*NEW* Mike Chen (bigmikechen@yahoo.com)

First, back in 95, I went to go see Belly at the Edge nightclub in Palo Alto, CA with Catherine Wheel and Jewel (side story with Jewel...she was doing her yodeling/comedy bit and I thought "This girl is pretty funny but can't write lyrics at all. She'll NEVER be popular"...two weeks later, she was on MTV. Shows what I know). After the show, I waited at the tour bus to meet the band. The Gormans came out first and we chit chatted about the different bands they played with (mainly CW and Radiohead) and Chris gave me the assuring "We're not breaking up. You'll hear so much from us, you'll be sick of us!" Gail then came out with a hearty yell of "Chips and soda for everyone!" and presented snacks for the fans. She chatted for a while until it was time to fire up the bus. Good folks, the kids in Belly.

My Tanya story is from the Beautysleep tour at Bimbo's 365 in San Francisco. Before the show, I told my friend that I'd be really really happy if Tanya played either Restless or After Your Party. Well, it turns out that she opens with After Your Party, so sometime during the set, I decide to press my luck and yell out "Play Restless, Tanya!" T, being the good sport that she is, looks at me, then looks at the band and says "I think we can do that. Can we do that?" and the band nods. The continue with their regular set and come out for the encore. Tanya takes the mic and says "This song is for this guy," (points to me in the front row), "I haven't played it in a long time...I might screw it up," and then proceeds to play a nice version of Restless. I was quite happy wih that.

Buck (kevin@magicbrokers.com)

as for seeing Belly/ Tanya live, i've seen her twice. passed on two other opportunities to see her play and blew it. still kicking myself. anyway, the first time was at fort apache for a free lunchtime show sponsered by local radio station. probably about 50-70 people in the studio. at the time i was just a fringe fan of king. was blown away by their performance. been hooked ever since. this was probably 3-4 years ago and now i listen to Belly/Tanya every freakin day of my life, excluding holiday's and vacations that is. have to draw the line somewhere. don't want to come across as some sort of freak. that's my story. need new music.

Patrick Owens (owens@titan.me.jhu.edu)

Well, I never saw Belly play live, but not for lack of opportunities. It's actually a real tragic tale of tears. I think the final count was something like 4, for the number of times they played shows near me, but which I was unable to attend. BUT, after acquiring a personal means of transportation and vowing that I would never agian miss a concert of one of my favorite artists regardless of worldly circumstances......I have made up for it by seeing tanya solo many, many times. (or 3)

Woody92 (Woody92@aol.com)

I've seen Tanya sing three times, twice with Belly and once on her solo tour. She was great all three times, but I have to say my favorite was when she toured for her solo album. The venue (the Double Door, Chicago) was a bit more intimate and the crowd were true Tanya fans rather than bandwagon fans. That was also the first time I had gotten to meet her! Make time to see her on her next tour when (and if) she puts out another solo album. Does anyone out there know if she plans to record again soon?

PS I have seen Gail Greenwood play live now 5 times, twice with Belly and three times with L7! I'm a huge L7 fan also........

KOA (dcrown@haverford.edu)

I also was not into Belly early on enough to have seen them in concert. I did, however, get to see Tanya live this past year on her solo tour. I go to school very near Philly and so I saw her at her one stop here. The place she played only held about 150 people (she was originally scheduled to play a much larger venue, but I guess got moved because of lack of ticket sales). It was so small that the band had to basically line up behind her. I got there two hours early, determined to be in the front row. It turns out that I was the first by about an hour, and so I was up front. It was a great experience. There was no security or anything and the audience crowded up directly against the stage. Tanya's knee was about a foot from my face the entire show. It was great. I came away with a guitar pick, a setlist, and her water bottle. It rocked.

Mackie Bowden (mbowden@lucent.com)

Guess I was lucky since I got to see Tanya twice. Once at the Athens GA show and then two nights later in Atlanta. Both times it was incredible. Mostly played Lovesongs, which already had listened to a 100 times. But she did do Bees and one other song that I can't remember now. Guess with the kid another tour is out for awhile. Maybe, at least we can hope, that we will get another album. I also regret that when Belly was in Atlanta that I didn't go. I think the reason was that I had gone to some other show the night before and could not afford it. Learned that lesson the hard way, they broke up a couple of months later.

Paul Zepecki (PJPECK@webtv.net)

I LOVE Tanya. I have had the pleasure of meeting her and the Belly cast as I'm sure many die-hard fans have. She is so down to earth and her songs are simply amazing. My faves are Angel, Manna, How can you Sleep, and of course, Hot Burrito. If you get any updated US dates, Please email. Love and Tanya Bonding, PJ

Jody M.

I had the privilege of talking to Tanya in person after her October 29th show in Philadelphia! Considering there was a time when I was trampled trying to get near the stage at a Roseland show, this was the most pleasant surprise! I'm still floating on my high from meeting her...she is amazing.

Debbie and Andrew

We went to the Oxford UK show and it was great! Tanya played all our faves (except Super-connected), but like the man says, the solo acoustic encore of 'Feed the Tree' was worth the ticket price alone! - We were right at the front, and apparently (so Andrew says!) Tanya's microphone kept picking up my voice as I sang along! Cool!

jennifer bishop (lbishop1@maine.rr.com)

I met tanya donelly today. in portland maine. before her show, she had an appearance @ a record store. i met her . yay!!!!!!!

angela (anastasya@hotmail.com)

hey! i saw tanya a few days ago in buffalo. She rocked! it was outdoors and it wasn't a big crowd (and it was even free!) also playing was catherine wheel... afterwards i went back and tanya actually came up to me and gave me a hug and told me thanks for cheering her on! i asked her about doing judy staring at the sun but she said she couldn't remember the words but they wanted to do it. they didn't tho. i love my tanya!

Amanda (atkacz@kent.edu)

I missed Belly the first time they came through Cleveland. But i got to see them the second time. And... Tanya reached out into the crowd and i touched her hand! This is the hilight of my life. Belly fans, mail me!