I would like to thank The Free Lance-Star for taking the time and resources to feature an article on my daughter's band, Hangin' With Stogie. We are proud and thrilled with the band's success, but at the same time struggle, as parents, to deal with all of this.

We want the girls to be happy and fulfilled, but also want to protect them, their innocence, friendships, family values, and Christian principles. They have enjoyed some success on an international scale, receiving radio play on more than 2,500 stations worldwide, and will have a chance to perform in October in Nashville alongside Brad Paisley, the Band Perry, Reba McEntire, Faith Hill, and possibly even Taylor Swift.

The dedication the girls have shown these last few months and the marked acceleration of their talents have surprised us all. Having backing members like Tyler Reese, TJ Honaker, and Margo Deihl has been like a divine gift.

The success of this band is partly due to many supporters along the way. These include our family, friends, school music instructors, church families, and area schools. Also on this list are band instructors like Edie Dyal, Mike Wheelehan, Rik Lawhorne, Tim Bray, and Toby Fairchild, and past members of this project like Casey Hargrove, Abbie Snellings, and Taylor Breen.

We also have received incredible support from WFLS, WGRX, WBQB, and several area papers. We have had great guidance from our manager, Pat Melfi; our label CEO, Stephen Wrench; our Nashville producer, Jeff Silverman; and especially Jeff Covert of Wally Cleaver's Recording, who took these cute songs and made them into something that captured national attention.

Fredericksburg struggles a bit with recognizing the quality of its local music, so I would like to plug the area's great musicians and venues. They all have unselfishly lent a hand to us.

Andy Reese

Spotsylvania