“Looking Back While Looking Forward”
This is the first anniversary of my column with Il Volo Flight Crew. Through all the chaos, it’s been a wonderful year for me for many reasons! First and foremost, I had the great opportunity to write about three amazing young men and I got to meet you, the fans, and I had the opportunity to get acquainted with many of you!
Last year at this time, we were thinking this will be over in a few weeks! We know how that turned out! But it seems our greatest concern at the time, was for Italy. Many of you were writing on Facebook how concerned you were for the guys. My column was a direct result of your concerns.
I started by telling you the guys were at home and safe! And, thanks to the generosity of the guys, we were able to follow them on Facebook and Instagram almost daily! My suggestion was we should think about more positive things. So, the column began with us concentrating on where it all began and all the wonderful events in the lives of these young men and even sharing some recipes and interesting facts about the regions they live in.
On this first anniversary I have been invited to start a new column called, Through the Fields of My Mind. In this column, I will be a looking back on some of the memorable moments in the lives of our guys! I will write stories about some of the events that are now forgotten. We will look back while looking forward. I believe or I should say I hope, we are coming to the end of all the sadness in the world and, we are all looking forward to the concerts resuming!
While searching through old videos and newspaper articles I’ve come across some really beautiful pictures and stories that I know you will enjoy as much as I have enjoyed seeing and reading them. I look at the old pictures and I say is it possible that 12 years ago this all began with three teenagers who stole the hearts of the American people.
It seems like yesterday they walked out on that stage at the Detroit Opera House for their first PBS special and sang their way into our hearts. I remember as each one began to sing it took my breath away. All I could think was “If they’re this good now, what will they be like in 10 years?” You know the answer! “Even more amazing!”
The nice thing about all this is we got the opportunity to watch them grow into fine young men. We listened as they grew into their, absolutely, amazing voices. We took them into our hearts and our families. Many of you think of them as your sons and grandsons and refer to them as such even though you have never met them. Many fans have written to me to tell me how the guys helped them through some of the worst moments in their lives. The loss of a spouse or a child! Some said they helped them recover from major surgeries. And some even said, through their music, they helped them through long hospital stays. It was the best therapy anyone could receive. It’s no wonder they feel like they are a part of their families. In some cases, they are the only family that these people have and, our guys don’t even know how much their music has helped these people, especially, over the last year when many of the fans were home alone! But they certainly know how much they are loved by their fans!
I also invite you to share stories with me. Sometimes when I write an article, fans write to me and say, I was at that concert! If you have anything to contribute, I would be happy to read it. I can’t promise I can include everything because my space is limited but I would be happy to hear what you have to say! I have set up a special email for this column. You’re welcome to write to me at: susan.flightcrew@yahoo.com
Let me say one thing that will not be included in my column and which I will not answer questions about in emails. That is anything to do with their love lives. That includes, your opinion of their love lives. First off, I am not privy to any of this information and, if I was, I wouldn’t share it with you anyway. Their love lives are private, as they should be. So, for this one time only I will answer three questions:
Do they have love interests? They certainly do!
Are they flirtatious? All the time!
Do they love their women? Each and every one of them!
And that’s all you need to know and that is my final word on their love lives! If they want you to know anything about their lives, they will certainly share it with you. Actually, they have been very generous with their private lives. They post pictures of their families and events that they attend alone and with their families. They try as much as possible to keep you in the loop! This is something other entertainers don’t do for their fans.
I, along with my colleagues at Flight Crew, will try to keep you updated on all that is going on in Il Volo land. For now, we await the new album and look forward to the June 5th concert, at St. Peter’s Square, honoring the memory of Ennio Morricone.
See you all next week when we start our journey down memory lane passing Through the Fields of My Mind….
Credit to owners of all photos and video.
Can’t wait live reading your columns
Susan
This was a very uplifting article something that was very needed in our lives thank you for your thoughtfulness we love you
Thank you Jenny!
Thank you
Thank you Susan, I look forward to your upcoming posts about the most stunning and creative three young men in the music arena today. I have watched them since their initial performance on the Italian talent show and oh boy have they progressed ! Hopefully many more years to come.
Many, many more years!
Great initiative, Susan, thank you very much. About the guys’ love life, of course we are curious, but I completely agree with your position. Everyone, even an international singing star, is entitled to his/her privacy. Respecting this is another way of showing our love for them.
Any we certainly love them!
Thanks Susan! The journeys we have walked with the guys have brightened our lives and helped their dreams come true! I can’t wait for your next article. Someday you must help them write their next book! ❤️
Thank you, Judy! I would love to write the next book!
Perfetto, Susan!
Thank you, Jana!
Thank you so much Susan. I am so excited to read your new articles about three of the most gorgeous and amazingly talented young men. All of your posts are so interesting and informative. Next week won’t come soon enough.❤️
Susan. That was a great story really enjoyed reading it looking forward to your weekly articles it made me feel happy
Jenny
Thank you Jenny!
You are so sweet Barbara! And so faithful to my column! Thank you!
Thank you so much for your past columns and for the future ones as well. They are truly amazing young men. Ignazio’s weight loss inspired me to continue losing weight (a life-long battle), and I have managed to lose 120 lbs. over the last several years. At a time when I wanted to give up, I had seen Ignazio and though to myself, “wow, he did it, and I can do it.” Gianluca and Piero inspire me with their hard work, good humor, and humble attitude.
I do see them as “adopted” grandsons, and I like to treat them that way. I am always praying for them, and praying that they never lose their passion for music, finding love, and begin anew the concert tours.
God gave them the talent and I am so glad to see them use it wisely.
Congratulations on your great success!
Merci Susan ,encore une fois je me suis régalée a te lire et il me tarde de découvrir la suite
Thank you Paule for following my column!
Susan,
Thank you so much for doing this. I’m going to be looking forward to each time you go Through the Fields of Your Mind.
Thank you Jeanette!
Merci beaucoup pour tout ce travail pour nous tenir informés sur nos 3 merveilleux garçons à la voix d’ange
Thank you for following my column!
Susan, Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary. I have benefited so much from your writings. I look forward to your new series. I am one of those who listen to Il Volo’s beautiful voices singing wonderful words and melodies every day. I also get a lot of enjoyment from sharing with Il Volo fans. I feel it is very important for entertainers to keep in touch with their fan base and this year has made it even more important for the fans and Il Volo. Fans will wane over time if they are not communicated with. That’s just the way it is. So, it was very smart for Il Volo to touch base with us, even if it invaded their privacy a little bit. Just a photo, or a sentence is so important. Thank you for writing these pieces.
Thank you for your beautiful comment Kay!
Dear Susan! I was so happy with your new column. The information about our boys makes me live life to the fullest. At the beginning of the pandemic, there was silence for Piero, Ignacio o Gianluca. That made me unhappy! Now, I check my mail every day, even though I know there aren’t that many letters from you and Daniela. I will be very happy to learn more about their struggles and achievements. I believe that everyone’s privacy is Inviolable! and it is absolutely right to be waiting for good news! Happy first anniversary !! Antonella from Bulgaria.
What a terrific idea, Susan! Although, like you, I became a fan with the first PBS concert, I’m fairly new to the Flight Crew. So I’ll really be looking forward to this column. I happened to be in Italy the summer of 2011 and asked our guide about them. She had their first CD and played it for us on the bus!
They are wonderful!
Thank you!
Susan so glad you are going to continue with your column love it and read it all the time even if I do not respond 🙏🙏❤️❤️ Congrats
Thank you Maria!
Thank you for everything you do, it is greatly appreciated and am so happy that I become a member of this group. Again thank you thank you thank you. Stay well and safe 💝
You Welcome!
Really looking forward to your new column. You always have just the right words to say about our guys. Hopefully they will get to tour again soon. Maybe next year for us.
We all hope they will be back soon!
I have been a fan since day one and am looking for the memories from the past. So much has happened. You are a great story teller.
Thank you Regina!
Susan, I was so happy to read your column today and to learn we can look forward to your new “The Fields of My Mind ” weekly column. The Flight Crew Team does such a great job of keeping our members up-to-date on the happenings of our guys. I am so appreciative of the news, the translations and details provided by Daniela and Pat’s assistance with getting them posted so quickly Your columns during this past year have been very informative and enjoyable. By the way, I totally agree that our guys are entitled to their privacy especially when it comes to their love lives. As you mentioned, they are very generous in sharing personal details with us.
I will be anxiously awaiting hearing from you next week, and of course, for the June 5th concert and the new album. Ignazio, Gianluca, and Piero are simply the best, better than all the rest.! Thank you again.
Congratulations on your 1st year anniversary.
Thank you Mary Jane!
Susan you put our feelings into beautiful words. I have been here almost from the beginning when the blog started, mostly as an observer. Some people are gone now but I will hold on as long as I can. Daniela and I each translated 1/2 of the boys book. I have only given a copy to a couple of people because I did it mostly for my own pleasure. I belong to quite a few groups but this is the best place to find news, videos and photos of the guys thanks to Daniela.and Pat. I am tired of FB because of the emojis but no thoughts. You have now put the icing on the cake on this blog. Thanks. I’m looking forward to more walking through the fields of your mind. Our guys are the best of the best.
Thank you Rose Marie! And I enjoy reading all your comments!
Exciting, can’t wait. Thank you.
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts above. I am a forever follower whose heart has been mended by these beautiful voices. I look forward to reading your posts. Thank you, again.
Thank you Eleanor!
Thank you Susan for all you, Pat and Daniela do for all of us Flight Crew members. This sounds like a great idea and I am looking forward to reading stories of past events in the lives of Il Volo which we may have missed, forgotten or wish to revisit. Just the other day I again watched Il Volo’s first PBS concert from Detroit and I am still completely amazed at the extraordinary talent of these three young boys!
Thank you Margaret!
I am a long time fan. I did watch their Detroit show and was amazed at their poise and talent. Thank you for this weekly article. Dena Pitchfork, Mercer Island, Washington U.S.A.
Thank you for following the column!
Congratulations on your Anniversary I have read all your articles and am looking forward to your weekly ones. I first saw the boys on PBS and so thankful that I did and started following them and they have brought me so much happiness Listen to them every day and watch old concerts on my tv I did get to see them in concert in Florida and went to M&G last February They are the very best and all have such wonderful personalities Keep writing and I will keep reading and enjoy ThankYou
Thank you for reading my stories!
Hi Susan. I love the way you write and have always enjoyed your articles. I am so happy that you will be writing more for the fans . Congratulations and looking forward to your future posts.
Thank you Susan for keeping us informed in an always enthausiastic way. I am looking forward to the next upcoming e-mails, in which you are going to write about the most memorable moments of the past.