistan, Turkmenistan or StanMusialstan, let alone Quebec one of the most vibrant, knowledgeable musical scenes in all North America. Quebec after all discovered Styx before the USA. (We were actually discovered shivering in the snow on the banks of the Saint Lawrence Seaway). Merci Beaucoup and many thanks again to the people of Quebec.

On August 18 I performed in front of the largest live audience of my entire career at St. Jean sur Richelieu, outside Montreal. According to an email from Sylvain Latour Chief of the Cabinet Mayors office there were over 40,000 people at the concert. On stage with me were my band with Glen, guitarist Stephane Dufour and Eric Lapoint who joined me to sing "100 Years From Now".

What a night! It has been a very, very long time since I have performed a new song and received a response like that, long live radio.

The release of my new CD in the USA will be in the first quarter of next year. It will contain at least one new track and an all-English version of 100 Years with another guest vocalist. Sorry for the delay but the success in Canada has caught us by surprise. (By the way my reference to a new CD called The Grand Pieces Of Paradise was meant as a joke, although some have written to us in earnest about this project, FYI the title's been changed to Man of Serpent Crystal Cornerstones)

Back in 2000 I had come to a crossroads in my life, unsure about what career path I should pursue. Shepherd, bouncer, philosopher king, ventriloquist or perhaps man on the flying trapeze. Fortunately I was guided by Tim Orchard and my wife Suzanne back unto to the path of the Magical World Of Music. Primarily because of the smell of the goats and my overall appearance in circus tights I believe whole-heartedly I've made the correct choice. I will continue to sing, write and perform as long as you allow me this privilege, or till I just flat get pooped.

Thanks again for your continued support.


The Hunchback of Notre Dame:


It's true, The Bailiwick Theater under the Direction and guidance of David Zaks will be presenting my musical in Chicago starting May 8, 2008. David has been interested in doing the show for the past few years but frankly I was very busy on the road building a solo career, something until I was in my mid fifties I had never truly committed to. David's enthusiasm for my musical convinced me that now is finally the time. As some of you are aware I became ill months after the first staging in Nashville in 1997. At that time the producers of the show hired a new director from Chicago's prestigious Steppenwolf Theater and were determined to get it to Broadway. Not only was I unable to continue working on the Hunchback but it affected my ability to tour with my former band. Bummer!. Life has many surprises "some happy some sad" but hell let's "take the best and forget the rest" and some day we'll find..."

Hopefully you know how this ends. See you soon on TV, on tour, or at the Bailiwick in May or, See you in the funny papers


Dennis
08-27-2007

[stabbim]

Back in 2000 I had come to a crossroads in my life, unsure about what career path I should pursue. Shepherd, bouncer, philosopher king, ventriloquist or perhaps man on the flying trapeze. Fortunately I was guided by Tim Orchard and my wife Suzanne back unto to the path of the Magical World Of Music. Primarily because of the smell of the goats and my overall appearance in circus tights I believe whole-heartedly I've made the correct choice. I will continue to sing, write and perform as long as you allow me this privilege, or till I just flat get pooped.

Dude seems to have his mojo back. Coolness.

[bugsymalone]

His usual hilarious selfness (StanMusialstan!)

Things are really popping for him and I was glad to hear that there is (sort of) a time certain for release of the CD here, although later than I would have liked but he didn't ask me. And he does say at least one additional track and a duet? Hmmmmm.....

I also liked this: "See you on TV." Wondering about that one, too.



Bugsy

[Higgy]

Hypothesis: The delay is due to a high profile duet on "100 years". Anyone think this could be the case? Steve Perry maybe?

[Jasongarth1]

I hate to be negative but.....

Dennis has lots of time to promote and release the album in the US THIS YEAR! I was looking at his concert schedule and he only has 7 concert dates booked for the next four months. How can he be that busy? What will he be up to for the next four months?

[stabbim]

I hate to be negative but.....

Dennis has lots of time to promote and release the album in the US THIS YEAR! I was looking at his concert schedule and he only has 7 concert dates booked for the next four months. How can he be that busy? What will he be up to for the next four months?

Whatever he wants, I suppose. All things considered, it's pretty amazing he's been clocking as much field time as he has over the past year or two. I'd say be happy touring is in the cards at all.

I wonder if, when the album hits in the US, he might consider stopping by the Rockies for a spell. I haven't seen him play live since the '97 Styx tour...

[styxfanNH]

Probably a bigger Canadian Tour

[bugsymalone]

I hate to be negative but.....

Dennis has lots of time to promote and release the album in the US THIS YEAR! I was looking at his concert schedule and he only has 7 concert dates booked for the next four months. How can he be that busy? What will he be up to for the next four months?

Remember what Andrew, whose interview will be coming up SOON I HOPE! , said. He has a plan.

I think there are things being cooked up in the DeYoung camp we know nothing about, and some of it probably has to do with the change in the release date of the CD. Not unheard of, by the way.

Bugsy

[styxfanNH]

I would thuink it gives him a chance to concentrate on Canada this year and the US and England next year....

[Jodes]

Well then.. it gets pushed back down south yet again.. I wonder if they are awaiting to see how the 2nd single does in Canada (not just Quebec) before releasing it stateside.

England? Sorry friend, no way Dennis will cross the Atlantic.. But thanks for the laugh!!

As for a Bigger Canadian tour, well.. that could happen, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Canada is a VERY hard country to plan a major money making tour. Newer acts with radio play have a tough time making the tours work up here. Now Dennis has played most of the bigger centers (and even smaller ones, like Halifax) in the last year. Looking back, the only major Canadian city he hasn't played has been Vancouver, BC. But then again so many artists play Vancouver that it is hard to book a hall in that city. Although the population of it is nearly 2 million, I'm not sure what kind of market Dennis would find there.

As for the Prairies, well the economy in Alberta (Edmonton and Calgary) are red hot right now.. Many bands that you wouldn't think of coming are, Stones, GNR, etc, but fans out here are picky. With so many shows coming, if someone's come recently, (within 1-2 years, it usually does affect ticket sales).

Dennis just did a show in Calgary during the stampede, but to less then a third of last years crowd. Last year he played to over 3000 (more like 3600) this year he charged three times more and played a smaller venue. I don't believe the club sold out, and I have been told that the club holds a max of a thousand. Will Dennis be back? Only time will tell. He could have easily played the Stampede Tent again but chose not too.. One also has to wonder how his CD has been selling in Calgary since his gig..

The remoteness of the cities like Regina and Saskatoon also play into the mix. Combine that with very little airplay, it could mean Dennis doesn't want to take the chance of losing money. Winnipeg is an oddity too.. close to the US border, but again, if Power 107 (the main top 40/play anything station) in Winnipeg doesn't promote the CD, there might not be any interest there. Dennis has played close to Manitoba but has yet to venture north..one does have to wonder why, when he's doing other Canadian markets further away from the US then Winnipeg..

The Maritimes, well the only reason why he did Halifax was because he squeezed it into his Quebec tour, and he played in front of what, something like 400 people? The Maritimes in Canada are traditionaly a No-play zone. Unless you are someone like the Stones or the big Moosehead Festival in New Brunswick (where Styx played to over 30 000 people in 1999 btw.. their first Canadian gig with the new lineup) there are very few non Canadian artists that play there. There's no money in the Maritimes sadly, and it's even harder to plan a tour there then it is the Canadian prairies! Most travel to Ontario, Quebec or the US to see bands that they like.

Face it, Dennis knows where his main market lies, and he's marketing it very well, plus it's very close to many other states that he can do the odd gig without having to travel too much.

Quebec still has a love afair for Dennis and it seems for Styx as well. That's what he will focus on.

But if Dennis was to do a festival say in Nova Scotia, Ontario or Alberta.. He wouldn't get nowhere near 40 000 people. He'd be lucky to draw 4000. Especially since he won't bother to release an English only version of 100 Years right now for the rest of Canada, people out here just simply don't know he's got anything new out. If he doesn't release it soon, all momentum for the rest of the country could be lost.

Any word on what single #2 will be officially?

[MtlLady]

Probably a bigger Canadian Tour

YEAH!!

Oops, did I say that out loud??

[blt man]

As for a Bigger Canadian tour, well.. that could happen, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Canada is a VERY hard country to plan a major money making tour. Newer acts with radio play have a tough time making the tours work up here. Now Dennis has played most of the bigger centers (and even smaller ones, like Halifax) in the last year.

I agree, but, you can tour all of Quebec and central, south and eastern Ontario and do very well in this country while minimizing the travel. You get most of the population right there. I will be interested to see if he adds a few more cities to the Brampton and Kitchener dates in Ontario.

[MtlLady]

The Maritimes, well the only reason why he did Halifax was because he squeezed it into his Quebec tour, and he played in front of what, something like 400 people? The Maritimes in Canada are traditionaly a No-play zone. Unless you are someone like the Stones or the big Moosehead Festival in New Brunswick (where Styx played to over 30 000 people in 1999 btw.. their first Canadian gig with the new lineup) there are very few non Canadian artists that play there. There's no money in the Maritimes sadly, and it's even harder to plan a tour there then it is the Canadian prairies! Most travel to Ontario, Quebec or the US to see bands that they like.

I hate to say this, but you're absolutely right about the Maritimes. That's why I flew all the way home to Halifax to support Dennis back in June because I was so happy he had stopped there. Unfortunately, they had major technical problems (outside of their control) for that show and I'm still pissed about the rotten way they were served by the hall after coming all the way to Halifax. That's no way to treat visitors and encourage them to come back. It's been two months and it's still a sore spot with me!! But I digress .... The hall seats 1040 and it was mostly full. Not very many empty seats. I was a bit surprised, because as you say, there's not much disposable income in the Maritimes and they all paid to see the show.

This is one of the reasons why I feel like a kid in a candy store living in Montreal with all this culture available. Oh, and don't forget NHL Hockey games.

[ChicagoSTYX]

The release of my new CD in the USA will be in the first quarter of next year.


Froy..........Looks like YOU will be buying dinner!!

[styxfansite]

The release of my new CD in the USA will be in the first quarter of next year.


Froy..........Looks like YOU will be buying dinner!!

I think you were both right. Froy was right about the release of the album and you were right about the USA release. Call it a tie and go buy each other dinner or get Jy to buy since he has been doing alot of buying lately .

[bugsymalone]

The hall seats 1040 and it was mostly full. Not very many empty seats. I was a bit surprised, because as you say, there's not much disposable income in the Maritimes and they all paid to see the show.

Thanks for setting part of the record straight, MtlLady. That was a shame about the technical problems, but we know they happen to everyone.

Froy..........Looks like YOU will be buying dinner!!

Somehow, I don't think Froy will mind one bit treating you to a dinner of crow, well-done, over the success this CD is already having in the country of its initial release.


Bugsy

[MtlLady]

The hall seats 1040 and it was mostly full. Not very many empty seats. I was a bit surprised, because as you say, there's not much disposable income in the Maritimes and they all paid to see the show.

Thanks for setting part of the record straight, MtlLady. That was a shame about the technical problems, but we know they happen to everyone.

I know that it does happen, but the thing that bothered me most is that I knew that it was not due to the musicians and was due to the hall technical staff not knowing what they were doing. This is NOT the way to provide service to someone who has come all the way to a disfavoured area to play (and taking a chance on losing money) and if Dennis decides to never come back, I can't blame him because he and his crew were unable to put out the best show that they could. I felt SO bad for everyone on stage (I was sitting in the first row and could clearly see the expressions on everyone's faces) and frankly, I was embarassed for the hall staff. And then, you hear complaints that bands "never come to the Martimes". Well duh.

Anyway, such is life. On to the next show!

[rajah2165]

The release of my new CD in the USA will be in the first quarter of next year.


Froy..........Looks like YOU will be buying dinner!!

Glad you can find some solace ChicagoStyx in the fact that Dennis is kicking Styx's ass right now.

[ChicagoSTYX]

The release of my new CD in the USA will be in the first quarter of next year.


Froy..........Looks like YOU will be buying dinner!!

Glad you can find some solace ChicagoStyx in the fact that Dennis is kicking Styx's ass right now.

Sorry ....not even close. DDY is sitting home most of the time while Styx is playing in front of 20,000 people a night.
btw how is that new cd doing on the charts up north???? As far as I can tell it's already dead.

[rajah2165]

The release of my new CD in the USA will be in the first quarter of next year.


Froy..........Looks like YOU will be buying dinner!!

Glad you can find some solace ChicagoStyx in the fact that Dennis is kicking Styx's ass right now.

Sorry ....not even close. DDY is sitting home most of the time while Styx is playing in front of 20,000 people a night.
btw how is that new cd doing on the charts up north???? As far as I can tell it's already dead.

No your not close. Styx is playing to about 3000 as an opening act to an opening act. They are a joke. Dennis has sold more albums of 100 Years in Quebec that Stynx sold in total of "One With Everything"

CD was #1 in Quebec and solidly in the top 200 for all of Canada of which the only marketing is in Quebec. Wait for the second single to get the rest of Canada. Go smoke that.

[kipthekid]

while I'm not "anti NewStyx," their playing in front of "20,000 fans" is a rather disengenuous comment. They're playing in front of Def Leppard's audience. Also, Dennis isn't exactly "sitting at home" - he is touring and recently played in front of 40,000 people.

As far as the charting is concerned, rajah IS right - 100 Years From Now has been marketed virtually exclusively to a Quebec audience up to this point. We don't know, once another single is released, how it might do. The fact that Dennis is #1 in ANYWHERE right now is pretty amazing. I don't know that newStyx has ever had a #1 anything - but I could be wrong.

Right now...at this moment...keeping in mind it's all relative (i.e. none of the above are major players anymore)...Dennis appears to be in a better place than NewStyx, at least from a business perspective. IMHO, he's also in a better place artistically ALTHOUGH I believe I read that Tommy's got some pretty hot new tune(s) that would make for a terrific new Styx album.

[styxfanNH]

The release of my new CD in the USA will be in the first quarter of next year.


Froy..........Looks like YOU will be buying dinner!!

Glad you can find some solace ChicagoStyx in the fact that Dennis is kicking Styx's ass right now.

Sorry ....not even close. DDY is sitting home most of the time while Styx is playing in front of 20,000 people a night.
btw how is that new cd doing on the charts up north???? As far as I can tell it's already dead.

No your not close. Styx is playing to about 3000 as an opening act to an opening act. They are a joke. Dennis has sold more albums of 100 Years in Quebec that Stynx sold in total of "One With Everything"

CD was #1 in Quebec and solidly in the top 200 for all of Canada of which the only marketing is in Quebec. Wait for the second single to get the rest of Canada. Go smoke that.

I love how you lock on to the facts that you make up. Only 3000 people or less at the Styx portion of the concert and 30 minute sets.

Does this look like 3000 people at the start of the concert?????????



Dennis is doing very well. Can't wait for the opportunity to see him again. But both are playing in front of large crowds now.

[stmonkeys]

The release of my new CD in the USA will be in the first quarter of next year.


Froy..........Looks like YOU will be buying dinner!!

Glad you can find some solace ChicagoStyx in the fact that Dennis is kicking Styx's ass right now.

Sorry ....not even close. DDY is sitting home most of the time while Styx is playing in front of 20,000 people a night.
btw how is that new cd doing on the charts up north???? As far as I can tell it's already dead.

No your not close. Styx is playing to about 3000 as an opening act to an opening act. They are a joke. Dennis has sold more albums of 100 Years in Quebec that Stynx sold in total of "One With Everything"

CD was #1 in Quebec and solidly in the top 200 for all of Canada of which the only marketing is in Quebec. Wait for the second single to get the rest of Canada. Go smoke that.

I love how you lock on to the facts that you make up. Only 3000 people or less at the Styx portion of the concert and 30 minute sets.

Does this look like 3000 people at the start of the concert?????????



Dennis is doing very well. Can't wait for the opportunity to see him again. But both are playing in front of large crowds now.

HEY!!! where did you get this picture? it's from Hershey PA. I was there!!! AND i see my cowboy hat! LMAO!!!!

if i could figure out how to "draw" a big red circle on the picture, i would. LOL

I'm up front, on the left (gowan) side, about a centimeter away from the chick with her arm up in the air. LOL.

[rajah2165]

The release of my new CD in the USA will be in the first quarter of next year.


Froy..........Looks like YOU will be buying dinner!!

Glad you can find some solace ChicagoStyx in the fact that Dennis is kicking Styx's ass right now.

Sorry ....not even close. DDY is sitting home most of the time while Styx is playing in front of 20,000 people a night.
btw how is that new cd doing on the charts up north???? As far as I can tell it's already dead.

No your not close. Styx is playing to about 3000 as an opening act to an opening act. They are a joke. Dennis has sold more albums of 100 Years in Quebec that Stynx sold in total of "One With Everything"

CD was #1 in Quebec and solidly in the top 200 for all of Canada of which the only marketing is in Quebec. Wait for the second single to get the rest of Canada. Go smoke that.

I love how you lock on to the facts that you make up. Only 3000 people or less at the Styx portion of the concert and 30 minute sets.

Does this look like 3000 people at the start of the concert?????????



Dennis is doing very well. Can't wait for the opportunity to see him again. But both are playing in front of large crowds now.

And how many people in the broad daylight there actually paid their money to see STYX? Not many..

[styxfanNH]

all of them there paid money to see Styx, otherwise they would be in a parkinglot.

[stmonkeys]

all of them, minus 2. my husband scott, and my 4 year old son conner scammed their way into the show, because i had the car keys in my bag, and they were trying to fund us. they ended up getting seats in the 9th row center (handed to them by a photographer with an all access pass). bastards had better seats than me! PPTTHFFTT

[blt man]

all of them, minus 2. my husband scott, and my 4 year old son conner scammed their way into the show, because i had the car keys in my bag, and they were trying to fund us. they ended up getting seats in the 9th row center (handed to them by a photographer with an all access pass). bastards had better seats than me! PPTTHFFTT

Next time send your husband to the concert and you go looking for him with your son

Not that I agree with Raj, but... if you are Styx fan and don't care to see Def Leppard or Foreigner, it seems kind of expensive to buy tickets to see what amounts to a short greatest hits set. Styx is playing these gigs with Def Leppard for a reason and that is to introduce themselves to a new audience. So, I don't think its a stretch to claim that many of the people in the audience were not there primarily for Styx.

[styxfansite]

Looking at the photo, there don't seem to be many people going nuts about them being on stage, like you would see at a music concert. Must be the sun or the beer.

[Zan]

Not that I agree with Raj, but... if you are Styx fan and don't care to see Def Leppard or Foreigner, it seems kind of expensive to buy tickets to see what amounts to a short greatest hits set.

In 1998, I paid $45 for a 4th row ticket to see "Peter Frampton" and "Lynryd Skynryd" and left after Tommy's 35 minute opening set.

[blt man]

Not that I agree with Raj, but... if you are Styx fan and don't care to see Def Leppard or Foreigner, it seems kind of expensive to buy tickets to see what amounts to a short greatest hits set.

In 1998, I paid $45 for a 4th row ticket to see "Peter Frampton" and "Lynryd Skynryd" and left after Tommy's 35 minute opening set.

Now that is what I consider devoted.

But, unless you are a diehard fan, most people paying their $80 for the best seats are there to see DL or at least 2 of the bands.