THIS FORUM IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR BC SOLO/SONS DISCUSSION

[D. Rigby]

Music Mark,

Let me be the first to welcome you to the party...late or otherwise.

We all here think Bill is the man and he has had and continues to have a fascinating career.

If you can get your hands on some Sons of Champlin CD's (almost said albums), you can get an idea how it all started. Then get the David Foster produced solo CD's, which most of us thought was his ticket to the really big time. Then the rest of Bill's solo output and then sit back and revel at the amazing music he has put forth. That should get you started.

Hope you get this...I'm a little late gettin' to the partry myself.

[Music Mark]

D. Rigby,

Thanks for your reply. I wondered where everyone was - it seemed odd that this forum topic would be so quiet for a month with all the excitement. I was almost devistate to see Bill's departure from Chicago, but it drove me to check out his new direction and opened up an amazing world of music I was all but unfamiliar with. I know there will be die-hard fans who will wonder what rock I was born under! I believe there are millions of fans unaware of Bill's legacy of original and personal music.

I own none of the Son's or solo CDs - that changes soon! I was aware that Bill had done other things before and during his tenure with Chicago, but I have been amazed after listening to some of this body of work, just how profoundly his style shaped Chicago's sound. He may not have been utilized in writing as much as he could have been - but shoot - some of my favorite songs and sounds were obviously influenced by Bill's artistic contributions.

Well now its on to completing his legacy - I expect to be overwhelmed after getting to catch up with the backlog of Champlin that I've never heard. I hope to get to hear him live in the future - November may not be possible - I am performing in a holiday show for the season. I hope the tour is very successful and that Bill's touring finds him doing some shows in the midwest. But hey, I've seen him all over the country in dozens of Chicago shows - we've arranged vacations around following them - who's to say we can't visit out "left" for a Champlin concert? Sounds like a plan!

[sunny2ok]

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the dance! (That goes for all of the other new members here too!)

For some reason, this topic has been quiet for quite some time. I'm guessing it's because a lot of us old timers read most of the thread about 3 years ago.

BTW, that's not to say anyone here is actually old, just that some of us have been forum members for a fairly long time

Bill is an awesome singer, songwriter, and musician. And his very best music has been solo or with the Sons of Champlin, IMHO.

If you haven't already checked it out, here's a few links for you.

I'm sure you've already checked out the rest of Bill's web site, but just in case you haven't, it's http://www.billchamplin.net

Also be sure to check out Bill's MySpace at: http://www.myspace.com/billchamplinmusic

To purchase Bill's newest CD/DVD package, "No Place Left To Fall" go to DreamMakers Music Online Store at: http://www.campuscustoms.com/dreammakers/billchamplin.html. Please note it's currently on back-order. So, I guess sales are going well.

Here you can buy CD's and DVD's by Bill and the Sons: http://www.sonsofchamplin.com/catalog/

Here you can learn more about the Sons: http://www.sonsofchamplin.com/news.htm

Here you can listen to some great Sons music: http://www.sonsofchamplin.com/media.htm and http://www.myspace.com/sonsofchamplin

And for some great stories about the early Sons, check out Charlie Kelly's web site at: http://www.sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/sons_welcome.htm.

For any of Bill's solo CD's that aren't available at the Sons Online Store check out amazon.com at:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bill+champlin&x=0&y=0 for Bill's CDs.

And http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sons+of+champlin&x=0&y=0 for the Sons CDs.

I hope you find this information helpful.

Happy surfing.

Luv ya,
Sharon

[Music Mark]

Dear Sharon,

You are amazing! Thanks for the benefit of all your research - and sharing it so openly with a stranger. I will certainly check out these links. I thought for the first few days I was here that maybe no one was interested in new people, but I gave it a few days and wow! - its been fun!

I'm recording some Christmas music for my wife and myself - and sometimes when I just get stuck I log on and check out the discussions. It is a great release and diversion - sometimes a wonderful distraction from my work! But great fun, none the less.

Many Blessings,
Mark Sr

[sunny2ok]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your kind words.

Sharing is what it's all about here. As fans, we're all just trying to spread the word and the music.

I actually have several of those web sites memorized, and I know how to find the others without a lot of effort. So, if it's helpful, I'm happy to pass it along.

Enjoy!

Luv ya,
Sharon