Dear Andrew,

Thank you so much for doing the question and answer session tonight. I really appreciate it and I'm sure it was very overwhelming to have so many questions flying at you. I wanted to take a moment and share my Jack's Mannequin story with you...

When I was in 6th grade, Dark Blue came up on my sister's Ipod (we were driving home from a babysitting job). To give you an idea of how much that moment changed me, I still remember the exact light I was at.

Later that year, my sister gave me a copy of Everything In Transit for a trip up to San Diego. Over that short trip, I connected with your works more then I ever have with anything...

JM became the first real band that I was genuinely interested in and followed. I carried around some others (Guster, The Rocket Summer...), but JM shared such a strong bond with me. It was as if the songs were written just for me.

At the time, I had quit both the violin and piano due to lack of interest (among things...). In seventh grade, with my interest in music again on the rise thanks to you, I picked up guitar. Over the past three years since, I have joined 4 different bands, taught several people, and played at least 20 concerts or so (although they were only jazz concerts, I think they count). The other day I played my first paying gig!

You are more then an inspiration. I may not play everything just like you, or dress just like you, or live my life just like you, but you have created a life of music within me that might have never happened, as well as a dedication to charity. Not to mention I don't think I will ever be able to sing normally ;)

So thank you. For everything you do. I hope I get to meet you inperson someday.

Until Next Time,
Griffin DeWitt
Tucson, AZ