"When fans write to me, it means so very much that I decided I would start a Fan Mail page to share some of the incredible words that have come to me over the years. These people have taken the time to thank me, but their words are gifts to me as well. The person's first name and/or state are all that appears to preserve privacy in a world that grows more volatile every day. If after reading this, you are inspired to write something, please know that I will periodically review and up-date this page to include the wonderful comments and stories that continue to arrive."
Ann Sweeten

I'm sure you get large sums of fan mail and basically this is just another fan letter -but- I don't believe in coincidence or good or bad luck. I feel there is a reason and purpose for everything - It's just in realizing why. Anyway one Saturday afternoon I was in the kitchen making chocolate chip cookies for our 5 grandkids and heard a beautiful song on Soundscapes and walked into the TV room to see what it was that I was listening to that made me think of my Mother so deeply. The TV screen showed "A Place In the Sun", song titled “The Last Day of April” by Ann Sweeten. I thought it was beautiful but I had never heard it before and then staring at the screen a little longer- realized my Mother died the last day of April, 2008. Later I mentioned this to my wife and just a few weeks ago my pastor (who is a wonderfully talented pianist). This past Christmas Eve my pastor remembered me with a copy of “A Place In the Sun” - after playing it several times I pulled out the CD cover and read your words - I was a little startled to read my other favorite song is "A Pillow In the Sky" which you wrote for your dog Jessie who died JAN. 11, 2003 - the day my Dad died. Anyway - that's my short story that I wanted to share with you and yes I am a fan - your work and talent is wonderful. Best Wishes to you in the New Year,

Shawn

My husband and I met you today at your performance at St. Francis (I was the one in the wheelchair). We were just awed by your music and your story and I wanted to simply thank you.

I have a friend, Margot Larson, who is writing a book tentatively titled Against The Odds, and she is looking for seven cancer survivors who have exceptional stories to share. I am going to recommend she contact you, in the event that you might be interested.

I also simply love your poem, Halfway Home, that is printed inside your Passage CD. With your permission, I’d like to include it in the services that I’m planning now for my eventual funeral (I’m in hospice, although I do plan on creating my own miracle and walking out of here in full health!)

Many thanks again. You are a true inspiration!

Liz from Connecticut

"I discovered your music on Sirius satellite radio a few months ago and I want to tell you how much I enjoy listening to your beautiful songs. Even though there are no words, your music has a lyrical quality, almost as if the notes are sung or spoken rather than played, and I've never heard another pianist that I can say that about. Your tender music is perfect for listening to while I work, read, rest, or hike and I find myself smiling when one of your songs is played on the radio. Thank you for sharing your gift with me and with the world."
Robert

"I wanted to thank you for your lovely music.  It touches my heart. I wonder if there is something about it that strikes a note of familiarity or melancholy somewhere within me?  I lost a baby daughter in 1996 whom I very much miss.  Perhaps I'm reminded of her when I hear your unique melodies and use of chords.  My favorites seem to be:
Thin Ice
Grains of Sand
The First Noel
Water Diamonds
Threshold
A Winter's Reverie
 
Anyway, I'm curious to know if you have plans for a new album in the future?  I look forward to it if so."
Dan

" I just wanted to say that from what I've heard, your music has such a way of stirring emotions within me.  I heard a piece from " A Place in the Sun" on the Soundscapes channel, which is on my television music channels, the other night.  I realized right away that it was special, and came right in and looked you up on the Internet. Anyway, your music seems to stir emotion in me, and I'm not sure where it's coming from.  It seems to take me to places of beauty that mean a great deal to me. 
Thank you for the beautiful music…  "
Jo Gayle from Texas

"I first heard your melodious music at work when I listen to Pandora Radio.  My, oh my, what a gift God has blessed you with!  Your music is so comforting, captivating, soothing and peaceful.  In a world so full of conflict, you are a wonderful oasis as I listen.  I work at an Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic, and your music is a soothing balm for me.  I will be purchasing all of your music and pass it along to others as gifts.

Your concern for our environment is one more reason for me to appreciate you.  Your web site that shares the Orange Band Records is so sad and disheartening, especially since I enjoy all of wildlife.  I too stand for the innocent and always will.  God has given us such beauty in this earth He created and we must preserve as much as we can, while we can.

Thank you once again for your beautiful, caring heart and spirit....our world needs so many more people like you.  I have never met you, but I send you love from my heart.."
Frances from Pennsylvania

"I was listening to your CD Reflections at work and these words came to me. Just thought I would share them with you, Thanks for the Inspiration.

Timeless
grasping my inner ear
calming my senses
bringing on breaths complete and deep
I surrender
the frantic beast lies still while near sleep approaches as if a soft sunset
and though the distance of creation and now are vast
I surrender
captivated by ivory notes that rise and fall and enter into me filling me like breath
healing me as if light from above
calming me as imaginary waterfall cascade over me
calling me back
calling me to let go
and surrender.
Timeless
What we create
what we share through our gifts
what we return to a universe so generous
I surrender returning one gift for another
One passion for another
and when the final note is reached
I wait patiently for the next musical passage
to lead me into surrendering
to lead me into the moment
11-15-08
Inspired by Ann Sweeten’s Reflections"
Richard from Hawaii

"I heard your music on the Comcast "Soundscapes" channel. I listen to it while reading. While most of the music is relaxing, a lot of it seems generic to me. I heard "Dawn on Red Mountain" and was blown away. I immediately looked you up and purchased the CD. I am listening to it as I write this. Ann, it is a beautiful compilation and you truly have a wonderful gift. I look forward to buying all of your works. Thank you."
David

" I heard Ann Sweeten’s music yesterday for the first time on SKY.FM’s Solo Piano Channel (the track “November Firelight”) for which I have a Premium Subscription. I liked the music very much and searched for more information on the Internet. Then I heard the samples from the album and decided to order it. I think these are beautiful tracks and she has captured Autumn’s mood... "
Yordan

"' I first heard your music a few months ago. I liked it so much I immediately purchased 3 of your CDs. It's hard for me to explain how deeply your music affects me. Your feelings and emotions are so clearly communicated in your compositions and performances. You and your piano speak as one.

Thank you for adding so much joy to my life."
Mark from New York

" Love her music and gift. Totally gets me high! I was actually playing two of her LP’s back to back on my Napster while my guests were here in November for Thanksgiving dinner and they inquired heavily about the music coming from our study. Thank Ms. Sweeten for me please. There are no words unfortunately to describe her powerful sounds and the accompanying artists that make it all possible for many of us to lend an ear to the indescribable beauty that exudes from the music. Ah music, the world would be a very sad place indeed without our gifted artists of blessed music.

God  bless,"
Linda from Texas

"I have recently discovered your work on last.fm and today went to your website for the first time.

Your website was immediately very meaningful to me because my closest friend, who is also a lover of music and animals and the most positive person I have ever known, is currently in her second round of chemotherapy. I'm sending her A Place in the Sun via iTunes store.

I just wanted to say thank you for both the glorious music and your webpage about your survival and your wonderful dogs. (I hugged my two a little closer after I read about yours.)

I hope your life is as constantly blessed as you've blessed that of others.

Here's something I wrote for some fellow music-lovers about your work:

As a lover of “New Age” piano music since the early days of that genre, I have recently discovered Ann Sweeten and found that there are indeed more great things in heaven and earth than I had dreamed of. While I was recently working 12 to 18 hours a day with last.fm in the background on another computer, I had to keep stopping to write down the track name so that I could buy it later. When I finally took a break, I realized every one of those tracks had been written and performed by Ann Sweeten.

To say her work is inspired and inspiring hardly begins to describe it, and the cliché diminishes the uniqueness of her genius. Her writing on her website indicates her inspiration from her love for life, and that comes through in the songs. And she inspires me to love my world, because, as I listen, I remember and I cherish all those I have loved and who have loved me.

Like great poetry, then, her music speaks on more than one level. You can listen and focus only on the music, and find yourself thinking, “I know where it’s going next,” and then be surprised when it doesn’t—it goes somewhere completely unexpected and wonderful. Or you can listen and hear your own life and loves in there. Whichever you do, I hope you’re like me and finally do believe there is a music of the spheres. She’s that good."
Gail from Texas

"I heard The Last Day of April on Medicom SoundScapes channel. Then I went online and listened to the clips of a lot of your albums. I read about your fight with cancer and losing your dog, the dark time you went through. I found in listening to the songs on A Place in the Sun that something so special comes through and ministers to my heart. I guess sometimes we have to suffer to release something that blesses others. I just wanted to thank you for doing that for me.
Bill from Iowa

" I just wanted to let you know that I just recently discovered your music, and felt compelled to write to let you know how deeply moving your work has been for me. This discovery occured while listening to XM radio's Audio Visions. I am a writer / translator, and often listen to this station while working. Well, all of  a sudden I'm stopped in my tracks like something just went straight to my heart and soul, and I looked up at the receiver and saw your name. I went "wow!!" There was just so much emotional depth, so emotionally raw, yet so delicate and refined. This happened again another couple of times over the next several days. I said to myself "Okay, I've gotta look more deeply into this!"

As I began researching your music, I was particularly moved by your notes about your "Place in the Sun" album. First of all, I hope your health is good. I could relate to many of your insights, particularly about time, and why does it have to go by so quickly. I am a proud father of two, my son is 18 and my daughter is 15, and I just feel like the last several years were a blur. All those vacations at the beach that I though would go on forever.. Childhood memories.... It seems you reach a point in life when you realize life is very short.

Anyway, I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that your music, and it appears your outlook on things as well, have been tremendously inspiring to me. I am a musician myself, and I have never, ever taken the time to write a note like this. Please accept this note as a sincere "thank you" for sharing your gift.

I have just ordered " A Place in the Sun" from your website, and will certainly be ordering much more of your work in the future."
Allan from Quebec

" Recently,  I heard your Echoes from one of your albums, e.g.  " A Place in the Sun."
Your music and titles are brilliant and revealing a holistic talent….forever, forever, and forever like "moments of sunlight fading in the green grass of long ago golden summers."
John from Illinois

" Your pensive music allows me to feel sorry for myself at the end of a hard day, clear my head, and then be uplifted… Your music has taken me on many trips into, of all places, myself. You are indeed a talented treasure. I am sending this letter as an expression of gratitude. "
Rolf from New York

" I just wanted to tell you that I have listened to your CD’s and they touched me deeply. My husband suffered from a rare form of cancer for 6 years and as I listened to your music, the happy memories and his wonderful being became present. Thank you for your wonderful gift of music. "
Marilyn

" I just wanted to tell you how much your music – especially Last Day of April – has meant to us. My wife spent the last 3 months caring for her Mother and Step-Father, both hospitalized. She put Last Day of April on repeat on her MP3 player and left it playing all night, every night for 3 months. She credits you with her sanity and health."
Jack from Florida

" Thank you for you, for composing “ A Place in the Sun”. So full of pathos, so full of beauty – that your body heals with your spirit."
Betty from Michigan