I'm case you can't remember some details concerning 2004, let me refresh your memory: 

The medium known as "social media" did not exist. The only way groups of people could interact with each other was on message board websites or the simpler email groups. If you wanted peer-to-peer assistance or to discuss a common topic, this was it. 

Dennis DeYoung had no official online presence. His "Grand Illusion Music" website was put on a self-imposed hiatus, and anything Styx-related would concern the group without Dennis as a member, since he was removed from the group less than five years earlier. Any comments were usually negative concerning Dennis, or completely ignored him and his contributions to Styx. The large Styx fan base had been split and had turned against itself with constant arguing. Sadly this aspect still continues today. 

DDY Talk was a place where members recognized Dennis' contributions and supported him. Not only for what he did as a member of Styx but for whatever the future may have in store for his career. Simply put, they cared for Dennis DeYoung the individual, not just Styx. All discussions were of a pro-Dennis nature, and possibly a little more bashing of his former bandmates than I would like to recognize now, but it was an extremely volatile time to be a fan. With this forum, people were able to express that they still cared about Dennis DeYoung. 

The website grew and expanded with a few interviews, as well as discography information and lyrics. It was redesigned several times at first, because I knew what I wanted, but not sure how to do it. After teaching myself HTML, and then later CSS and eventually basic PHP I was able to make the site better, and much more than a message board. In 2006 the website received an award for design. In 2008 work was being done for a complete redesign as the way things were presented in the Web were changing: Screens were getting bigger and smaller, with larger resolution desktops which gave away to phones and tablets. Real Player, and then QuickTime disappeared. I started learning Flash only to see that go away. The 2008 redesign was based on a color scheme from the cover of "One Hundred Years From Now" and liked really good, but unfortunately never came to be. It was a lot of time, effort, and hard work, and I had other things in my life demanding my attention. Plus, she new websites called MySpace and Facebook were just starting up, and all of the discussion that was happening in the message board moved to these new platforms. Also, by this time, Dennis once again had an active website and was touring regularly. The need for someplace like DDY Talk wained, and the site would remain dormant. I still paid the bill every year, as I just couldn't let it go and shut the site down. In 2019 I started working with she of the additions in the message board software to update the website and hopefully get it ready for when "26 East Volume 1" was to be released. A lot was done, but not completed. I still haven't added "Volume 2" into the site yet. 

So here we are 20 years later. Even though many things have changed, and that the website has been dormant for most of us existence, it still exists. For the simple reason to say "thank you" to the person that wrote lyrics and music that shaped my life, and the lives of those that came to this website to share.  The impact that Dennis DeYoung has made with the music that he had created as a member of Styx and beyond, as well as the impact on my life, will never be forgotten. 

Ron Stevens

9/7/24

Not sure if its just me but its not retaining my login credentials again... just an FYI...

Do you have to log in each time you visit?

I can't figure out what the problem is, and worried that it might be me.

BUT, I would like some suggestions or things you the users of this site would like different to make things easier/more readable/more accessible, etc.

For example, if you think a change in color would be good, what would be some suggestions? Would the ability to collapse the left-side menu so there is more screen space for content be better? Would a left-side navigation similar to Windows Explorer be good for the lyrics section to help search for songs and albums?

2008 has the potential to be a big year, so I am trying to make improvements to make it easier to find information for all current and future visitors.

Your input and suggestions is appreciated.

Ron

Some of the page URL's have also changed, but this should work without you noticing anything unusual.

Enjoy.

It was the middle of August when Mac had talked with me about taking over the Yahoo! board, and I suggested about making an entire website dedicated to all things DDY. Dealing with an over-excited Mac I got the basics up and running in two weeks. Now it's been two years since then and I am pretty happy with what the site has become. There are still a few things I wish to work on (some additional content: facts, information, etc.) and another slight redesign in the forum look (a few things that don't look right). But overall I feel this site does what I set out to create: Something dedicated to all things DDY for fans to enjoy.

So enjoy, and thanks for the support the past two years

Ron

If you are using a 800x600 screen size, however, this look may not suit you, as things may look a bit squashed. You can switch back to the previous style if you wish.

If you would like to switch back, go to your control panel (My Controls) and on the Control Panel Menu at the bottom you will find a box to select which style (skin) you would like to use. Select 'DDY Talk' for the previous style.

Holiday themes will be available during the different holiday seasons.

Any comments/complaints please let me know.

Ron

To show your Styx/Dennis interest, add this Roboto userbar to your profile on other message boards:

If you weren't aware, MySpace is the popular people-networking location on the 'net. So to try and reach more fans and keep them updated on Dennis' projects (as well as links to other information here) I have set up a profile on MySpace for DDY Talk. It's still being set up, so it's not as pretty as I would like it to be. It will match the color scheme of the rest of the site.

If you are already on MySpace, be sure to add DDY Talk as one of your friends!

Visit the DDY Talk page on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/ddytalk

For more information on MySpace visit http://www.myspace.com/

Ron

Ron