May 3, 2000 - Issue #2

Feel a bit like David Letterman. VOLUMINOUS e-mail and tens of thousands of hits in the first week!

Kris Gray tells me that the dates in England are doing well and the Bowery Ballroom tickets go on sale soon (actually in the next few days they tell us) for the June 2nd date (the eve of my 39th birthday, all cards and presents gratefully received!!!).

This gig just fell into place. It all started when I did this benefit gig for Bruce Henderson at the Bowery about sixteen months ago and loved the place. Steve Holley had asked me to play, and he introduced me to Andy York (John Mellencamp's guitarist). Andy and I hit it off and after a year of trying to get together we finally did. We both decided it would be nice to do a gig at the Bowery. I can't ship the English band over for obvious reasons (money), but Andy and I will be joined at the Bowery Ballroom by Steve Holley, Tommy Mandel and John Conte. It's a one off, but we'll see how it goes. Andy and I are also working on pre-production of 10 new songs in New York at the moment. The songs are written; we're just trying them out.

I'm really looking forward to England. It's a charge playing with such a good band and we all get on really well together. I've spent part of this week and will be spending the whole of next week arranging the set. I then move over to the UK, stay with Tracie, and both bands will rehearse in London for a week before going up to Wrexham. Tracie's band then joins the tour in Edinburgh for the remainder of the dates.

Don't expect new stuff. That's for next year. The new studio album will be done in the fall and winter of this year for release next spring. I'd like to put in a few new ones, but you all know the bootleg situation. As I have said in the past, I have no problem with fans swapping gigs. But when they start flogging them on the net or advertising them in magazines they have crossed the line. That's commercial; they are effectively making money out of me and giving me nothing and that's not fair. Some of you say 'What bootlegs?'; Well, I've got seven from the last tour.

Again, thanks for all your e-mail. It is impossible for me to answer each and everyone of them individually, (I wouldn't have time to write a note!), but I will try to answer some of your questions through this column. We'll also try to dispel the rumours and get the truth out there (as I know it at the time). Things do change, however, usually after I've opened my big mouth ahead of time - so don't start moaning if we make a mistake now and again.

There's always a few people who will slag me off from time to time. Free speech. Doesn't really bother me as long as it's valid. That kind of criticism can sometimes help. To be honest, with the cross section of opinions you get (they are so varied), I usually wind up doing what I wanted to do in the first place. That's why I have had so much trouble with managers and labels!

Again, There have been some lovely e-mails. You seem to like the site. Todd and Trudi are doing a stalwart job here. The problem will be keeping it interesting.

Andrew Field - This is the best we can do for now regarding your Q&A idea (a good one).

Steve Karmazin - The American's are a bit behind with the release of 'Once Bitten Twice Shy' but they are releasing it and it should be exactly the same as the English one. We last heard of a release date for the middle of June.

Fans have been asking me out for a drink (thanks Colin and Claire) at the towns I'm visiting and I appreciate the offers most sincerely, but please understand that I'll be doing six shows in a row and I can't party all night or my voice will collapse (not that it hasn't already!). The band, however, will be only too happy to accommodate!

Colin Powell asked how I felt about Spewsbury Town. I feel the same as every Spewsbury Town fan feels - we're still higher than Hereford!

To Terry Rey who has tickets to that Pine Knob gig in Michigan - I'm NOT on the bill. I don't know anything about it and I'm certainly NOT doing it. It must be a scam. Sue 'em!

Phil Holbrook and Dave Crisfield - I wouldn't say no to the Jools Holland show; they haven't asked as far as I know.

Len Costello writes about Hamilton accies - what is it with me and football teams? Oh, it's an English shampoo - Charles Worthington I think.

Ian Walker and Jeff Crones asked about 'Missing In Action'- Yes indeed, it does exist and there will be more about this release somewhere else on the site. We will try to make it available to fans at the gigs.

Pete asked about my Maltese Cross Guitar - was sold for 165 pounds. I was skint at the time. Made by Thompson, the organ company. It was totally useless, but looked great - which was not unlike me at the time.

Andy Davidson - I'm not big on the past or looking back. What's done is done. The convention was very successful and I got to see Phally and Luther and I understand other people loved it - so that's great!

Yes, Mary, I am a fan of NRBQ. Loved the original guitar player (the big one). Went to see them alot with Mick. He loved them too.

Doug - There's always talk about remastering the old studio stuff but nothing definite.

Sorry, Jeff Pavlock I'll be otherwise engaged, but congratulations to your daughters.

Ray Coles - someone will get back to you after the Bowery gig.

Bill Rowan - Great Web Site - remind me after the Bowery gig.

John Holcomb -get back to me after the Bowery gig.

To David Sample - 'Wings' was a ballad I did with Robbie Alter. Anton Figg (David Letterman's drummer) came up to my house in Katonah one day in the 80's and rearranged it into the version you heard on the BBC CD. It was going to be on YUI ORTA but Bernard Edwards didn't think it warranted inclusion.

Some of you ask questions I can't remember the answers to (Greg Luker), don't want to answer, or don't have the time to answer, so apologies. A lot of you just sent congratulations on the site and said lovely things about me which always leaves one with a little glow. Talked to Pete Watts for two hours a few days ago. Lovely bloke - hasn't changed at all.

I'm going to be busy now for awhile, so I don't know when the next Horse's Mouth column will appear, but I promise I'll try and do my bit. Thanks for everything - I'd still be in the factory if it wasn't for you lot.

Bye for now

IH