I met Terry once, it was July 1967. the Association were touring and had a stop in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was on a 1st date with the woman who would become my 1st wife. After a break from one of their sets Terry walked by me and my date, he stopped and talked with us. I was stunned that a rock star would stop and take the time with one of their fans. I was hooked for life. His song "Cherish" was the love song for me and my high school sweetheart before we broke up. In September 2023 my wife and I were watching "Sunday Morning" program on CBS when in their segment Passage: In Memoriam they played "Cherish" I didn't realize it was for Terry. I'm not ashamed to say, I broke down and cried. My wife asked me "what's wrong" and I explained to her my connection to Terry. Rest in peace my brother. 

As a teenager growing up in London, England, every year on December 12 (Terry's birthday) I would retire to my bedroom early in the evening and play every song Terry had written and recorded with the Association, in addition to others he sang lead on. This would tale the best part of two or three magic hours to fully enjoy them all. I had a very specific order for my playlist and always ended the evening with - you guessed it - Cherish. Never forget you or your influence, Terry.

An odd one - I was a dedicated long-distance fan of the Association from the first time I heard Along Comes Mary, and a great admirer of Terry in particular. Though much to my regret I never saw the group nor met Terry in person, he and I shared an enjoyable email friendship for more than 20 years, right up to a few weeks before he died. My story is that shortly before he left us I met someone with whom I fell head over heels in love with - yes, it is possible even at the very advanced age of 70! We spent only a few minutes together on our first meeting but spoke of Terry and the group with a shared passion. I wanted to stay in touch but did not have contact details so imagined that would be that and I would never see him again only to be flabbergasted when I received an email from him just two days after Terry's death.  He had read the sad news, had instantly thought of me and got in touch. We continued a burgeoning long-distance relationship which ended tragically this year when my dearly beloved friend lost his brave battle with cancer. However, for those deliriously happy few months I felt like 17 again and firmly believe it was due entirely to Terry's influence from beyond  the grave - reaching out and helping me like he did to so many others during his life.

I do have something to share about Terry. I was a member of the choir he directed for some years. He heard my voice, thought I was in the industry. When he found out I wasn't,  he said I have to get in, that I had an amazing voice. We brainstormed after the choir rehearsals over coffee. Finally, he thought the best way was just to start taking voice lessons again and see how things unfold. I did. And before long, not long at all, I was introduced the the head of the Vocal Department at the Musicians Institute and I became the Head of Vocal Technique for that department. I wrote the curriculum, taught hundreds of students from all over the world, authored 3 books on Vocal Technique published by Hal Leonard Corp. My first book went to second printing in the second week, a first for Hal Leonard Corp. They were over the moon with it. I made $7K a year at a 1% Royalty for a few years. Came out in 2002. Up until the pandemic, I was still making $1200 a year on that book alone. VP told me it's a classic. I worked at MI for 12 years before I left to work part time at home and online. Had it not been for Terry, I never would have become a voice teacher or have the career I love waking up to every single day. He will forever live in my heart. He changed the entire course of my life. Totally and completely. 

Perhaps the most important person in my life as I look back now. Yes, he was part of my sobriety, but sobriety is an ends to a means. Terry gave me comfort in finding the purpose of my life and the encouragement to fulfill it thereafter. Yeah, you can't do much without sobriety when you are shackled by the chains of addiction but once you shed those chains you realize that the purpose of life is a life of purpose. He taught me that. And, many others as I have been able to witness. He is now indelibly linked into my world view and my self view. If it were just me that he did that for it would be (in my hmo) a legacy but he did it for so many as does his amazing wife. So much love and gratitude to Terry but the Kirkman legacy is still in go mode with Heidi continuing to love and bless the world with the collective force that she and Terry manifested.

I was living (?) in New Orleans,widowed by suicide, never sober, barely existing. By phone from L.A., as the director of the Musicians' Assistance Program, Terry's words and spirit somehow cut through the alcoholic haze and touched a spot of surrender. I gave up and got on a plane, intending to be back in New Orleans after 30 days. While at Pasadena Recovery Center, we were shuttled out to meetings led by Terry at the Musicians' Union. I must have looked hopeless, because Terry took me under his wing (he loved those birds!) and pretty much adopted me. Introduced me to his lovely wife Heidi who also became family to me. It was 3 years before I even went back to visit New Orleans, thanks to T talking me into staying and moving into Friendly House. I would never have made it without him. 

He and Heidi and I would attend museums together, I helped them move, they fed me (brought me ribs when I was laid up with an injury) and loved me and brought me back to life.  

He always encouraged my art and creativity. 

I was honoured to be invited into a writer's group at their house after a member had left. Those were the best, most nourishing times. Met some Wonderful people, got to partake and listen to some of the most creative and brilliant written work! 

I moved back to Chicago in 2013, but still got to visit when I would come back to CA, always warmly welcomed by Terry and Heidi and the kitties.

I am so blessed and grateful to have had Terry in my life- he will forever be in my heart ❤️ I hope I didn't let you down...

I love you Heidi, sending big hugs and wishes for peace in your heart🙏❣️

The first time I saw Terry would have been the first of, I don't know - 30? - Association concerts I went to. I was 12. He was so tall and had that big, beautiful voice!  I was hooked on him, the band and their music and that began what eventually became his mentorship of me as a writer and a thinking human being.  It was one of the most delightful joys of my like that we reconnected and he attended my 60th birthday party, where he introduced me to you Heidi.  The few times we were together after that are forever in my heart....it was a JOY to see firsthand the absolute love and respect you had for one another, and how you lit up his life.  

    Terry and the Musicians Assistance Program helped me get sober in 2001 by sending me to the Pasadena Recovery Center. Had it not been for the opportunity to spend 30 days in rehab away from everything back in Austin, I may not have gotten sober. Today, I am reflecting on my time at PRC because I am back in Pasadena for the first time since 2001. I just completed my graduate degree and have a Masters in Nursing, and I am here to take a review course for my Nurse Practitioner Board Exam. 

    Seeing the mountains here in Pasadena brought all the memories rushing back. It's pretty surreal and it's a full-circle moment that I didn't even consider when I left Austin. I am so very grateful that Terry gave me the opportunity to get sober here in Pasadena. I was saddened to find out about his passing when I looked him up. My life would likely be very different without his guidance and the Musicians Assistance Program, so thank you Terry for everything you have done for the recovery community. 

Terry was a great, bright light in this world. His music chased sadness from my heart when I'd hear it on the radio riding in the car with my mother as a child, and his sober wisdom chased hope into my life when I'd listen to him in meetings and over fellowship as an adult. He had a profound effect on my life for many more years than I knew him, and I know that will continue. I'm a lucky soul to have known him. My heart goes out to you, Heidi. sending much love. 

Terry was always a great friend but he rescued me from a situation that without him, I don't know what I would've done.  We spent a couple of days wandering around Boston, eating our way through Fanueil Hall Marketplace, going to movies and restaurants and he left me feeling like I could go on with my life.   A truly lovely man who I will miss.

Terry took me under his wing when I arrived from New Orleans, lost and broken, and became like a father to me.  He brought me into his home he and his lovely wife Heidi became family to me. His words, love, kindness, enthusiasm for life and people is with me everyday ❤️Love you, T

He came into my life as a friend. He became my spiritual father/brother. He loved pelicans,crows,the sky, cats&dogs, beauty. He loved me & I loved him. And especially he loved his Heidi. I miss you Terrybob. I miss you terribly. 

I’m so sorry for your loss. There are no right words, actually, but I’m keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. May every passing day heal. ❤️‍🩹🙏🏼

“Right here (clap), right now (clap)!” His teachings are woven into my practice forever. A giant of a man in every way.  

Terry made everyone feel important and needed.  His big spirit will live on in so many of us.