THOUGHTS

October 3, 1996

My name is Tommy Shannon. I would like to share a brief letter with you about my friend Stevie Ray Vaughan.

I have known Stevie since he was fourteen years old. That's a long time. There is no way I can say everything I would like to in this letter. However, I would like to share with you what kind of person Stevie was. The books and articles written about him focused mostly on his guitar playing. They never talked much about the depth and beauty of his spirit.

Like I said, I have known Stevie since he was a kid. We became friends then. About a year after I met Stevie, we played in a band called, "Blackbird," and then later in a band called, "Kracker Jack." Then, in 1981, I joined him in Double Trouble.

About Stevie:

First of all, I have to say Stevie Ray Vaughan was not perfect. He was a human being like you and I. He had problems just like everyone else. He had to work on those problems like anyone who has the courage to try and live a spiritual life. It's not easy. Many people dare not to choose that path. It means letting go of an old self and by the grace of God becoming our true selves: that which we were meant to be all along. I do not want to sound like I am preaching. I'm not qualified to do that. However, to write about Stevie and who he really is, I have to write about spirituality.

Stevie is the best friend I have ever known. We shared things with each other that no one will ever know. While I was playing with him in Double Trouble, I lived with him and his wife, Lenny (until I got married). While we were on the road, we always had adjoining rooms, so we could always be in touch. I love him so much, it can not be put into words.

Stevie and I went through a lot of changes together. When we were much younger, (before Double Trouble) we had no money. Sometimes we went without food, and other things we needed. However, we didn't mind this much. We were playing music...that seemed to be the only thing that mattered.

About my nine years with Double Trouble:

During the first few years, Stevie and I were doing a lot of drugs and alcohol. For a long time, we were having a lot of fun. Sex, Drugs, and Rock n' Roll...that's how we lived. Eventually, things got worse. Our personal lives, and our relationships with others kept getting worse, and worse. We reached a point where we knew we were in deep trouble. The truth is, at that time we couldn't stop. There was no human power that could help us. Our friends tried to help, but they couldn't. I will always remember one night, we got down on our knees and prayed for help. There was no instant answer. We continued getting high. Was that prayer unanswered because we kept using?

That prayer was answered in the most profound way. That prayer was the turning point of our lives. We had to continue doing what we were doing until the pain became too hard to bear. We were broken inside. First Stevie, and then myself. We had no power, nothing to stand upon. We were beaten. However, that was the best thing that ever happened to us. Even that suffering was a gift from God. We had to reach the bottom, before we could be open to God's grace.

On October 13, 1986, we checked ourselves into treatment...Stevie in Atlanta, and me here in Austin. After that, we started in a program in which we worked on twelve steps which transformed our lives. I watched Stevie grow and change. Stevie was always kind and helpful to others. Whenever he had a chance to help someone else who was suffering what he had suffered, he was there. His eyes would light up and you could see his love and sincerity.

Stevie helped more people get clean and sober than anyone I know. So many people were blessed by his life. So was I blessed by his life.

All of you reading this know how beautiful his music was, how great his talent. I wish you could have known him, I really do...because his spirit was even more beautiful. He was humble, yet strong. All of Stevie's life he wanted to do the right thing. Even when he was still using drugs and alcohol, he wanted to do the right things. He was always that way.

I believe that if Stevie could speak to you right now, he would say:

"Take care of each other. Learn to love. Turn to God. He has all power. No matter how bad your condition is, he can and will change it...if you let him. Have faith, no matter what."

On October 13th, 1996, I will have ten years of living clean and sober.  Each year, in the program, we celebrate by picking up a chip (or medallion) with the number of years of sobriety on it. Stevie had four years of sobriety when he died. Each year, when I pick up my chip, I also pick one up for Stevie. I will do so this year also, and I will do so for as long as I stay sober. When I pick up these chips, I always talk about, and to Stevie.

In closing this letter, I would like to say that Chris Layton and myself are doing fine. We are playing in a band called "Storyville." We just released a record on the Code Blue/Atlantic label, entitled, "A Piece of Your Soul." Also, I would like to say Chris is a wonderful person. Stevie loved him as much as any friend. We were all like family. That also includes Reese.

I would like to thank Martha Vaughan, Stevie's wonderful mother. In her, I see where Stevie's gifts come from. I have no doubt that she lives in the spirit of God. I have never known anyone with more strength and faith.

I would also like to thank Jimmie Vaughan. Without him, Stevie would never have become what he was. Jimmie was Stevie's biggest influence, and his biggest inspiration.

Thank you, Beverly Howell, for asking me to write this letter. There will be more in the future.

God Bless, and thank you,

Tommy