Dear Tuomas;
Yesterday was probably the darkest day of your life. You and Tarja have known each other since you were in primary school. Though you were not buddy-buddy in those days, you described her as a "sweet country girl." As it was when Sami left, you had to wrack your brain for many a night to see if it was the right thing to do. You mention on "End of Innocence" that you felt guilty about Sami. I know you probably feel worse about Tarja. Please take refuge in the fact that Tarja will go on to do what she loves, and you will go on to create the magic in your words and music. You needed to do what you had to for the sake of Nightwish and not for any personal animosities, and it shows in the way you wrote your letter. The way you wrote your letter was a very classy act on your part. You allowed people to see inside of you outside your music. And, you are indeed to be commended. However, This is not "The end of an era" as you mention. It is the Dawn for the rest of Nightwish.
You now have a golden opportunity to finally enter the pantheon of the great musical storytellers of all times. You have a chance to join the gods like Croce, Chapin, Burton and Bryan Adams. Your storytelloing in music is the stuff of magic. Magic that has little kids and old women listening to your words. You now have the opportunity to select someone who can project the magic of your words into the stratosphere. I know of just that person who can project it. Someone who is not full of herself, someone who has seen pressure first hand, someone who is your age, and someone who can finally give you the exposure in the area where it counts: North America. And, you can do it without sacrificing your sound.
That person is Canadian rocker, Tara Slone. She was the former frontwoman for Joydrop, and a competitor in the series "Rock Star: INXS".
Now, I know that you have an affinity for keeping Nightwish "in the family" by selecting someone from the Sibelius Academy. This is very understandable, considering you would want to share the same language and culture as your frontwoman. However, I urge you to resist that temptation. I say this not because I do not believe anyone from Sibelius is incapable of fronting Nightwish. There would probably be many people out of Sibelius who could easily fill Tarja's shoes. However, that person would be under a massive microscope from your countrymen, as well as the Finnish media. If she breathes wrong, they will pounce and claim "She is not Tarja." Do you really want to subject a Sibelius grad to that?
This is where Slone comes in. Since she is an unknown in Finland, little will be expected of her. However, she will be able to handle the pressure far better than anyone from Sibelius. She has performed before 10-15 million people worldwide each week on the series "Rock Star: INXS". So, the Finnish and European press corps will be a pushover for her. That alone would be good for band harmony, as she could handle the questions
fired at her. Her singing? Tara, like Tarja, is a classically trained soprano. Her voice is somewhat deeper than Tarja's, but her range is very similar. SO, she can sing your visions. Furthermore, she will bring her following towards Nightwish without Nightwish sacrificing any of its style. She will be the key that opens the door fully to North America.
Tuomas, I know that you might want to tell me to go to blazes. It is understandable, for I know that this is a very emotional time for you. However, adversity is the mother of opportunity. You now have the opportunity to further project your inspiration and magic over the rest of the world. The opportunity is there for Nightwish to join legends such as the Beatles and Iron Maiden and the Rolling Stones as one of the greatest acts of all time. I know that this may sound outlandish and far fetched, but it does not have to be.
So, while you are in your room tonight, looking at your posters of "Fantasia" and other Disney memorabilia, please take a moment to think about the trials and tribulations of the great American animator, Walt Disney. Think about the things he had to do to create his vision, the very visions that you enjoy so much. Once you have done that, then go to the phone, and do what you have to do to project your vision.
Call Canada,and get a hold of Tara Slone.
You will be glad you did.
Stay Heavy, and Keep it Real.
Yours in Nightwish and Peace
Ray C.
New York, USA
