To all the friends and fans of Maynard Ferguson,

First of all I want to thank everyone for their kind words since my father's passing. We all share a great loss, but with time the sadness will fade and we will be left with wonderful memories.

I received many heartfelt emails and letters from people who believe that Maynard's music changed their lives, that he inspired them, that his overwhelming joy of performing and love of life rubbed off on them, that his mantra of "Music has to be fun", was proven at every show and clinic. Maynard and the people who love him are proof that music matters.

That said, I would like to ask everyone who would like to, to please write their Maynard experience and email it to me. My goal is to create a powerful document, that proves the power and importance of music education. Maybe it will also help get Maynard a life time achievement award, maybe it will just be a beautiful testament to a wonderful human being who we were lucky to know. When it is put together I will post it. --Love Wilder

Note (added March 2007): There is one thing that I wish I had thought to ask about before. I would like to have a photo to go with each story. If each story had a photo with it that was taken the night the story was about, then we would truly capture the life of Maynard. The project would be put in chronological order, thus demonstrating that even though Maynard is old in the last part of the book, he was still giving 100%.

If you didn't take a photo that night, please make sure I have the date and maybe even venue. Then I could try to find a photo from about that time. Your photo would be nicer though...

Many people mentioned that their father took them to their first Maynard concert and so if you had a photo of all of you, you, your father and MF, that would be a great photo.

Please give me permission to use the photo. The photo can be sent to wilderproject@yahoo.com.

How has music affected your life in a positive way, using your Maynard experience(s) as an example?

Your name (first name or full name):

Your E-mail address:

Age:

Town:

State/Province:

Country:

Profession/Title:
(Profession is important because it proves how music crosses all boundaries.)