I was going through some of your letters on your site. I can't believe how many ppl want to see you get married. I'm with you why ruin a good thing buy getting married. I've seen so many people in my life get married only to get divorced. My theory: there is nothing wrong being with someone you love and being happily unmarried to that person.
Lisa Robinson
Dear Gene (or whom ever reads this email),
I just wanted to give you a big thank you...THANK YOU!!!!!!! My husband & I were watching your show on A&E about 2 weeks ago...(I couldn't even tell you which episode it was), but you made a comment from the couch stating that you would do anything for your family because "I love you" doesn't feed the babies. That one single comment changed our lives...Let me explain:
My husband has a lot of experience in the medical field. In fact, he has a lot of friends that are doctors. On more than one occasion, they have told him that he should go back to school to become a doctor himself. He has just pushed it aside for years. Last year, he was the nurse manager of a clinic. While he worked there, one of the doctors that shared the clinic & a PA (physician's assistant) told him that he needed to go back to med school as well. He did some checking & learned that all he had to do to get back into school was to take his sciences over again because they were too old. Rick will be 52 this coming August. He felt that he was too old to be going back to school; he felt that he just needed to be chugging along as usual...not leaving his comfort zone.
Well, when we show that show, he was working at his desk in the living room. He looked up for his work & said that he wasn't doing enough. Rick & I have been doing some serious talking over the past few days & have decided that he was going to take those classes & get back to med school. As a result of that one episode, he is taking a placement test on July 13th & starting school this coming August. He has decided to go to school to become a Physician's Assistant. We figure in about 2 years, he will be done with school & on his new career path.
I know that this would not have happened if we hadn't seen your show that day. I just thought that you deserved to know how you have affected our family in a VERY positive way. Thank you for being such a worthy role model for others. You are a great inspiration to our family.
Sincerely,
Angela & Rick Decker
Response from Gene:
Go get em, Rick.
Mr. Simmons:
I know the chances of you actually reading this is zip to zero, but I am compelled to write nonetheless. I happened upon your show, Family Jewels, one day and was pleasantly surprised by what I viewed. As my grandmother used to say, "You should never make a judgement on what you see on the outside as you might miss the diamond on the inside." I admire what you and Ms. Tweed have built for your children and given to them ( I am not talking about money or material things). They seem to have a real sense of who they are and are appreciative of the life they live. They do not behave like spoiled little rich kids who feel as if they are entitled to whatever it is they want as so many famous children do. That can only come from parents who have given of themselves in every way and by watching the excellent example set by the both of you. I love that you and yours are not pretencious at all and have a work ethic that lacks, unfortunately, in a lot of children today. I must say I love Ms. Tweed's special brand of spicy that is hers alone. She moves with an ease that is so very self-confident, without being snotty, and quite a good example to young woman whom may lack confidence in who they are.
I also love the wonderful marshmellow father that you are and how very important family is to you. You are showing men around the world that it is okay to shed a tear for the love of your family. That it doesn't make you any less a man, but in my opinion, more of a man. To show your son, by example, that having emotions and showing them is what a real man is. Thank you for sharing your family with me. I appreciate you.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Chilcutt
Dear Gene:
I just wanted to say thank you and to the band, I have been a KISS fan since 1976. So you will understand further, I grew up in an evangelical home and listening to KISS was going to send me to hell! The funny twist was my grandmother who lived with us was a pastor’s wife and she loved you guys, especially Paul! Go figure. She would give me money to buy albums and concert tickets.
I have said that to say this, I have been in ministry for 20 years now and I get tired of all the crap that other ministers pontificate. Read the book, especially John 3:17 which most of these ignorant men never quote. John 3:17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved”. What ever happened to loving people? Judge not? That is why I am called the Rad Rev, because I am radical in most of points of view. You and I have the same God, Jehovah; I have some Hebrew in my linage. Also I am a terminal cancer survivor and during my treatments I would watch Family Jewels, it helped my take my mind off of me and the pain and enjoy life. Laughter is the best medicine. The great news that the cancer is gone and I still watch the show.
Gene, I cannot apologize for the ignorant people and the stupid things that were said, just know there is one that loves you and the band. The truth be known, I am sure there are more who feel the same way, but are too afraid to admit it! I choose to look beyond persona and see the man, may be others should do the same.
God bless you, Shannon, Nick, Sophie and the band.
Sincerely,
Jerry West
Response from Gene:
Thank you for the kind words. But I'm not interested in human judgements and comments.
I know God personally. Talks to me all the time. Says he doesn't care if you worship him...only that we're kind to each other. That's what he said.
Oh yes, as to Sons of God, or Buddhas or others...he says it's a waste of time. Don't worry what to call him. You can't pronounce it, anyway. And besides, God doesn't have a name. He says, just be kind to each others.
Was wondering if you were at the Dodgers game last night I thought I had seen you there?
Steve Carson
Response from Gene:
Nope. Not me.
Hi Gene,
Just wanted to say that I love your show. You have an amazing family! I grew up listening to KISS with my dad. One of the best moments of my childhood is rocking out with my dad! Family Jewels is a great show that keeps me laughing and reminds me that there are genuine people out there like you Gene!
Thanks!!!!
Ashley Muller
Dear Gene and Family,
This letter is addressed to the four of you and not just Gene (Sorry Gene! We all know how you love to be the center of attention but we all still love you for it) since it takes all of you to make the show what it truly is. I love the fact the Gene, you aren't just a rocker but quite the business man.
I also come from a family of four which includes two teenager girls. They are 15 (Sweet sixteen in Oct. Starting to plan for that one) and 14. They love the show as much as their parents do. I got them all hooked. They love Nick and think that Sophie is beautiful. We all love how your family laughs at you. They "get you" and think your a "hoot". Which on our end is fun to watch.
Thanks for coming into our house and entertaining us on a weekly basis.
Two Generations of Fans,
The Mounts
Dear Gene,
I just got married for the first time at age 41 almost two weeks ago and just came back from the Honeymoon. I feel marriage is a sacrament that goes along with a lifestyle that is willed by God.
RESPECTFULLY, IT MAY BE A LIFESTYLE THAT IS WILLED BY YOU. I'M NOT SURE GOD IS GOING TO PULL THE PUPPET STRINGS AND MAKE SURE THINGS GO HIS WAY. HE MAY HAVE BIGGER THINGS TO CONSIDER...LIKE ETERNITY. MAYBE ALL THE RAP STARS AND FOOTBALL STARS WHO THANK GOD FOR ALLOWING THEM TO WIN, MAY BE MISSING THE POINT THAT THE OTHER TEAM ALSO WANTED GOD TO MAKE THEM WIN.
MAYBE ALL OF THIS IS UP TO YOU.
Many people get divorced because they are not allowing God into their lives or do not have a strong enough Belief System.
OR, MAYBE NOT. MAYBE WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IN GOD (any version of God) OR NOT, MAYBE IT'S UP TO YOU TO MAKE SOMETHING WORK. AND IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO TAKE HARD WORK...AND MOST OFTEN (statistics tell us), WHETHER YOU'RE A BELIEVER IN GOD OR NOT, MARRIAGE IS HARD AND YOU'RE IN THE MINORITY IF IT WORKS OUT. I WISH IT WERE DIFFERENT. IT'S NOT.
With that said, the first negative aspect about Marriage I have already experienced is the planning of the wedding itself.
I feel that it created a negative force with the now in-laws due to money, emotions, ego, fear, stress, etc..
I saw how my wifes' parents treat her first-hand when it comes to stress-ful situations. Of course, now I am the enemy because I oppose a threat in the way they are accustomed to handling issues.
Everything DOES change after Marriage. If I were to have a second chance, I would alope and have a small private wedding in peace away from vampire in-laws.
Nevertheless, our Faith in God will pull us through the negative aspects of marriage and in the longrun, it will make us stronger.
I HOPE YOU'RE RIGHT. MAYBE FAITH IN EACH OTHER MIGHT HELP. BUT, WHO AM I TO COMMENT?
I understand I put myself in a very small percentage of people. Marriage gets a bad rap not because of the two people themselves, but because everyone and everything else around them.
The trick is to not let it affect you. So far, only God has been able to give me that strength.
TERRIFIC. HE'S ALSO ALLOWED YOUR "vampire in laws" TO TORTURE YOU. SO, IT ALL EVENS OUT...IF YOU BELIEVE ALL OF THIS IS GOD'S WILL.
Joe
Hi Gene,
For years my daughter (now early 20s) has told me how I say and do dumb things that embarrass her, and that no other father in the world gives the kind of homespun, corny advice I give.
Thank God I can have her watch GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS and see now that I am not the ONLY Dad who makes his kid feel uncomfortable with his antics and advice. You are doing an invaluable service for Dads everywhere! And congratulations on having such a wonderful family.
Best wishes,
David Weaver
