A Letter to Chris

Dear Chris,

I know you may never read this but I feel the need to respond to your words of gratitude you wrote in the greatest hits CD. You thank us, the fans, for your success over the last ten years. Give yourself a little credit, though. If you didn’t have the talent and gumption, you wouldn’t have made it this long. :) But I get what you’re saying.

But it’s not just you who feels grateful. I can’t speak for other fans; I speak only for me and from my heart. I must give thanks to you for providing the soundtrack for the last six years of my life. Through the highs and lows, I could always find a song to fit the situation. “Tennessee Line” gave me the spark I needed to write Sunset Park, my first published book which was a dream I didn’t think would ever happen. Your success has shown me that it’s possible to have dreams come true. When I write, I often create playlists to go along with my stories.

I’ve been to the bottom and you were there for me in song and you are there for me as I try and climb up. “I’ll Fight” speaks volumes to me. Your positivity in your newest song “Torches” reminds me to look for the good and not give into the negativity I see too often in my life.

But it’s your lyrics and soothing voice that helps the pain and gray of my depression. “Get Me Through” and “Witness” have become anthems that reverberate in my soul and I can relate to the story told in “You Don’t Belong.” I’ve had “Waiting for Superman” on repeat in my car the last few weeks because it’s another song that I can relate to at the moment. Daughtry’s songs gives me hope. They give me life. You give me life and for that, you will always have my gratitude. I have had the honor of meeting you after a few concerts (including in the middle of a snow storm as seen below) and I hope that luck follows me for future concerts so I can thank you in person.

A fan forever,

Dana