Hello, Graham (maddogfagin)!
Thank you for your greetings.
I shall indeed assemble materials & recollections for this esteemed forum.
Let me start by saying the Tull Conventions cannot happen without the efforts of many people, as I am certain you know by your own experience.
One of the most gratifying aspects of the 1st US Tull Convention was the arrival of guests from all over America. Tull fans possess a smart and civil camaraderie, they are good natured and, tend toward a quick-witted humor. Such gatherings, then, are destined to be lively, jolly, safe, and satisfying.
As early as the fall of 1991, we, the organizers, felt obliged to (somehow) inform Ian Anderson, specifically, and Jethro Tull of our plans for the 1st US Tull Convention to be held sometime in the spring or summer of 1992.
We took advantage of a number occasions to see and meet the band at Boston Logan Airport, Electric LadyLand studios (NY), and finally at The Campus Club in Providence, RI, where I delivered an info package and letter to Ian Anderson detailing our plans for the US convention.
As it turned out, dear David Rees, publisher of A New Day, provided the necessary bona fides. And, we remain grateful for his help.
Some months passed before I received a surprise telephone call from Ian's management. I reviewed our plans - which, by then, had been all but settled. No mention was made of further contact; simply good wishes and appreciation. And, I was quite satisfied with that.
Then, in just a few weeks, I received a small package. It contained a kind and gracious letter from Ian; wherein he stated his and the band's intention to make a tape for us to play at the convention. Another letter (hand-written, from Gerd, Ian's manager) informed me that said tape was included in the package. And, it was! Yay!
:-D
M.