News-October 2009

The Soldiers Story -Northern Ireland

I am pleased to announce that the documentary film that I was invited to take part in this year, The soldiers Story-Northern Ireland, will be shown on Monday the 26th of October at 9pm - 11pm. It will be on Sky, The History Channel.

Recording Session

I shall be travelling down to the lovely village of Bredon in Gloucestershire on the 12th of this month, for a two day recording session at David's FFG studio. All being well I shall be laying the templates down for eight new songs. There's really no need for me to tell you all just how much I am looking forward to that, is there?

Afghanistan

I hope you will all join me in wishing my daughter Sarah God speed, and a safe journey, as she embarks on her first tour of duty in Afghanistan as a young, recently commissioned, officer in the REME.

And finally, and I guess I'm showing my age here, but, don't those recently remastered Beatle CD's sound superb? It's like revisiting them all over again! Not a large news item this time, but nice to finish it on a high note!

News-August 2009

Since my return from Texas, things have been fairly quiet on the musical front. Not, however, that quiet so that things have dried up and died! Far from it in fact, for I am working on some new songs and may well find myself heading for David's FFG studio in Bredon later on this year. At the moment I have no radio gigs lined up, but I have had my first TV interview. And that has been brought about, I believe, by my connection to Ken's two published books on the British Soldier's viewpoint of the Northern Ireland experience.

Povprod are an independant TV production company based in Plymouth, a pure coincidence of course! But that is also the home base of my former Military unit, 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery. I was interviewed by them at my home for four hours on June the 9th, although when their film is completed, I'm quite sure that my part will only be a small one! The film in question has been commissioned for Sky, The History Channel, and is to be aired sometime this Autumn. As details emerge I shall post them on this website. But they did film me performing one of my new 'Northern Ireland' related songs that didn't make it onto my 'The Ulster Songbook' charity CD. I found the whole experience most worthwhile and highly rewarding, despite the awakening of old ghosts from a highly intense period of my life that might, perhaps, had been better left undisturbed! But one cannot deny ones past, and I certainly do not intend to deny mine!

And for those of you that follow these things, my album 'Red Sky Descending' has not made the Mercury prize short list. Not that I ever thought that it would. But I did see the whole exercise as a PR opportunity that was not to be missed. And besides, I at least managed to get a distribution deal with Code 7 through this little idea of mine, and that was most definitely worth doing!

And that is all for now from myself, except for one more thing! All of you out there hoping for the release of the new Stonefield Tramp album 'Full Circle.' At this moment in time I have no idea if, or when, this event may occur! June was nice, July was awful. Better not put those umbrellas away just yet!

And there is a new on/off member of the household. She is rather adorable, or she is when she isn't sinking her teeth into me! And her name is Poppy.

News-April 2009

March was a most interesting month for me on several fronts, so, without more ado I shall enlighten you all.

Texas

Those of you familiar with my website will have by now discovered my lifelong passion for the story of the Alamo. For the last four years I have belonged to a rather exclusive group of people, from all walks of life, who belong to The Alamo Society. Every year they hold a Symposium, mostly in San Antonio, but not always! This year I made the effort to attend, for the subject of this year's Symposium was to be on the music of the Alamo and a book launch on the same subject. The book was written by Bill Chemerka and Allen Wiener. It is a very interesting book and I was so pleased to see that three of my CD's got a mention and my Alamo song CD's front cover got a full page colour spread. Those two gentlemen have done me proud, even giving me, and my song, a mention from the podium in the opening address about their book launch. Now that I did not expect! Thanks Allen and Bill, it was a real pleasure to be able to meet you guys, and I certainly hope to return again to Texas sometime in the future.

Riverwalk, San Antonio

There is, on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, a rather delightful English themed pub run by a guy called Terry Corless (originally from Cambridge) named 'The Mad Dog.' After I had informed him that his pub, and one of his waitress's, were mentioned in one of my recorded songs (In Texas, from The Anthology-Part Two CD) the ice was well and truly broken. He was most beneficial in giving me a good contact for my Alamo products. Prior to us leaving (Myself, Rob and Dave) he arranged for a photo shoot with some of his lovely girls. A most unexpected delight and surprise, the act of which brought the entire pub to an astonished halt! Thanks Terry, we all had a great time at your establishment and certainly do intend to come back for more! And yes! We do love those lovely girls of yours!

Brackettville

This is the home of The Alamo Village and the original movie set for John Wayne's 1960 film 'The Alamo.' It is a permanent film lot and is constantly in use for films, both wide screen and T.V. When we arrived it was almost deserted and so had the place to ourselves. Which just suited me down to the ground, and I was just like a little kid, running all over the place with my camera! I am also pleased to say that they will be stocking my Alamo CD in their shop. Most appropriate, as the artwork for the CD was based on their film set Alamo church, rather than the Shrine itself in San Antonio.

Phil Collins

I must say, it was both a pleasure, and a privilege, to have been able to meet Phil Collins. First at Joan's Alamo themed party, and then on the following day at the Symposium. He is a fellow lifelong Alamo buff, and when introduced told me that he had heard of me! A statement that did take me by surprise, although I suspect it was through Bill and Allen's book, and my Alamo song where he would have first heard of me. My first impression was of a very nice, down to earth type of person.

Mercury Prize

And last of all, but by no means least! I am very happy to inform you all that due to my having got a recent distribution deal for my CD 'Red Sky Descending' with Zone 7 this album is now one of this years Mercury Prize Nominees! So please! Fingers crossed everybody!

Ken Wharton's second Northern Ireland Book

Ken's second book is due for publication this month and, once again, I have been privileged to have some of my writing in it. Please keep your eye on this website for further details. It's been a tough winter, but have no fear, for Spring is upon us and Summer cannot be far behind. It's been a while now, so lets all hope for a good one this year! And on that positive thought I will say farewell for now.

News-January 2009

The good ship 'Britannia' seems to be charting choppy seas these days! So let me start off the year by wishing you all well, credit crunch and recession notwithstanding! Hanging on to an income may well be the best that we can all hope for. And speaking of hanging, the notion of introducing a few stout yards of good old English hemp to our witless politicians seems a very tempting prospect! But enough of this wishful thinking, let's talk of songs instead.

Red Sky Descending

My new album, Red Sky Descending, was released just prior to Christmas and is now featured on this website, Expertly engineered and produced by David Pick at his FFG studio in Bredon, and once again I was privileged to be joined on four of the tracks by Phil Beer from Show of Hands. Others taking part were Pete and Brian from Stonefield Tramp, a special guest spot by Kevin Brown from Bath, and not forgetting Maurice Hipkiss and newcomers Jimmy Flanders and Lexie Stobie. My warmest thanks to you all for your contributions to this project.

Stonefield Tramp

I have recently been informed by Rob, over there in Texas, that the new Stonefield Tramp album 'Full Circle' is being released as a download. A link to the relevant website will appear soon in a banner on my home page.

Sandhurst

And finally, let us all congratulate my daughter Sarah, on her recent achievement in obtaining a commission in her chosen Military career.