John Neff left this planet at the end of December 2022. Christie Josef and the Purpose was forever altered. Since that time Christie and Bret Malmquist preformed at Love, Oregon in 2023, and Christie also performed solo for Love, Oregon 2024. The future still uncertain but in the meantime, Christie is currently working on new material for her next album. She wrote the words to this song, “Dear John” as a tribute to her dear friend and musical collaborator.

Dear John

Dear John,
I’m trying to update our website
But it sure doesn’t sit right
Maybe I haven’t truly said goodbye
Your absence still makes me cry

chorus:

It’s been more than a year
And I’m not feeling near ready to move on
Accepting that you’re gone
I won’t fully process ‘till I write this song
But I’m having a hard time getting to it
A hard time letting you go
I’m having a hard time moving through this
But it’s time for the next show

Dear John,
I finally opened the bag of your stuff
Your kids passed on to me
A bag full of sweet memories
Like butterflies set free of a past reality

bridge:

Oh John, I miss my time with you
We got each other through and through
A connection of effortless flow
The way you always seemed to know
My music, my heart
That spark of understanding we shared from the start
Confidant and friend, on the other side we’ll meet again