I'm sure you have probably seen this story about the 8 year old girl on stage with Sheila E. in Chicago in the Ringo Starr tour forum, but after reading it, I just wanted to send it along with my "Thank You" for a great time in Amarillo, TX. I was there in the second row with my daughter at her first concert. Weeks later she is still talking about the show and how she wishes she could have held onto that drumstick! It was a terrific night thanks to you and your interest in the kids. I mentioned that to the guy sitting next to me, how cool it was that you invited all the kids up front. But it was also a tremendous site to see that many parents brought their child to the show. Thanks again. It was a night I will never forget!
Jack L.

Last night we attended the Ringo Starr concert. Sheila E. had invited all the children to the front of the stage. My 6 year old daughter was at the very front. From where my husband and I were sitting, we saw Sheila E. lean over and give a child her drumstick. I leaned over to my husband and shouted, "She probably gave that to Sage". Then I started thinking, my little girl is sooooooooo tiny, Sheila E. probably didn't see her. My little girl made her way back towards us. She shouted in my ear, "She gave me her drumstick but I gave it to someone else"! My husband and I were so angry at her because she is ALWAYS giving her things away to make other people happy. As we started to scold her, she started crying. I hugged her tightly and said that she had learned her lesson. As we finally got home, I began tucking her into bed. She looked at me and said "You know, the little boy that I gave the drumstick to, his face was all burned on one side of his face". I almost started crying. I think my little girl taught me a lesson last night. If you happen to know Sheila E., please forward this story to her and let her know that she touched more lives that night than she realizes. Tell her my little girl was the tiny one in Amarillo, TX that was wearing orange and had her long hair pulled back in a ponytail (she is Hispanic). Maybe she might remember her! Thank you soooo much for your time.
Michelle S.

Dear Sheila,
We saw you in concert last night with Ringo's All Starr Band at Next Stage in Dallas and were knocked out by your incredible drumming!! Your first solo on the DW kit was amazing. We were sitting in the 2nd row right in front of your set and our spirits were lifted all night by your incredible smile! My wife Nellie got one of your drumsticks and we were both excited with bringing home a souvenir from your gifted hands. Now that we've seen you play live, I brought our your Sex Cymbal CD and we listened to it and found your website. We had such an incredible time, we were both moved to write a note of thanks and appreciation for your warm and gracious spirit. Especially your inspiration to the kids that I'm sure will remember your performance and cherish the sticks they got from you. Thank you for your inspiring performance with the timbales. It was amazing to watch you from such a close in perspective, almost like a live clinic! This was the most awesome concert experience ever and we will continue to follow your amazing career!
May God bless you and your family!
Mike & Nellie W.

Dear Sheila,
My husband and I saw you at the Chicago Drum Clinic and wanted to give you your props for such an amazing performance! You are an angel from above and we thank you for all your inspiration throughout the years. We think it's so wonderful that you are making a difference and helping out the "E-Kids" of the world. Our 3 year old son is just beginning to play drums/percussion to your songs. May God continue to shine his light on you! With Love & Divinity,
Sharon G.

May God Continue To Give You The Desires Of Your Heart.
Ms. Sheila E. I have always loved to see and hear you in concert, I got a chance to see a side of you that I thought could never happen. We attended the Drum Clinic in Chicago on Monday, August 11, 2003. I must say that you are truly an awesome percussionist and drummer! My great nephew who plays a drum set and has never played the timbales got a chance to play with you and the other kids that you allowed on stage. He interrupted you to ask how much did the timbales cost. You were so loving to all of the children even the big kids (adults). Please never give up the vision that God has given you!
Peace be unto you!
Vanessa J.

Hi!! My name is Lisa, I'm 13 and I'm a huge fan of Sheila. I'm glad I finally found an email for the official site :). I just wanted to say that I first saw Sheila on the Ringo Starr tour in August 2001. I was sooo amazed! She is such an incredible drummer. I looked her up on the computer and came across www.sheilae.com and from then on I've been following her. I just recently saw Sheila E on the Ringo Tour again, on August 2, 2003 in Atlantic City and August 5, 2003 at Westbury with my parents. I had a big sign for her that said "SHEILA E. ROX!" with a picture of drums on it, but the guy wouldn't let me bring my sign in. :( I loved her performance that day, she was talking to the people in the front row as she was playing!! She seems like such a nice person. Every time she plays, I'm just amazed!! I've been playing the drums since i was 6 years old, but stopped a few years ago. After I saw Sheila E. play, I started playing again. She is so inspirational! I wish I could meet her one day. I wish I knew about the drum clinic in NY on July 28, I definitely would of gone!! I hope Sheila does more. I listen to is her song The Glamorous Life about all day long - I LOVE it! I just wanted to let you guys know how AWESOME she is, even though everyone knows that already. :) Love,
Lisa

I was fortunate enough to attend the August 4, 2003 show at the Westbury Music Fair. When all was said and done, I was extremely impressed! What I took away from the show more than anything else was how talented and beautiful Sheila is! I think her ability and overall musicianship as a percussionist is second-to-none and her love of music is unparalleled. What struck me was her sheer love of children and her genuine appreciation for the fans. She took time out to interact with the crowd and made a special connection with the children in the audience. Thank you Sheila for a wonderful evening. I hope to see you again with Ringo and the AS Band as well as any other solo projects in the future! Be sure to book more dates in NY. I'll be there! :)
Bill E.

Hello, Sheila,
At 46, I am well past the age of writing fan mail, but your performance with Ringo and his band moved me to do just that. The concert was outstanding and the musicianship, vocals, and songs performed by you and your band mates were downright intoxicating. But that's not the reason for this note. It was your smile. From the opening number and throughout the show, you had the biggest smile on your face. It was as if you were an audience member - for your smile mirrored the ones all of us in the crowd wore. It was so wonderful to see a performer having at least as good time as we all were. And, I'm telling you, your smile beamed the entire evening. It lifted me right along with the music. Rock on!
Brian F.

I was fortunate to see you at the Long Island Drum Center's drum clinic last night and I just want to say that it was one of best I have seen. Many drum clinics are mainly a drum solo and I feel the kids don't learn much from the artists even when they explain how they play and approach the instrument. Your clinic was very informative and down to earth...it gave the kids hope to become great drummers.
I have been playing drums for 20 years and have seen you play since you came on the scene (MTV generation)and it was enjoyable to see a woman play just as well if not better than males.
Your a classy lady and many people can learn from you. I did.
Bill C. - Drummer for Life

Dear Sheila: Thanks so very much for your enthusiasm and energy at the Stewart Thomas Manor drum clinic for the Long Island Drum Center. You must always hear that you are an inspiration to so many and it was certainly evident yesterday evening at the clinic. My three kids (the ones that don't "p-p-p-practice"...Sean, Victoria and Julia) couldn't stop talking about you today. Lynn was also wonderful. Thank you both for not rushing during the autograph session following the clinic; you treated each person you met as though they were the only person there. As many people as you must meet every day, and as routine as the autograph session must be to you, the people meeting you for the first time will always remember that moment...and your patience with that truly demonstrates the wonderful person inside of you. Lynn also had a warm, inviting smile that made everyone feel comfortable, even with the excitement of the crowd around you both. Thank you again and again. You inspired many children and adults at the drum clinic. Regards,
Sean, Victoria and Julia's mom ... Deborah P.

P.S. We will remember and support Elevate Hope Foundation whenever possible. Thank you for your efforts on behalf of all those children.

Last night I attended my first Drum Clinic...my husband has been a drummer for years, so when he found out that you were going to be there (because I knew who you were, although he didn't) he got a ticket for me...my daughter & I saw you & your clan on the Wayne Brady Show...we attempted (went to 4 stores) to purchase your Dad's new CD only to be told that it wasn't released yet...well, it was worth the wait!!!!
You were so humble & sincere & your stories bought back some wonderful memories for me as well. Thanx so much for your "blessed" talent & for sharing it all with us last night, my husband was VERY impressed with you!!! Hope to see you at Westbury. Take Care,
Terry

I just came back from your concert in Buffalo, in Darien Center with the All Star Band. Well Sheila, I am thoroughly impressed with your music ability. You brought the house down. Great drum solo!! You were definitely the driving force tonight with Ringo! I'm not easily impressed since I love RUSH with Neil Peart, but you made a believer out of me. I give you a standing ovation. Thanks for the great show.
Pete L.

Sheila, Sheila, Sheila...what can I say??!! I also just got back from the DARIEN LAKE concert with Ringo....and was compelled to find your site when I got home. It was a lifelong dream of mine to see one of the Beatles in concert and it was great seeing Ringo. Thanks Sheila E. for really rocking out the Beatles' songs. And for your solo and your own songs words cannot express....I've been to lots of Metal shows and seen some great drummers but you rock and give so much to the audience!! I've seen the intensity of the likes of Tina Turner live and you are on the same level. Thanks so much!!! You also inspire me since I'm a bass player in a studio solo project....I'll play just a little harder at the next session. I agree also with the guy that likes Rush. Later,
Tim B.

Greetings Sheila,
I go back to the day when your dad was pounding out conga's with Carlos Santana and you were a little younger, hell I'm only 41 but I want to express my gratitude to you and your family for making my younger years (Prince, Sheila E solo, George Duke, Lionel Ritchie Days) very happy. You are still (like your parents) one of the most undercredited performers on the planet earth; however if the average person really listened......I mean really listened to the beautiful grooves that you've mastered over the years on kit, conga and timbales.........they'd JUMP!
I am based out of a city in Northern Ontario Called Sudbury (4 hour drive North of Toronto) only a 2-3 hour drive to Orillia. I missed the concert and was amazed that you were so close to my home. Thank you so so much for doing what many drummers don't do these days........PLAY...just simply PLAY! Too many young drummers try to get cute and too busy.
The next time you are having a bad...bad day, "ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS": Somewhere on the planet someone is listening to one of your songs and humming it....somewhere on this planet someone is having a party and some of your ol' school grooves are playing, and somewhere on the planet, some father is saying to his 8 year old daughter who is pounding a drum kit in the garage "Wow, your going to be like Sheila E"..."Sheila who?" replies the daughter? It doesn't matter cause when she sees you play, she'll be inspired like never before........YOU MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY GIRL!
Thanks so much. The universe opens up every time you play........ I owe you at least these words. Kindest Regards,
David C.

I just saw Sheila E. last night with Ringo Starr's All Star Band in Easton, PA - WOW! She ROCKS and ROCKED THE HOUSE ALL NIGHT - As a female bass player, my jaw was hitting the floor the whole night - especially her timbale solo and drum solo! You go Girl!
The question is: Why isn't Sheila E. putting together her OWN Group? She's got it all, great looks, great vocals and unreal drumming! There's got to be women out there ready and able to rock on - I know I am! So, Sheila - we're waiting for YOUR ALL STAR GROUP - I bet you could get some great women musicians together and have a very successful gig - not to mention, a blast! Best of luck on the rest of your tour, and looking forward to seeing you again! Thank you for all the inspiration.....and thanks for believing in yourself!
With great admiration,
Nina M.