Hi Lui,Denise Skelton and I have been talking about getting a moon circle together, here at my studio on Clark Road. The last time we had one out here, we were around a fire in the field, and you were deciding to move away. Denise and I have talked several times on the phone, and agree that we still miss you, even after all this time. I just discovered that I missed your concert in Milton last weekend through sheer ignorance. I'll have to get on the email list so things like that don't get by me. The moon on Monday January 28 is called the old moon in the Farmer's Almanac, and Wednesday, Feb 27 is the snow moon. Would you like to join a moon circle again? Do you have a preference for a date? Would you like anyone in particular to be invited? It would be nice to do it again. Lots of love, Barbara Putnam

It's that time of the year again. Can't wait to - get in the spirit at the Milton Christmas Concert. Our now 12 year old daughter was literally born, listening to your songs. (you may remeber her as the little blonde child who sang Waltzing with Bears sounding off loudly "Walter that Rat...". Anyway, hope this finds you healthy. Jennifer will see you at the concert, shoes off of course. P.S. Think SNOW!!!

Lui, met you after your concert at the Ripton Coffeehouse.I was asking you a lot of questions about your pick-ups,banjo, etc. We also talked a bit about poetry - patterns of repetition,and I mentioned the "sestina". Turns out I was really talkingabout the "Villanelle." I found a few examples I can send you by mail.(Elizabeth Bishop, Theodore Roethke, etc.)If you are interested, let me know.Take care,MAtthew802-434-3236

Dear Lui,It's been a while since I've seen you play. It's time again. I shall look forward to bring my family up to see you play again at Milton Hall in Litchfield. I first saw you play more than 20 years ago in Worcester, MA. Your music is timeless and I've been a fan ever since.See you!Vic Benson

Hi LuiI was listening to the Folk Show on NPr and heard an unfamilair song. Boy, that sounds like Lui, I said, and sure enough, it was. I used to go to all your performances at the Folkway back in the early 80's. I even went to the shower for your first child. Then I moved to Montana for five years and though I have been back in New England since 1987, I have been away from the folk scene. It was surely good to hear your voice.Joanne

Hello Lui, I enjoyed meeting you. Your website is great fun.Are you enjoying the Seasons CD? I think you are living thelife I used to dream about at one point in my life. It mustbe hard sometimes, but really empowering to be living yourpassion. Carry on!Syd

Hi Steve from Philly, I'll be in northeastern PA on May 18, 2002, not too far outside of Philly, in the town of Perkasie at the Perkasie Patchwork coffeehouse. Hope you can make it! But if that's too far away or too long to wait, remember I'm open to invitations to do house concerts, maybe we can fit one in sometime when I'm driving through the area (email Pam Rivers at peaches@aics.net for info). You can check my schedule listings anytime for updates - just click on my website concert button for my extended schedule or to link to Musi-Cal - or sign up (same place) for my email list and I'll keep you posted. Thanks much for your inquiry, hope to see you at a concert! Warmly, Lui

Dear Lui, From your 'musings' it sounds like you've made it down here to Pennsylvania for the folk festival. How about to Philly itself (or nearby)? For example, The Point, a Main Point Redux homage, in Bryn Mawr, has been open for a couple years and would be a wonderful spot. 17 years has been too long, and my daughter needs to hear you.Steve

Dear Lui,I'm Dean Steaven's sister-in-law. You may remember that I wrote you about a year ago asking permission to quote one of your songs in an article I wrote. We are hoping to see you in North Andover Oct 27. Dean and Jennifer are coming to our house first for supper - we live about 10 minutes away from the Coffeehouse. If you would like to join us, we'd be thrilled - my husband, Jay, Dean's younger brother, is an awesome cook, or if you'd like a place just to hang out for a few hours, you're welcome as is any of your crew. Let us know. I look forward to meeting you.Krista Stevens

Hi I am intrested in learning a song that you did with Fred Koller. The name of the song is "Little Green Buttons".I am just learning to play the guitar, and when I heard you too sing this song, I relized it was a song I would like to learn as my first attempt.I have search the internet high and low for the guitar tab for this song, but alas I have not found it. Could you possible help in locating this tab.Thank You for your time and energy.

My family attended your concert last May at Dara and Thorsten's house in Davis, CA. Our daughter Robin loves your kids' CD, and we've been playing it a lot. "Peace on Earth" is a perfect song for the times.

It was amazing to see and hear you again so long after Marbledale Pub! I went home and played "Baptism of Fire" after hearing you in New Haven. Chords sound right but I'm sure I'm missing some nuances. Wanted to come back for that cool jam thing Sunday but couldn't. I have to catch up on all your great recordings. I looked at your schedule and am just amazed at all the great coffeehouses and "folk folk" around that I have been missing. No: MISSING. I knew I couldn't possibly have bought a new car simply for work. I think a trip to Massachusetts must be in my future.

Dear Lui,We have owned North of Mars ever since we heard it on NPR (before children!) We now have two children, ages 1 and 2, and they love it. It is one CD we can all agree on. Repeating is easy with a CD and my older son yells "Again! Again!" whenever Ms. A. Hulas ends. I would love to take them to see you preform. Do you schedule very many children's concerts? I only saw one on your schedule. How about another children's CD?

Dear Bob, and anyone else who's interested in the lyrics to the descant that I wrote for Pat Humphries' Swimming to the Other Side, for my CD Leaving Fort Knox,Thanks for your note, Bob. The descant lyrics start with a quote from one of my favorite childhood hymns, though it made it to that category on the strength of its beautiful old Welsh melody, rather than its lyrical content. It began "We are living, we are dwelling, in a grand and awful time." I changed one word to reflect the present-day interpretation of the word awful, and added a couple of lines closer to Pat's own chorus lyrics:"We are living, we are dwellingIn a grand and awesome time.We can worship, we can cherishAll the ones we live beside."Warmly,Lui

Lui, missed you when you played at the Unitarian Church in Eau Claire, but a friend had me listen to your CD and I loved it. Can you supply me with the descant lyrics in Swimming to the Other Side? Much appreciate it.Bob J

LuiSaw you at Summerfest in New Bedford.......what a great time! Hope to catch you and Dana sometime again before the summer is over!PeaceAlison

Did my homework. Found the lyrics in the CD liner, and on-line. No tabs or chords though.I feel like a goof for complimenting a cover. I do appreciate your delivery. (even Julie Gold doesn't sing From A Distance better than Nancy Griffith).Good sleep and safe journeys...Tim.

Lui,Thank you so much for your performance at Berkshire Hall this past Wednesday. I love "Swimming to the other side" on the CD I purchased, and would like to try to learn to play it for private enjoyment... I was hoping to find the words and at least letter descriptions of the chord changes.I hope you are willing to share them...Tim.

Dateline: Southampton, Pa. Sunday July 15, 2001Lui Collins came to town with Dana Robinson and transformeda beautiful summer afternoon into a magical moment in time.She arrived shod in black Converse sneakers and captivated an audience of some who have never heard her music before.Having been a fan of Lui's for, dare I say, some 20 years or so, I find listening to her sing each time a new and wonderful experience.She and Dana joined for duets, as well as taking turns doing their own music on a stage of freshly mowed lawn. There beneath a towering Tulip tree, as I watched and listened to these two perform, it was obvious they absolutely love what they do. Their blend of guitars, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and harmonies made a lovely afternoon more beautiful.To those of you who have never seen Lui perform, I strongly recommend you do so. The house concert idea is a novel and intimate setting which should be shared by all.Lui, thanks again for another wonderful performance.Warmest regardsKaren

Hi Lui, it was quite a while ago, but I just wanted to say it was nice to meet you at the airport with your friends. What town was that? Boston? Providence? Somewhere in that neighborhood. My next CD will be leaning a little in the direction of folk with tunes like In A Town This Size and Rank Strangers on it.Stay safe out there. -Charlie M

Hi Lui,We saw you in Kerrville at the Thredgill for the tenth or eleventh time; however, this was the first time with our daughter Kelty who is 2 years old. It was awesome, she loved it. Hope to see you again soon.Thank you,RD&K

hi Jeff,Thanks for your note here on June 27, I tried to send you a personal email, but it was returned to me. So I'll just reply to you here and hope you will check in again and see it!Dana Robinson and I just confirmed a duo concert in your area, so I thought I'd let you know. It's on Sunday July 22 from noon-4 pm at the Camillus Erie Canal Park in Camillus, NY. For more info you can call 315-487-7146. Hope you and your wife can make it! Warmly, Lui

Hi Lui,I have set up a date with Dana for the 2 of you to perform in my town! I'm so excited. I've met Dana a few times when he has performed at Happy Endings coffee house in Syracuse. I am hosting a private concert at the Camillus Erie Canal Park. I'm sure he will pass all the details along to you. I just wanted to say "hello" and let you know I am excited to meet you.:-) Mary Beth

Since seeing you for the first time in Syracuse earlierthis year my wife and I have been thoroughlycaptivated by your songs and stories. We spend hoursdiscussing how they hit us... like how "The Dark Silky" relatesto her mixed feelings about motherhood, or how "Swimming to theOther Side" makes a perfect UU hymn (that we will find away to use in a worship service someday). We sing along onwith the kids on road trips. The sheer beauty of songs like"Friendship Waltz" and "Saudade" brings me close to tears.Thank you for sharing with us the gift of your music...we look forward to our next opportunity to see you.

Your performance at the Bill Domler Memorial concert in West Hartford,CT on June 10 so touched our hearts. Taking time from your busy schedule to sing here was most appreciated. Bill (a drum and bugle corps buddy of my husband) was the lightning rod for folk music for 20+ years in central CT. "Swimming to the Other Side" by Pat Humphries just made us cry.

Where can I get your album containing "Waltzing with Bears? I love that song, and enjoy your short clip, but it is too short.

Hi! I listen often to the CD I bought when you sang in Eau Claire. I Love it - Thanks for adding that pleasure to my life.We have a church service each fall called "Gathering The Waters". We all share a sample of water from our summer experiences. I would like our choir to sing your song "Swimming To The Other Side." Can we purchase copies of the music from you?Bobbie Kuchta815 Summer StEau Claire WI 54701

Hi Lui,I was told of this website by my "sister" Nancy and I just had to log on. A little more than a week ago (18May01), you graced my home with your presence for a house concert for my 40th birthday. Your music and writiing have for so long been such a great source of comfort, gentle wisdom, affirmation of individual strength, and peace to both Nancy and myself. Having the opportunity to share what is so much a part of who I am with the people closest to me was truely an amazing gift. That my husband Ken figured out how to get you down to Middleboro was most incredible but just to let you know you touched everyone in my home that night. My children have always been fans but you engaged them in a way that was beyond perception. You are an amazing person. Thank You for sharing your gift, talent, work with us all. Blessings to You Always, Rosemary Simmons

Oops, I goofed, I was confusing June and July. Hope to see you when you come to Acton. I heard you on NPR (NH): music and interview.

The dates in your schedule don't coincide with the days of the week; for instance, will you be in Acton, MA onTuesday, June 26, or Thursday, June 28 (you have Thursday, June 26)? Thanks

LuiThought I would visit. It was nice to read a little of your life since my days in Connecticut. It souuds good. Sure hope your travels find you in Western NC some time.LoveJohn

Hi Lui,I'm the guy who backed up Jenny Burtis on guitar and sang a little harmony from the side bench at your house concert at Jenny's place in Palo Alto. I left shortly after the show was done, enthralled. I considered hanging around for awhile to chat with you and Jenny, but decided againgst, feeling that if I'd hung around five minutes more I would have fallen in in love - incurable romantic that I am sometimes. So, thanks for gracing my world with your presence. Your performance and material were top notch. I was lifted up and I liked it. The best to you and yours. You're on my "gets a free CD" list.Peace,John Eddy

Dear Lui, I saw you at the Rose Garden and had you sign my new copy of Leaving Fort Knox,I give you love and light back as you have filled my life with a wonderful joy. I sat in my wheelchair and I gazed into your eyes and saw what a thrill it was for you to be on the stage. I too though many years ago, sat behind my drums and had that same look in my eye as I watched the crowd smile with each song that was played. You have inspired me to seek a way to drag out the old drums and even with my disabilities find a way to play again.Thank You for your music, thank you for your voice. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.

greetings from Syracuse. Caught you at Madison Hall in Morrisville a few weeks ago. In fact I was one of the gals that helped you pack up your equipment. It was a real pleasure to be a part of a more personal gathering.And it was such a wonderful concert. I hope your trip home was uneventful, only beautiful. Flowers are blooming like crazy...finally, and it fills me with joy just to look at them. Looking foreward to your next visit here. Remember to think about Roone's birthday party on the boat next April!Lui.......I was really touched by your poetry. I know what it's like to stand on the edge and jump. I also know about adapting to whatever that jump brings. Keep up the writing. It's fabulous. Joy to you, Sharon

Dear Lui:I was so thrilled to hear Swahili sung on your Stones CD.KRCL radio (Radio Free Utah) plays your music on the weekends,and I can't get enough. When-oh-when will you ever come outhere West again?

Dear Lui:

Hi, Lui!Hope your upcoming tours are safe and enjoyable.Joseph

Dear Lui,Saw you for the first time at the Rosegarden in Mansfield, 4/21/01. You shared so much of yourself with us. I was so touched be your spirit. Your beauty lit up the room. When I got home I listened to "Moondancer" and haven't been the same since. My heart broke for you and then rejoiced with you. You have risen up through so many obstacles. Thank you for your honesty and the depth in which you share yourself. I also enjoyed the "playfullness" in your delightful children's songs, "North of Mars".I'll always look forward to seeing you and listening to your inspirational prose in poetry and song. I recieved such a wonderful blessing!!!Take care of yourself and your family.Fondly,Cindy

great page, check mine out too

Hello Lui, Don't know if you remember me, but I know you know my older sister Meri. I do remember you two hanging out together as friends way back when in good old Barre, VT. Then your first name was Louise (gosh I hope that's not a secret!)and you used to live near Lincoln School in a white house if I remember correctly. Anyway my other sister Carol sent me your website to check out and it's great! We all have been listening to and loving your music for years and enjoy it so much! You have such a beautiful voice. I love many, many of your songs but a few of my very favorites are "Endless Mile" & "Baptism of Fire". I hope to see you in concert again (I'm sure with Meri & Carol!) in the future. Take care, Barbie

I wanted to pass on my thanks to you for playing at my wedding shower. I am truly blessed with the friendships in my life and that they went to the trouble to make the evening so special. Everyone really enjoyed the evening - especially me! It was really a magical night that I'll always remember. Thank you for being a part of it.Bobbi Morgan & Denis!

Hi Lui,I recently purchased Baptism of Fire as a gift for someone who enjoys your music. I listened to the CD before giving it as a gift, and boy am I glad I did. Absolutely great. I'll be looking for shows in the Palmer MA and south shore areas.

LuiI really enjoyed hearing you play at Bobbies and Denis'sparty! 4/5/01 I wish I could have stayed for your nextset but I had to run. Please Email me if you play inthis area!(CT) Thanks Ross

I found your site because someone said you sang lots of Stan Rogers songs; I'm really interested in Stan's music and your renditions.I also have a wonderful bootleg-type cassette of one of his last recordings/concerts from Mills Hall, at the University of WI-Madison. If you're also a huge Rogers fan, I'd be glad to copy it for you--just let me know.I'm going to go now and Interlibrary loan some of your music...:^) Enjoy your month, as Spring unfolds!David BrostromWaukesha Wisconsin

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