August 8th, 1968

Dearest Dad,

Well… I know you probably wonder what happened to me ——– Well nothing good. I just quit Little Richard. He didn’t pay us for 5 ½ weeks… and you can’t live on promises when you’re on the road – So I had to cut that mess loose – And he still didn’t pay me what he owes me, which is why everything’s still messed up now – But I still have my guitar + amp and as long as I have that, no fool can keep me from living. I hope Everything and Everyone’s alright up that way… I haven’t sent word up in so long that I almost forgot our address… So now I’m starting all over again there’s a few record companies I visited that I probably could record for – I think I’ll start working toward that line because actually when you’re playing behind other people you’re still not making as big a name for yourself. But I went on the road with other people to get exposed to the public and to see how business is taking care of, and mainly, just what’s what. And after I put a record out, there’ll be a few people who know me already and can help with the sale of the record – Nowdays, people don’t want you to sing good – they want you to sing sloppy and have a good beat to your song. So that’s what angle I’m going to shoot at. That’s where the money is. So just in case about 3 or 4 months from now, you might hear a record by me which sounds Terrible, Don’t feel ashamed, just wait till the money rolls in – Because everyday, people are singing worse and worse on purpose… And the public buys more and more records –

So … I just wrote to let you know I’m still here trying to make it, although I don’t eat everyday, everything’s going alright for me – things could be worse than this – But I’m going to keep hustling and shuffling until I finally get things to happening… like they’re supposed to, for me –

Tell everyone, I said hello… Leon, Gramma, Ben + Ernie, Uncle Frank, Mary, Barbra, and so forth –

Please write soon –

It’s pretty lonely out here by myself

Best of luck + Happiness In the future

Love
Your Son Jimmy