As the band he formed with best friends Bill White and Travis Tooke at the University of Florida began turning a few heads in Gainesville, Jack Vigliatura penned an excited letter to Mary Shortt capturing the exact moment their casual musical project started showing some promise. What began simply for their own amusement was suddenly on the verge of garnering an audience, sparked by a surprise connection with a local record store manager who wanted to put their tape on the shelves. Balancing the whirlwind of this newfound musical potential with updates on tennis, upcoming travels, and old friends, Jack’s letter offers a nostalgic snapshot look at The Fully Gnarlies stepping into the spotlight.
February 10, 1992
Mary,
Well, I feel like it’s been ages since I’ve seen you. I hope you remember what I look like. I’m sorry I haven’t written sooner – it has been hectic.
Our band could be on the verge of something really cool. The manager of Schoolkids Records – the place to buy music in Gainesville, heard us play at the Orange N’ Brew once and then I was over at Eric’s and his sister is sort of dating him (the manager) and Eric and I were listening to the tape and the manager (his name is Mike) asked if he could take it home and listen to it because he might want to sell it. Sell it??? I don’t know, it’s still not final but it would be really, really, really amazing if the Fully Gnarlies made it to the shelf.
I’ve started playing tennis again and I’m picking it back up pretty quickly, but everything around here is still the same.
I’m flying to New York on the 28th to speak at that retreat for high school kids and I’ll be back March 1st then it will be one more week and I’ll be home again! Kim Bashford called me earlier in the week and she just broke up with her boyfriend and we spoke for a long time for the first time in a while.
Thanks for all the support you’ve shown me while I’m away.
P.S. Do you like our tape? I don’t think you have ever told me what you thought. Tell me in your next letter – be honest!
Love,
Jack
