Stray Cats And The Teenage Couple Who Fell In Love At A Show And Still Send Them Christmas Cards

April 3, 2025

On a chilly December night in 1978, the small, crowded venue known as The Bitter End in New York City buzzed with excitement. The air was thick with anticipation as fans eagerly awaited the performance of the Stray Cats, a rising rockabilly band. Among the audience were Jamie and Alex, two teenagers who had met just a few weeks before. They had bonded over their shared love for music, and that night, as they squeezed their way to the front of the stage, they felt a spark neither of them had expected.

As the first notes of “Stray Cat Strut” burst forth from the band, Jamie and Alex were swept away by the energy in the room. The magnetic presence of lead singer Brian Setzer made it impossible to look away. With his slicked-back hair and vintage guitar, he seemed to embody the very essence of rock and roll. As Jamie sang along, she could feel the electric connection between her and Alex grow stronger, the music weaving their hearts together like a beautifully spun melody. By the time the show ended, they knew they had shared something special; it was the beginning of their love story.

In the months that followed, the Stray Cats exploded onto the music scene, and Jamie and Alex found comfort in the rhythms and lyrics that had once ignited their passion for each other. They attended every local show they could, their love blossoming like the wildflowers that peeked through the snow in spring. They laughed, danced, and shared dreams of the future, all while sending Christmas cards to the band, thanking them for the music that brought them together. They hoped the cards would somehow reach the band, but in their hearts, it didn’t matter. The music was theirs.

A year later, after one of their shows, something magical happened. Rumors spread through the crowd that the Stray Cats might be reading fan mail. In a burst of courage, Alex suggested they give their Christmas cards to the band’s manager. Jamie hesitated, but the thought of their heartfelt messages reaching Brian Setzer ignited her courage. Hand in hand, they approached the stage. As they passed the cards over, the manager smiled knowingly; he had seen many love stories bloom like this, inspired by rock and roll.

Little did Jamie and Alex know that the Stray Cats loved hearing from their fans. A few weeks later, they received a handwritten note from Brian himself. It expressed gratitude for their support and shared how music was a lifeline during tough times. The note mentioned how the band valued the connections they had with fans, which made them feel even more alive on stage. The realization that they had touched the life of the artist who brought them together filled Jamie and Alex with a warmth that winter couldn’t chill.

Years passed, and though Jamie and Alex eventually went their separate ways, they never stopped sending Christmas cards to the Stray Cats. Each year brought new memories, and the cards became a tradition. They tied their hearts together, a thread of music and love that had started with a single show. It reminded them of the power of art to connect, inspire, and heal. And every time they looked back on that night, they would smile, knowing that sometimes, in the chaos of life, all it takes is a little music to find harmony in the world.