You all need to know how Joe saved my soul

Hi All
It has been a VERY rough 7 months for me but I need to let all of you know my story and how Joe, even thought I have never met him, has brought me back from a very dark place. Below is an email I sent to Joe and his management a few months back that tells my tale. I now have the guitar in record time from the custom shop and I am sure we know who made this happen. What is important is I am sure that there are many other people that Joe has touched in a profound way such as myself. I will be working towards getting back my chops and focus on raising money via music for colon cancer research. This new direction and focus is a direct result of how Joe's music has impacted me. He truly has saved my soul.
Thanks Joe I will be forever greatfull, I look forward meeting you this Thursday 3/24 in Worcester to sign my new Les.
Cheers Ron Connatser 

>>>>>>The email
Subject: Your music has saved my soul

Hi Nick

Is it possible for you to get this to Joe Bonamassa? I would rather not post this on the forum but I will if that is the only way I will have a chance for him to read this.

Thank Ron Connatser
>>>>>>>>>>>

Your music has saved my soul

Hi Joe

My name is Ron and I feel  I need to tell you what your music has done for me. I will try to be brief and I hope you get this note.

Up until September 17th 2008 my life could not be more perfect, I had married my high school sweet heart Cindy (married 30 years) we had two wonderful kids, my wife and I did EVERYTHING together, things could not be better until on September 17th 2008 ( my 911) we were informed that my wife had colon cancer. She was never sick a day in her life.  I never knew courage until I saw how my wife handled this and fought. I can only dream of being so strong. Unfortunately on August 3rd 2010 of this past year she lost her battle with cancer. As with everything she left us her way at home surrounded by me and my kids. My kids are also amazing for they knew how important it was to their mother and me that they went back to college. So three short weeks after the loss of my wife they went back to school.

So how does this tie to your music? For me more then you will ever know.

My kids went back to college then I found myself coming home to an empty house just staring at the walls not knowing what to do.

A little more history….Prior to meeting my wife some 35 years ago I played guitar in a band. Started at age 4 and was playing clubs by 12. Music was my world until I met my wife at which time she was it nothing else mattered. Well we got married I sold my Marshall, pedals and Strat for an acoustic and as the years rolled on I hardly played at all for my wife and I were enjoying life together. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Now back to above again…… as I said my kids went back to college then I found myself coming home to an empty house just staring at the walls not knowing what to do. I picked up my Ovation 12 string, that I have not touched for years and then after about an hour of playing it hit me. Playing was a comfort, it sent me to a wonderful place and helped the pain. Well then and there I decided it is never too late so I have started playing again. On day a few months ago I was talking to a buddy of mine and he said you need to listen to this young guitar slinger Joe Bonamassa if you want to hear rocking blues. So now this is where you come in. I went and purchased your live from Royal Albert hall DVD. I must have listened to that 100 times. Joe I know you have probably heard this a million times but your playing is truly amazing. Listening to you play has been the best medicine to help me through this hard time in my life. It has truly saved my soul. I have since purchased a Marshall and was hoping to buy one of your Gibson custom gold tops but I was informed  that they are out and do not plan on making any more. So I am doing the next best thing I am working with my local Guitar Center to see if I can have Gibson piece together a top quality custom Les Paul with the hardware of your gold top. I just purchased two tickets to your upcoming show on 3/24/2011 in Worchester Mass and I was hoping that I could bring it along for you to sign.

I hope you get this message and again thank you for your music as I said you will never know how much listening to your soulful playing is helping me heal.

Thank you so much a new fan.

Ron Connatser

cindyron@aol.com