Dear Amy Winehouse

When I first heard the song "Rehab" I was stunned by the depth, power, and soul in your voice. There is a timeless quality to it that makes it sound as though your vocals could have been recorded a week ago or nearly a century ago. The comparisons to Billie Holiday are unavoidable, but beyond the simple textures you share in common with her vocals, you also exhibit the same tortured private life that plays so heavily in the pained expressions evidenced in your voice.

Hey, it is bad luck that people in today's entertainment industry don't have the same luxury afforded those decades ago. Today nothing is private. As if regular check-out tabloids aren't bad enough, with digital photography, cell phones, and bluetooth and wifi connections, nothing you ever do is more than 30 seconds away from celebrity sites like Gawker, What Would Tyler Durden Do, or I Don't Like You In That Way. Substance abuse and addiction disorders are the main course for the sharks surrounding celebrities such as yourself.

What is the biggest difference between you and a lot of the people who frequently appear on those sites? Talent. You didn't appear on some mind-numbing reality show. You didn't sleaze your way into some idiotic movie. You didn't have the priveledge of being born into a ridiculous wealthy family. You were born with a rare talent and you worked hard to make your special gift translate into a career. While many of the troglodytes who populate the gossip columns manipulate their appearances to maximize their exposure, you on the other hand don't need the publicity. You musical talent is PR enough.

I was lucky enough to see you perform at the Virgin Music Festival in Baltimore, MD last summer. In the two days of stunning performances, yours stood out as truly soulful and heartfelt. I had heard the songs many times at that point, but the way you brought them to life during the performance is something I will remember for a long time. I've seen well over five hundred bands perform in my 16 years as a concert goer, and yours ranks among the top.

Please, Amy, for the sake of people who appreciate good music, get yourself into a healthy lifestyle. Cast aside the toxic substance, and the hurtful people who are complicating your life. Yours could be a prolific career with countless pieces of work that could stand the test of time. So many other musicians expire before their time due to their own abuse of their body. Your beautiful voice is a unique gem in a veritable sea of flawed stones and hopeless mediocrity.

Please, Amy, get some help. Don't wind up being remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Your fan,

Mike