A personal web site dedicated to those of us for whom the music is enough.

I was feeling nostalgic this afternoon and went looking for stuff about the NCM's on the internet. Man how I loved (and still love) your music. For what it's worth, I just wanted to tell you that. I was able to see you all perform, at the University of Arizona, back in the '60's and loved it.

I knew a little bit about Randy and Dolan through Randy's site. And having been a huge Association fan, too, I have followed some of what Larry Ramos has been doing. But I've often wondered what happened to Nick, Barry Kane, Barry McGuire Clarence, Jackie, Gayle, and you. I was sorry to hear that Nick passed at such a young age and Gayle's passing more recently. It was fascinating (to me) to read about the reunion and the Sierraland adventure. I'm sorry it didn't work out financially. I wish I could have seen some of the performances.

Finally, I could really relate to your comments about sometimes the music is just enough. I was in a folk type quintet during college and more recently have been writing music and participating in a Nashville Songwriters Association chapter. As an old, retired guy, I spend almost all of my time at a friend's music cafe, here in Columbus,  performing my songs and networking with other musicians/friends. I don't expect to ever have a song cut and am well past the point of expecting any kind of artist fame/success. But it doesn't matter, just playing music with friends is enough.

Sorry to bore you with my rambling, but I wanted to thank you for your website, which I found extremely interesting. It reminded me of an incredible time in music and an incredible musical group.

A fan,

Dick Plunk

Hi Art!

It's Dan Kramer, the guy who had the game arcade at SierraLand in 1994. We rubbed shoulders during the demise period and I remembered your name when I ran across a 45 today in a little record shop in Clovis.

It was Extra-Terrestrial Visitations (1970 Recording) and I was attracted to it for its cool other-worldly primeval synth noises. That, and every Hallowe'en I stuff my 1954 Seeburg juke box with spooky/scary/weirdout singles. This record fit my stringent criteria, once I cued it on the turntable at the record store. Then my scrutiny revealed the writer's credit as "A. Podell" and something clicked!

Yesterday I flunked a simple short-term memory test at the neurologist's office, but your last name and first initial rang out! I dug into my references (Google) and found your web site, then the SierraLand writeup and I ate it up with a fork and shovel. XLNT! I couldn't have put it better if I was in your band...

... I have photos and memories kicking around from my point of view. I abandoned an electronics career in Silicon Valley to move up to Oakhurst that year and  stake my claim with SierraLand. I lost my shorts too, but endured 11 more years in O'Curst before moving down the hill to Fresno.

My daughter is now all growed up and designing clothes in LaLaLand, the wife is still teaching Senior Care here and I spend my (so-called unemployable) days sojourning at a buddy's pinball shop out in Clovis, resurrecting the glorious pinballs, juke boxes and arcade games of yesteryear.

That, and still collecting vinyl singles like a madman.

Feel free to post this letter to your site and if you ever get back to this locale, look me up!

Dan Kramer