Sad news from Frogg Cafe...

I just got this e-mailed to me. Those of you on PMS will know already...........

**************************************************

Date: Sat, 03 Jan 2004 22:58:51 -0500
From: Frankie Camiola <chalkpie@optonline.net>
Subject: Frogg Cafe update

To our Loyal Frogg Fans:

Happy New Year to all of you. I wish this e-mail was reaching you on better terms, but I will try to make this as brief as possible. I am writing this e-mail to notify our fans of some news regarding Frogg Cafe. As of now, I will no longer be performing in Frogg Cafe. This is a sad time for myself, as well as the band, and I will explain my decision.

For as long as I can remember (I am 31 years old), I have had a condition known as Tinnitus, which is a ringing in the ears. This is something that I have lived with for a long time, and for the most part ignoring it and just going on with my life - both musical and non-musical. Only a few of my closest friends even know that I have had this condition, since I have kept it pretty much to
myself, until now. An assortment of things have caused this, most of which having to do with loud music. I have been playing in rock bands since I was 14 years old and for the most part never wearing any hearing protection, such as ear plugs. Years of listening to loud music in the car and wearing headphones have also attributed to this, I'm sure. Recently this condition has reached a level in which I would no longer consider this a mild condition - it is much more severe than that. I have been trying to deal with this and it has been a tough time as well as a sad and depressing time. Unless you experience this condition first hand, words cannot describe the frustration and annoyance that tinnitus causes. It is at a point when I am starting to use some white noise - being music or a fan or a dehumidifier at night for my own sanity.

I have noticed a very large increase in this ringing within the past few months, and maybe even before that time. I have been to an Otolaryngologist and an audiologist. The good news is that my hearing itself is still very good, with a loss in some higher frequencies, but the bad news is the Tinnitus is permanent.
There is no known cure for this condition, and it is something that I will have to live with for the rest of my days. I am going to get a second opinion, but deep in my heart I know the results will be the same. I have ordered custom made ear plugs to try to protect my hearing in the future, but as they say in the trade: the damage has already been done.

In my mind, I have gone back and forth a thousand times with what action I should take. After so much contemplating, I decided that leaving rock music is the most logical decision in order to protect my hearing in the future. As difficult as this decision was, I feel that the future of my hearing outweighs the importance of playing in a rock band, no matter how great that band is. I
feel I must do everything in my power to not let this condition get any worse, and this sacrifice is just the first step that I am taking. My soul mates in Frogg Cafe are very understanding and their understanding and empathy has made this difficult time a little bit easier for me to cope with.

The good news is that Frogg Cafe will continue to perform (and record, if possible) with our very good friend Steve Uh replacing myself on guitar. Steve is an extremely talented musician, so I know that he will do a tremendous job in the band. Again, this perseverance by the band makes this extremely sad time
just a bit brighter for me. The band has two upcoming gigs, so please show your support if possible.

Am I finished with music? No way, not by a long shot. I will continue to compose music, which is something that I have been doing more over the past few years and quite enjoying. I will stay play music, on a variety of instruments, just not in a loud electric setting. I need to find a medium which is more conducive
to my condition so that I can enjoy music for many more years and prevent any further damage along the way. As some of you know, I teach music for a living, so protection is my utmost priority. Hearing is "what" I do for a living.

What else can I say? I have loved every single moment that I have been in this band and I have met some tremendous people along the way. Words cannot describe the experience it has been to play with four of the nicest and most talented people I have ever met in my life. My life is richer and more meaningful because of Frogg Cafe. I feel extremely proud to have been on the two albums that this band has created. From the bottom of my heart, I just want to give each of you, our loyal fans, a big hug for all of the love and support that you have given myself and the band for the past couple of years. I truly appreciate everything you have done for us and I will (hopefully) continue to be a part of your lives, just in a slightly different format.

If I can just make one plea, it would be to please protect your hearing. Even when you think it is not too loud, there is a good chance that it is causing damage. If I could do it all over again, I'd do it all over you (joke, for you Caravan fans!). In all seriousness, start using hearing protection now, whether it be at a movie or a concert or anywhere else where there is potentially damaging noise or sounds. BTW, if anybody has Tinnitus and you would like to e-mail me offlist, I would love to discuss this with you and I am curious about how you deal with this. That's all for now.

Peace and love,

Frankie Camiola

************************************************

I'm sure all our best wishes go out to Frank at this difficult time for him.

[podakayne]

i tell my kids all the time to watch the level in those headphones. i try and watch it too. what a sad note. but i'm glad he will still be a musical force.

thanks for the info Keithie.