Memories, Opinions, Stories & Moments
I discovered Julia on Vh-1 in 1989 around the time Porcelain was released. From that moment I was floored. I sought out all earlier CDs and she became the most listened to artist in my car, at home, everywhere! I was in college at University of Georgia when she came to Smith’s Olde Bar, but had finals the next morning. I sacrificed seeing Julia for good grades (I still wonder if that was as wise as it seemed to be at the time!). Then I moved to Korea. I heard she was in performing in Japan, but all shows were sold out. I then moved to Egypt and really lost all chance of seeing her perform live.
Then I moved to Alexandria, Va., discovered the Birchmere, and finally got to see her live in 2003. I was so excited to see her and was a mess at work all day. I was first in line that afternoon and had a great seat down front. My friend Allison was with me, and when Julia came out I was literally so excited I couldn’t speak. The show was fantastic! Then, just as I was basking in the joy of finally seeing her live after 10 years of trying to do so, I was invited up on stage to sing “Manhattan Skyline” with her. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life. After the show, I was invited backstage and was able to meet Julia, her sister, and her dad. She was so gracious and I really was just at a loss for competent thought. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, I was forwarded the review in the Washington Post in which the reviewer wrote that I had “the nerve and sufficient talent to join Fordham on the octave-leaping ballad, Manhattan Skyline.” There it was- proof in black and white that I had indeed “performed” with my musical idol. And the next year when she returned, I again joined her onstage and had had a great post-show visit.
The funny thing is I still have people come up to me in bars and restaurants two years later asking if I was the girl that sang with Julia Fordham. It was without a doubt one of then most amazing experiences of my life. She is truly one of a kind and a talent beyond measure. Thanks for the memories, Julia, and for the beautiful music you’ve given us. You have the top spot on the soundtrack of this girl’s life.
Staci-Jill Sands
Alexandria, Virginia
Beside the thrill and excitement of seeing Julia for the time, the next best memory occurred a year later when I took my daughter to Joe's Pub in NY for her birthday to see one of Julia's shows.
In her always gracious and personable way, Julia signed a Porcelain poster; Happy Birthday, Lauren. I know she and I will always look back on that 13th birthday with fond memories.
Larry Falco, The Bluesman
New York, NY
Drove an hour and a half through Arizona traffic, dust storms, and monsoon just to see her. Never one to let her fans down, so despite the rains, she continued to sing…while holding an umbrella! She was absolutely charming!
Butch Dizon
Manila, Philippines
After listening to Porcelain, I became a fan of Julia's. Somehow, I lost touch with her music during the next 10 years. On a business trip to Pittsburgh in '98, I came across "East West". For some reason, I didn't snatch it up but it renewed my interest in her music. With the release of Concrete Love and That’s Life (which I purchased ASAP) I'm now scrambling to add all of Julia's albums to my collection. "It's Another You Day" form Concrete Love reminds me so much of my wonderful wife that it has become one of my all time favorites. After missing the east coast tour, I'm really
Paul Beardsley
Sumter, SC
We had the opportunity to meet and take pictures with Julia after the show, andwe told herthat "Love Moves (in Mysterious Ways)" had been our wedding song in July 1994. The band that played at our reception was so impressed that the song was added to their standard set list and they became instant fans!
Chris & Kerry DeBenedictis
Branford, CT
I witnessed Julia's gift of music during a trip to the UK during the late 80's. I've been a fan ever since. I remember the day that "Falling Forward" was released. I drove out into the deserts of Phoenix and parked high on mountain. With the top down on the car, sunset upon me, the winds making it's presence known, "I Can't Help Myself" started playing. Julia's spirit was with me at that moment. Since then, my soul feels incredible joy and ease every time I hear Julia's voice. Julia will always be my musical Goddess. Thanks, Julia!
Xavier De Castillo
Phoenix, Arizona
LIKE CHAPTERS OF A BOOK JULIA'S MUSIC HAS SEEN ME AND MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE PLEASER OF HEARING HER MUSIC THROUGH THE UP'S AND DOWN'S OF LIFE.FROM HER FIRST ALBUM TO HER CURRANT RELEASE JULIA NEVER FAIL'S TO WRITE A SONG THAT HITS THE MARK WHICH MAKES YOU FEEL AS IF SHE HAS WRITTEN IT JUST FOR YOU. JULIA MANY THANKS FOR THE MUSIC.
DEAN
CAMBRIDGE,UK
There's just something about Julia's voice and songs that connects with peopleon a personal level. She has one of the most beautiful and unique voices in music and she combines it with great British wit and flair. She's simply enchanting... seeing her in concert is like spending the evening with a dear friend and sharing the best moments in life. I look forward to her next production.
Stephen Cieslukowski
Elk River, MN
We love to remember a show at Largo where Julia told the story of her touring days with Grant Mitchell. She had her audience laughing out loud while she waved her hands like a cheerleader as she explained how the song "More Than I Can Bear" came about. As we were still laughing to ourselves, Julia proceeded to relive the moment of that song. Emotion, passion, pain, and immense beauty poured out of Julia while she sang. The audience was numb, at least we were, and "More Than I Can Bear" will always be added to the long list of treasured Fordham moments.
Fans forever since 1988 -
Trace and Jen
San Diego, CA
Julia Fordham's music has escorted me throughawkward teen years, awkward grown-up years, broken hearts,blissed-out love, and every experience in between, giving meaning to life's topsy-turvy. To borrow loosely from Nietzsche, "Without Julia and her music, life (and love) would be a mistake."
Jonathan Gibson
Montgomery, AL
In my six years of working at the Sundance Film Festival, I never once got excited about any of the high profile movie stars and celebrities I met. That is until Julia came to Park City in January 2001 to perform in the Sundance Acoustic Music Café. I was reduced to instant star-struck jelly at the thought of meeting my favorite diva who I had always adored since high school in the 80's. Her performance in the room that day was at an all time high (and I'm not just talking about the altitude.) My experience at Sundance had reached its peak when I escorted Julia and her band into a sold-out film screening and sat her down in the V.I.P section -- right next to Nicole Kidman. As I watched the two beautiful blondes interact, I thought to myself...I'd take Julia over Nicole any day.
Derek Horne
Orange, California
I've been a fan of Julia since "Happy Ever After".
I am Japanese and been living in London since 1979.
I just love her voice so much, her lyrics touch my heart, and of course her music is always beautiful.
Julia's music always helps me to get on with life, especially when I'm down.
It's always been important to me and always will.
Keiko Egawa.(Miss)
London, UK.
Julia's music has been a part of my life for 17 years, starting with the very first album. The music and concerts are consistently brilliant. Thank your or being part of the soundtrack to my life, and for the amazing instrument that is your unmistakable voice.
Collin Kelley
Atlanta, GA
"It is hard to put into words the high I feel when Julia calls me onstage to sing with her...what a gracious, incredibly talented woman...the moment and memory stays with me as do her words and music."
Tina Angotti
Phoenix, AZ
"I first met Julia working on a Muppet shoot shortly after her first album. She was enchanting and right at home singing and acting with them. Since then I have become a shameless groupie. Her creativity and music never fails to feed my soul. Thank you Julia, for every single note, past, present and future.
Mike Quinn
San Francisco, CA
I first saw Julia Fordham live at the Gypsy Tea Room in Dallas, TX when she was promoting Concrete Love. At that time, I was a bald chick in the midst of chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer. When Julia sang the tribute to Minnie Ripperton - Roadside Hero, I could not contain my tears and it made me realize how short life is and how wonderful it is to enjoy the simple things in life - like sitting and listening to a talented and funny performer. After the show Julia was very gracious and supportive when we spoke to her at the CD signing.
One year later, I brought my girlfriends with me to see her once again at the Gypsy Tea Room. In that year, I lost my mom to cancer and saw my sister go through a second round of breast cancer treatments. I gave Julia Lance Armstrong's Livestrong yellow bracelet for Cancer Survivorship at that showand she wore it - even though it's this tacky yellow piece of rubber. When I thinkof Julia Fordham, I think of the simple beauty of this world -that asong or a melodyor a personcan liftus!
Julia - you rock! Peace out.
Terri Swain
Colleyville, TX
I am so thankful that I happened into a small club where Julia was playing at the Smooth Jazz Festival in San Diego a few years ago. I found there the most beautiful, melodic, mood-altering, life-changing music I've encountered since Chris Isaak came on the scene manyyears ago. I couldn't wait for Concrete Love to be released and played it incessantly for months after I bought it. I love the entire CD and still play it often. It's my mood elevator of choiceand it does it for me every time. I await her new CD anxiously.
A fan for life,
Beverly Bergman
I think that Julia Fordham is very good. I like her songs much better than the songs I learn at kindergarten. I like to sing "missing man", "Butterfly" and "Jump". I like her very much.
Peter Scherer
Los Angeles, CA
My mom is a biggest fan of Julia Fordham. Her music is everywhere around us.
I have been listening her everyday for 12 years of my entire life. I wake up with her songs, sing along with her on theway to (and from) school in the car and go to bed with her songs. Her music makes us happy. I love to see my mom looking happy listening to Julia.
And last summer,finally, I met Julia in person and greeted her for the first time. She knew my name and talked to me so kind. It was very exciting moment for both my mom and me. (My mom has been longing for seeing her gig since she was pregnant with me!)
My mom bought me and my young brother a Julia's CD.Our own CD of Julia.
She will see us, our family often at her gig from now on.
Paul Scherer
Los Angeles, CA
It was '88, I was a freshman at university in Tokyo when I first listened Julia.
Since the moment, Julia has never left my life. I managed to go see almost all her gigseverytime she visited Japan. Every night, I went to listen her. She was amazing. Soon after, I left my country in '93 and have lived in several countries,which has not been so easy.
I traveled with Julia's music everywhere. Her music has filled my house with comfort, encouragement, compassion, peace and LOVE.
Lastsummer in 2004, I saw her gig at HOB in LA aftermore than 12 years, she was evenmore radiant. And she was assweet and considerate as ever.
And now, a marriage and two children later, I am going tostart the second act of my life. And Julia will be always there to fill my heart with her incredible art of music. Because her music is the voice of my life. It always has been and it will be! Thank you Julia, and I love you.
Motoe Scherer
Fukuoka, Japan (currently residing in Los Angeles, CA)
julia's singing and songwriting is an inspiration and bring colour,music ,and spirit to my life,everyday.
ludovic.
aix-en-provence.france.
As the years roll on, Ms Fordham's musical heights seem to have no end, with each release surpassing the next.
The US should give thanks, in having the UKs finest now on their door steps.
Come home Julia, soon (a gig or two will do just fine).
Darren Read (long standing supporter of 16 years)
London, UK
Julia is an engaging, powerful performer--a soothing voice with an astounding range. She is charming, witty and soulful. I saw her in Asia, enjoyed her in America, and would watch her again anywhere else she performs.
Rita Nazereno
West Hollywood, CA
Hi there Julia
Just received your request for information for you new album, looks good hon. Just thought i'd add my lil bits of information for your perusal, lol. I've included a copy of the letter you sent to me when i was in hospital getting my hip replacement. If you remember you phoned me up but i was sleeping in bed, and the nurse wouldnt wake me up, I fell out with her for 2 days after that because of it, lol. Hope the new album goes well and look forward to hearing it, of course its about time you did a tour of scotland, you still have a few old fans, here, ( well less of the old ha, ha)
Hope you can see the scan of the letter here, its a bit faded now, probly been on the wall too long. I'll see if i can find any other stuff and send em, searching under the bed at the moment lol
Take Care
All the Best
Bob Snell
I was on holiday in Spain, cycling high along a mountain pass, surrounded byincredible scenery with eagles soaring on the thermals all across the valley.I thought this is what life is for, these beautiful simple moments.