We've gotten some interesting emails over the years as well - we are always happy to hear NMTH stories from ya'll, so we thought we'd share just a few of them.

We've had the good fortune over the years to get some air play on radio stations. Here's a note (email) from a DJ who used to play our stuff on her radio show back in the day. Just goes to show what an amazing thing the Internet has become...

Subject Line: Running In My Sleep

"Aimsel here in FREEZING COLD Portland, Maine ( its somehow 49 on the 16th of June)
Anyway, I am sitting here in a state of being, besides cold, quite blown away.
When I was a DJ at WKNH ( Keene State College radio) a hundred years ago I remember your Bluest Sky record, especially the song "Running in my Sleep" of which I copied from the record onto a long since lost mixed tape. 
Since then I've been on a quest to find the record, or at least that song. It’s funny how easy it is to forget about the wonders of the on-line world because I got hip to your music before the advent of the internet and it didn't dawn on me until TODAY that you may have a website. 
Needless to say, I fell outta my chair when I realized that not only do you have a website, but that song, one of my absolute FAVORITES was available for download. And so, moments ago I did just that and listened to it three times in a row. My body is still cold but my heart is now warmed. It's been easily ten years since I've heard the song and it stillhas a profound effect on me. The same effect it had when I first heard it when WKNH got a copy of the record back in, when was it '90, '91? something like that.  So anyway, THANKS for the song and for making it available. I feel like this is a MAJOR thing I can cross off my life list of things to find! Songs, to me, are life's bookmarks and that song is a HUGE one for me.

cheers,  Aimsel"

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Another note from someone who tracked us down on the web... Thanks for the tip on Iron and Wine, Pamela. We'll check them out.

Subject Line: I've missed the Bluest Sky

"My name is Pamela and I first heard your music when I was all of twelve years old.
My brother was in college at the time and he got a dubbed copy of The Bluest Sky
from his roommate. For some inexplicable reason (perhaps a temporary lapse in sanity or some planetary misalignment, i don't know) he gave up the dubbed copy! But all was well in the world because he gave it up to me. For the next several years I dealt with some very weighty issues, but listening to your music helped me through. I played that dubbed tape so much that it finally began dying, and then I played it still, warbling sound and all, because I couldn't bear to part with songs like Shake Off the Cold and Bigger.

You two have such talent and unmistakable voices. Ever since finally laying that dubbed tape to rest I have been haunted by the harmonies and acoustic guitars of your songs. I was overjoyed when I located your website. However, the school I am at has an incredibly beefed up firewall that does not permit downloads. So, alas, I am still hibachiless.
However, I am overjoyed to read that you will be rereleasing Bluest Sky. Please keep me posted on when it will be available. Additionally, I think you should come up to the Lancaster, PA area and perform at one of the venues around here. I would love to hear you perform live. I anxiously await news of your new album and earnestly hope that you continue to write such music so that it may touch the lives of more people.
If I may be so bold as to suggest an artist to look into, Iron & Wine is also an acoustic act that I think may be worth checking out.
Thank you, again, for your music and your willingness to share it with others.
Take care and God bless.
~Pamela"

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This note is from a fan who lost his only copy of the Bluest Sky in the most interesting of ways. His diligence in tracking us down and telling us this story earned him the right to a replacement copy. Read what Sam from Texas wrote:

"As to how I lost the cd in Alaska. During the early 90's I made a living as
a commercial fishman in AK. In 1995 our boat took on water and sank.  Along
with the boat went all the cd's (and all my other possessions) that i had
carried around the world, including The Bluest Sky. I actually played your
music to friends of mine when i was traveling the world. I bet you have
been heard by people in countries you never imagined that nikki meets the
hibachi would ever get to. I can tell you that you were heard in all of
western europe, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Pakistan.
You truly never know the consequences of your actions, nor how far reaching
they may be, your music has reached a far vaster audience than you ever
thought possible.
As to how I came by your cd in Santa Cruz, I bought it in early 1992 at the
independent record shop on Pacific Avenue. I just can't remember the name
of it right now. But they had it and when a friend of mine also wanted the
cd, we went back and they said they could order it. So people were getting
the music in Santa Cruz.
Your cd always reminded me of love, fidelity and beauty. I am excited by the
prospect of getting a copy of your cd. Thank you for your kindness, if you need
any help from the plains of Texas. let meknow. -- Sam"

Sam wanted to give a copy of the Bluest Sky to his wife for their first anniversary. We sent him one and this was his reply:

"We got the cd on Saturday. My wife absolutely loves the music.  It is just
as wonderful as I remembered it to be. I am amazed that more people did not
hear this music. Everything about it is beautiful. Thank you again for
your effort in getting this to us. You really have something to be proud of
in "Bluest Sky". May all of your future efforts be so blessed.  We were
wondering if you are working on any other musical projects? If you are
please keep me in mind. I am always looking for good music. -- Sam"

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This email came from a gentleman in New Jersey... Again this note earned
him a replacement copy (even though his first one was a bootleg tape)...
Apology accepted, Steve

"I'm not sure if you are the same Elaine Tola that was half of Nikki Meets
the Hibachi, so if you are not, please excuse this email message. If you
are, then great! The Bluest Sky is my favorite disk ever, and unfortunately
I don't have it! I taped a copy (sorry) from my brother who lived in Durham
at the time, and that tape got eaten about a month ago.

Anyway, I now have a baby boy and I want to play these songs for him, and I
can't seem to find a copy of the disk for sale. I've looked all over the
web, and the only place that lists it is tunes.com and it's listed as
"unavailable". Can you help? --Steve"

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Jamie in New York sent us an email with this subject line: "Searchin' this
land for that damn dog..."

"Although email may not really be considered a private domain, I will first apologize
for any intrusion this note may carry with it...
My journey has lead me here, a quest for a copy of the Bluest of all music recordings, and with you I may find some recourse. There was a summer, some years ago, whose days were not appreciated until adulthood set in that I am longing to revisit.  The memories are only blurs and whispers of experience, but it had a timeless soundtrack.  It was a summer of first loves, adolescent merriment, and rebellion, and The Bluest Sky played in the background of it all. Is there any hope that I might find the method to return to those warm, summer days and nights? I appeal to you for any response.
Thank you, Jamie"
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When we sent the message out that we had put up a web page, many of our good and long-time friends came to the site to check it out. We also had some folks randomly stumble upon our site. This is proof that if you write to us, we'll not only read your email, we're likely to put your words up on this page... 

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Subject line: How Wonderful
"Thanks for sending us the web address. We have thoroughly explored the new
Nikki website. 
The stories in the "shameless self promotion" are splendid....
So, here in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, amidst the sounds of
froggies and nightjars and buzzy bugs, we are now listening to our treasured
copy of the Bluest Sky....
Thanks!
Tracey and Laura"

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This note is from Bryan in Richmond, VA

Subject line: Longtime fan
(And to answer your question Bryan, track #3 is called "Running in My Sleep")

"For the last several months I have been on a mission to locate the
music of my high school and college years......I must be getting nostalgic -
well I did just turn 30 years old...but anyway over the college years - I lost
most of my old tapes (Guadacanal Diary, Judy Bats, Firetown, Rock N Hyde,
and a tape my sister's friend gave me in 1990 of Nikki Meets the Hibachi. I
don't know which amalgamation it was - but I loved it. I am a songwriter
myself - and was immediately drawn to the overall sound.
I remember specifically driving in Ashland, VA with my best friend
(huge Indigo Girls fan) to a Chick-Fil-A - probably was '94 - blasting your tape
on my superquality factory stereo (1979 Olds Cutlass) - and my buddy just
loved track #3....I have no idea which song it is - but it has great
harmonies.
Anyway - like I said I have been tracking down old music and this
morning on a whim typed in www.nikkimeetsthehibachi.com - and sure enough found you guys. I was hoping to buy the CD Bluest Sky - but there was no option on the website to purchase. My buddy is getting married in a few weeks -  and would love to surprise him with this CD.
Thank you.
Sincerely, Bryan

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This email came from Paul in southern Florida. The web is an amazing place...

Subject line: The Bluest Sky = The happy Floridian
"I dont even know how to start this email off but a huge thanks to the universe
for the discovery of your website!! I will join the ranks of people whom have all
written to you saying, I used to have your album, and life hasnt been the same
since I have gone without it! I cant believe im reading your tourdates, and you're
playing in Pittsboro ( where I grew up) and I live in FL now:(
Congrats to you all for your new recording, I cant wait to get it, and of course I
will be in heaven when i can get my hands on The Bluest Sky again, I saw you
guys at skylight when i was in highschool, and I couldnt even stay for your whole show, I walked over while my parents ate dinner at the Rat.
Fast forward years later and many moves I have since lost your album
and I now live in South Florida, and I was sitting here being home sick for
Chapel hill and North Carolina in general, and thought well its been awhile let me
see if I can find anything on Nikki, and this time I came across your site, and as
I downloaded your music and heard your voices and guitars, the homesickness was
well gone. Yall are EXCELLENT!
Thank you so much for recognizing and sharing your talents and gifts with everyone, that is such a hard thing to do and so many people go a life time never having done so.
I know you have plans of another release for the bluest sky, I cant be in NC for your show dates, and while i wish i could afford to fly you all down to FL and play for all
the people whom i keep bugging about Nikki and if they have you album, but if there is anything that your fans and listeners can do to help you all out with your various projects I would love to do so. Sorry for the long letter. One last question, are any of youralbums new or old available at all right now for purchase? Ok thats it, thank you once again!

Paul"

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This note came from someone in Michigan, who has a friend who used to hear the
Bluest Sky on station WYEC...

"Hello,

Wow! I was so excited to see that you have a website.

I have done searches in the past and come up with nothing but just on a whim I tried a search again and struck gold.
I was hoping to finally get a Bluest Sky cd from you but I see that you don't seem to
have any available but mention a possibility of remastering it.

Anyway...I actually have been looking for the cd for a friend who used to hear the one song that a local radio station played in (somewhat ) regular rotation..He searched for some time and tried to special order it only to find none of the lame stores around here bothered to deal with any of your distributors. He than asked me to look around and see if I could find any one who carries it. I found plenty of What Peggy Wants but nothing else on Baited Breath/Moist. Anyway he finally went to the radio station and they were kind enough to let him copy the cd to their tape deck but this was about 7 years ago and his tape is getting ragged.
I just returned from a trip down to Virginia and was hoping to locate a disc for him down there but again came up empty handed.. The few stores who even knew what I was talking  about burst my hopes of finding the cd.( I did find a Smashing Orange-Above Ming Gardens cdep for 1.00 so it was not a complete bust :) My Deranged Heart was one of my favorite 7" records and now I have it on a cd. Yay! )
So if you do still have any copies available for sale I would love to buy one for my friend ..if not please add me to the contact list for the remaster when it is done.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

e.r."

As is evidenced above many, many people have contacted us trying to get a copy of The Bluest Sky. We have been sold out for some time now, but you all will be happy to know that we have digitally re-mastered and re-release it with our new record, Back Around.

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If you have a Nikki story you'd like to tell, send it to us via email, and if it's truely entertaining (and not X-rated), we'll put it up.