I still remember the first time I listened to Evanescence, that day we were sitting in the car and my dad put in his Fallen CD. I couldn’t have been much older than 10, who would have known that that moment would have such a lasting impact on me? I had no idea that music could bring as much enjoyment as I got from just that one CD- when I thought of music it was what I typically listened to at that time (which was little kids’ music or Christian music). Most of what I knew of alternative and rock music was based on preconceptions- that both genres were just sad or angry songs or was just screaming (either with no meaning or about things that I shouldn’t be doing). I had also though that the people who were in those bands were bad or scary people and that only big scary teenagers listened to that kind of music. As a little kid these were things that I wanted to stay as far away from as I could, but the first time I listened to you sing “Going Under” I knew I was hooked. I couldn’t be happier that I was proven wrong. All that time I had been avoiding the very thing that I would eventually learn that I loved, and I realized that I had made a huge mistake in judging something that I knew nothing about.

As I listened to the CD (mp3 players weren’t popular yet) over and over, I found the types of music that I gravitated to was slowly evolving. Your music opened up my eyes to a new world- a world that I probably would have never found on my own but was exactly what I didn’t know I was looking for. Because of you, I grew as a person and as a music lover.

After listening to Evanescence for a while, I decided that I wanted to get into music so I could sing and make music like you did. You inspired me to learn how to sing and play instruments so I could be in a band just like Evanescence, especially since going forward you learned a new instrument for every album the band put out. I remember listening to the songs and then looking at the sheet music- at first I was just thinking “Wow, that looks difficult…” If I wanted to learn how to play music anywhere near Evanescence’s level, I was going to have to work for it. Thank you for sparking a love of music that has caused me to grow and has brought me so many new experiences- I could never thank you enough.

When I listen to your music (especially anything off of Fallen) it feels like home- familiar, comforting, and safe. Anytime it comes on, I’m immediately reminded of all the memories that are attached to each song. Thank you for giving me a place that made me feel secure and at home. Whether I listen to you every day or let months/years go by, I know that your music will always be there to welcome me with open arms.