Arlo,
My wife, who was a former teacher, laments to me at times about her teaching days and if she really ever made an impact on any of her students. I would always tell her that, yes, she has but she probably will never hear about how she made an impact. I tell her that even if she only got to a handful of students that she should consider that a success. We are both now 76 years old and winding down a little and I thought I'd just let you know that your music made an impact with me. When The Beatles hit it was like a bomb going off--I enjoyed listening to radio music but had never bought an album or 45 record. I started accumulating many records and 45s and wanted to be a drummer like Ringo. I would turn over trash cans and plastic bins and use the lamp shades for cymbals. But to be honest I didn't really think of becoming a musician. Until that day in about 7th grade when my school friends and I had a outside tent sleepover. We were playing some records on his front porch of some of his college-aged sister's record albums of the British Invasion bands when I saw an album of a guy and girl in a snowy street. I asked " who is this guy, Bob Dylan"? But I pronounced his name "Die-lon". We proceeded to play that record (Freewheelin") and it was like a lightbulb moment and an epiphany for me. Just a simple guitar (I didn't even know what an "acoustic" guitar was at the time) and one voice. No harmony, no electric guitars, no drums, nothing. Just one person. Then and there I told myself that that was the kind of music I wanted to learn. I put on my Christmas list an acoustic guitar and that Christmas there it was under the tree--an Eko guitar. To make a long story a little shorter I taught myself some chords and read all I could about this so called "folk music". I "discovered" your father, Tom Paxton, Pete Seeger, PP& M, the different college groups like the Kingston Trio, Limelighters, etc. etc. A few years later I discovered you and your music, like Dylan's, spoke to me. I bought all your albums and played and learned those songs and never tired of talking music with anyone who would listen. Most of the people in high school had no interest in folk music so I researched all the early guys and gals who played this "radical" (to most of my friends) music. When my high school sweetheart and I got married after I came back from Vietnam on our wedding invitations, along with the time and date and church and hall information we included these words--"Sail with me into the unknown void that has no end". We will celebrate our 53rd wedding anniversary this June.
So to get back to the opening of this rather long treatise, you and your music made a difference and an impact in my life. I still play guitar. I never played professionally but I still enjoy playing and singing (though that's abusing the definition of "singing" but that hasn't stopped me) and it is a great stress reliever for me and good therapy. I volunteer taking Vets from our local VA out fishing in the summer and just as it is good therapy for them it is also for me. Music for them is also a stress reliever and I sometimes play the old songs and they seem to go back to a less stressful and simpler time.
So I just wanted to thank you for your music and tell you that you had a big impact on my life. I wish you and you wife the best of health and peace in your remaining time on this earth.
Sincerely, Jim

Thank You!