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Issue #36 - October 18, 2003

I thought I'd give you chaps an update on the Oslo DVD as there seems to be a great deal of confusion about its release. As of the 10th of October, the DVD was being released in the U.K. (October 27th), Spain (October 27th), Holland (October 27th), Norway (October 20th), Australia (October 26th), and Canada (TBC). We are awaiting word from Sweden.

Territories Universal are not releasing the DVD in at this time include: France, Japan, Mexico and Germany. That doesn't mean they won't release it eventually - it just means they are not releasing it this year.

Universal in the U.S. (in their infinite wisdom) have passed on it. They have not even seen it. It was just a question of projected costs vs. projected returns. Obviously we will try to license it elsewhere if we can find a home for it. We are working on it now.

It seems from Universal's end they have problems with staff being cut and they have more stuff than their manpower can physically move. Me - being one of the less stellar luminaries probably figures near the bottom of their list priority-wise.

I do, however, urge those of you who can get the DVD to buy it as it's brill and I'm extremely proud of it. The more interest you show the more the label may feel inclined to go for it with a little more enthusiasm.

So, having cleared that up (for now) let's get on with the job in hand.

Rich's sister gave him 'Rant' (which he didn't know was out). Thinks it's great; wonderful release. Any story behind 'Ripoff' Not really. It's pretty self-explanatory. England and all that. Any new studio work? Nope. I'm told Atlantic are re-releasing the initial four MTH albums as they like the job Angel Air have one with the English releases (extra tracks etc.).

Steve Straker: Am I going to play California? As I said in the last Horse's Mouth, steps are being taken to play there. No firm news yet, but it is being worked on - really!

Mike: Who sang female part on 'Roll Away the Stone'? There's three girls called 'Thunderthighs' on that album. One of them did it, I think it was Karen. Lynsey De Paul, however, did coin the name Ariel Bender.

Chrissie just noticed 'YUI Orta' has been re-released. 'Mick's arrangement of 'Sweet Dreamer' is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard.' Thank you, Chrissie.

David Ivey: 'Will Darrell play with you in England next year - he's one mean guitarist!' Well, Darrell and Cuddles are both great players, but I'm kind of stuck on Andy and Mick right now. That doesn't mean I won't be playing with Darrell again. I love his playing - totally organic.

Alan Keinch: Will I traverse the pond next year? Helter Skelter are already working on the tour for next May and there may be a few European dates stuck on the back end.

Willie's pissed off at Groover for filling the Message Board 'full of crap' about Rod Steward, Queen and T. Rex. He says Groover's chasing the genuine fans of the Message Board away. Well, I've never seen the Message Board so I can't really get involved Willie. Don't immerse me!!!

George Saadi remembers the tour I did with Todd Rundgren. Still has the T-shirt! George asks if anything happened with regard to an AOL commercial which George thought was nicked from 'Cleveland Rocks'. Trudi says she sent the cassette to EMI but nothing happened. Who knows? George says the division of Clear Channel he worked for closed down recently, but he was glad he got the chance to interview me. The interview was for you George - not Clear Channel.

Mark Wheelier says he was listening to 'Drive In Saturday' and remembered that I turned it down. Did D.I.S. get offered to us after ATYD? Or did they come together? Why did I turn it down? Didn't I like it? Did we have 'Honaloochie Boogie' in the bag? Was there any pressure on you to accept it? Well, for a start I was in MTH at the time. Whatever Mott did was pretty democratic. It had to be 5-0 before any decision was made (which was more than a bit of a pain), but we never turned it down. We had this arrangement of that song which was completely different (don't ask me - I've forgotten it now) and we wanted to do it. David Bowie is fond of saying he offered it to us and we turned it down. To my recollection, that wasn't the case at all. The only thing I can think of is that Tony Defries (who managed us both at the time) told David one story and us another. Mark also asks if we consciously changed our style when we had the hits - as we sounded very different before. Well, the 'Dudes' album comes to mind. On this album we worked a lot with David and to some extent with Ronno. Also our time with Island was running out. Island was an end and David felt like a new beginning. We learned a lot about production and we also felt we had to go up a level. The live shows were great but not many bands last without hits. I was aware we had to have hits to survive as Island were pretty much fed up with us. Had we not done the 'Dudes' album I think Mott's legacy and mine would have been much, much smaller. I know some people still preferred us as we were originally, but the business doesn't look at it that way. I personally think what we did was right for the time. We wrote about our time and what we were doing - we were just a little tighter that's all!

Mark DeFederico went to see me with Ringo. He says when I did 'Cleveland Rocks' I proclaimed Rumson (New Jersey) was posh and nobody knew what I was on about. Neither did I! Says I've seen him through some dodgy times. Good!

Peter Jordan asks, 'Was the guitar solo on 'Michael Picasso' deliberately done the way Ronno would have done it, and who wrote it? First of all, I think Cuddles (Paul Cudderford) was the one that put that solo together, but you have to look at the chord sequence beneath it as well. Ronno loved that kind of a sequence and Cuddles is a huge fan of Ronnos so it all came together beautifully. Cuddles though created it and very good it is too. Kudos Cuds!

David Wadsworth: 'Silver Needles' was written about Sid Vicious. I only new Marc Bolan briefly.

Richard (Germany): When we left 'Mott the Hoople' Mick joined me at Bobby Columby's house in the U.S. where I was recuperating. Mick felt we should do an album immediately, to use the emotions we were both feeling at the time. Mick went back to England and formed a band. I think we had Pete Arneson on keyboards, Geoff Appleby from the Rats on bass, and some drummer I wasn't too keen on. At one time we lived in a flat above Dennis Elliott and his wife Iona. We eventually replaced the drummer with Dennis and that is how the album was done. Simon Phillips was earlier at the very end of Mott. We just played together one day quite by chance and got on well. Simon was 15 at the time and went on to be one of Britain's greatest drummers. His father, Sid, led a big band called Sid Phillip's Orchestra. Later, after I'd left MTH I asked him to join us, but his Dad wouldn't let him go to the U.S. and that was part of the deal at the time.

Jordan's been going through it a bit. 'Sometimes music helps - last year 'Rant' and George Harrison's 'Brainwashed' helped.' Well, I can't speak for George, but I'm glad to have been of service. Chin up!

Mike Mitchell from the excellent BCB 96.7 FM in Bradford. How are you? Wants to know who's promoting 'Strings Attached' in the UK? Well, Universal are the label. That's all I know. Iain Snodgrass in International might be able to help you, but don't hold your breath! We'll be there (Leeds).

Nigel: You've got me there, Nigel.

Julian Richards: Forwarded.

Tim Turpin works with the U.S. Army in Cleveland, Ohio. He wants a new motto - enter 'Cleveland Rocks'. Traced its authorship all the way back to me. Can he use the phrase? 'Cleveland Rocks' is not a registered phrase Tim (although that is a good idea!). So you can use the phrase. However, if you want to use the song (or any part thereof) you'd need to contact the licensing department of EMI Publishing for a license.

Peejay say the Stones were brilliant at the Astoria. I can well believe that. 'Keith Richard must be the coolest bloke on the planet - ever met him?' Yes, but I'm not sure if he was there.

Perry Edelbergs: You're late. See my reply to Tim above.

Steve Higgs runs a Ford Capri in Classic Saloons. Races at Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Spa-Francochamps, etc. Would love to put a decal on his car of my albums. Go for it, Steve. I love stuff like this; it's different.

Clinto P. Desveaux wants to interview me on the general state and direction of music and what I think happens next. I think they've almost squeezed it dry Clinton, and they're not stopping!

Jeffrey Stanke: Actually, it's been a bit rough in our neck of the woods lately. Somebody came to Hunter Towers this very morning and sawed up a fallen tree (which narrowly missed the house).

Renee says her brain can't take the fact we may play L.A. She thinks Willie's onto something with the 'kilt thing'. NO! She suggests an 'Ian Hunter Greatest Trouser Tour'. 'Some of us are partial to the purple on the cover of the live album while others favor the black leathers from the 89/90 Hunter/Ronson tour. Perhaps you could have replicas made of the velvet ones so memorably split and mended and split and mended in 'Diary'. Actually, it is a great name for a tour.

Greg Holloway: I don't think anybody ever did video or film, the Uris Theatre shows. It's a great pity no one had the foresight. Even an amateur one would have been neat, but I've never heard of one surfacing. No, Mott were never filmed except for promos.

David Griffith says google have got me mixed up with the actor of the same name. Says Ralpher's site has got more colour on it than mine (the swine!).

Andy Dav was interested in my connection to the McClaren clan. Says he went to Culloden (as in the battle of) and says it's very moving. I've never been myself. Andy's descended from a clan to. He suspects a rather lazy one as it runs in his family! My lot were all in service. Nothing much changes does it? Andy says I cannot tour the UK next year unless it's before May 18th as he's going to Greece. April is also fine, but I can't go in June either as he'll be away following the Euro Championships. Is that OK? Fine. Is it true footballers only know one word? I wouldn't mind but six year olds are watching this. How about a 10,000 pound fine every time a footballer says this word on TV?

Dixie Howard knows musicians who've been screwed royally. Did I avoid these pitfalls? No, I didn't avoid them. Frankly, it would take a genius to avoid them and we're renowned for only having one side working. I have had good people working with me too, fortunately, so I came through 50% unscathed. Is it a loser's game? It's hard to say because I loved it so much when I started I didn't care who screwed me. Put it like this - it's not for the faint of heart. Can losers get lucky? Course they can! Blind optimism is a plus and talent plays its part.

Dave Bennett - Will do.

Bill Steffen: Tim Howard's great, isn't he? Used to watch him with the ambitiously titled Metrostars. The guy they've got now is good too. No, I haven't seen any ladies matches.

Merrick Rotenberry: Merrick thought he was the only fan in Arkansas. Says there's a guy on Yahoo IH/MTH message board who collects songs by other bands covering my material (Friendly Louis from France). Merrick plays in a local band and they do 'Resurrection Mary'. 'What do you think about a band called SwampPoodle in Little Rock, Arkansas covering your stuff?' Well, my first thought is how did you find the song? It's not even released in the U.S. Must be the web. My second thought is great. Winds up saying he's not as old as me. Nobody is.

Matt Nojonen: If I could put the boot in the groin of one person who would it be? 'Think of it as a universal boot to be used as you see fit.' Maybe the answer's in the question. 'Did Irene Wilde ever recognize the folly of her ways and regret never having given you the time of day?' Probably not. She had twins and was married and that's OK because if she'd have liked me I would never have written the song. 'What group or individual performers do you go out of your way to see?' I don't go out of my way to see anybody. 'What is your take on the Hall of Fame?' There's some nice people working there but I don't agree with the concept. I'm with you on that one.

Tom L: Washington DC. We'll see.

Simon Lewis: Is there any Hunter/Ronson still in the archives? You know, I really don't know.

John Pottage: No, I didn't know Brian Connolly was born in Hamilton. I don't think we ever played on the same bill. Neither did I know he was 'Taggarts' brother. Met him and Steve Priest one time in Sweden but he was out of it. Thank you, John.

Mark Whitney: Turning people onto 'Rant' in Bucharest, Romania. Good show! Lives in Phoenix. Says I should play the theater in the round. Been there - done it (probably before you were born). We actually had our first Mexican food prior to a performance at the Celebrity Theater - the stage was not only moving - it was alive! Mark played with Steve Jones and is currently doing a project with Ian McLagen who is a lovely man. Do give him my best.

Pat asks if I have ever stopped writing? Well, I never actually stop, but a lot of it's not up to snuff and never sees the light of day. I don't know if I'd feel better not writing because I've never tried it. I've got a feeling I'd feel worse if I didn't write because that's probably the reason why I started to write in the first place. Which song would I like the Stones to cover? 'Women's Intuition' off YUI Orta immediately comes to mind, but I'd have to give it more thought. Glad you like 'Dead Man Walkin.'

Kellie Graves: Kellie's 14 and loves 'Dead Man Walkin' too. Her friends don't agree, 'but they don't understand real music.' You can say that again, Kellie. Part of the problem is they're not allowed to.

Ross Hartnett says, 'If you've never seen Warren Zevon have a look at his clip of 'Werewolves of London'. In the left hand corner of the clip is a guitarist doing the best impression of you I've ever seen.' I will Ross. I will.

Keith Sparbanie: Wants us in Pittsburgh! Someone nicked his copy of 'Diary' where can he get one? Amazon.com.

DavidFord writes a lovely long letter. Thank you, David. Glad you agree. Have you heard 'Rant' yet?

Kind David: The AP music headline said, 'Ian Hunter Dead' apparently it was an 84 year old music agent. Says he's happy it wasn't me (good oh). Would like an acoustic CD before I pop off too. We'll see.

Ralph Greco just got 'Rant' at his local record import store 'Sound Exchange' and loves it.

Tony Sindaco: Yes, Overend wrote the words to 'Born Late 58'. I don't know what it means apart from the obvious. I'll mention it next time I'm talking to him.

Jeff Stanke sends me 'The Outsider' in Spanish. Says it looks better. Thanks for taking the time er, Jeff.

Dean Roecker: Do I ever go onto the message board and read all the silly things talked about me? Do I secretly write back under a different identity just to fudge heads? Dean bets I do. I don't. (I don't think I've ever seen the message board.) Dean says I have to get a Sheltie Dog. I can't because our cat, Stinky, would kill it immediately. We bought my Mum and Dad a Sheltie once. Her name was Kayla and she had three pups and they kept them all. We used to take them for walks by the sea in Bispham. Dean still wants a guitar but seems to have gone of the trousers.

I took a break here, and Trudi and I went to Rick and Stef Tedesco … the Yankees won in the 11th (I'm a Yankee fan, but kinda hoped Boston would win this time). Rick and I were shit faced and I can't remember a thing about it.

Martin Reagan asks if we could do 'Resurrection Mary' next year. That's a probable plus.

Roger (CT) asks where did the piano intro go that was on our web site? Perhaps Todd or Justin (our brilliant webmasters) can answer this one. Would I play a local casino? All depends on the financial end.

Paul Kennett: You are not only at the top of the conference you're running away with it. Swine! John Waite is not the same guy as Honest John Plain. They couldn't be more different (both nice people).

Tom Davies on the subject of songs, mentioning MTH. 'Reunion' had a hit with a song called 'Life is a Rock (but the radio rolled me)'. Hardly fair Tom - it mentions nearly everybody who ever lived.

Glenn Metsch-Ampel: Sees a couple of coincidences in Velvet Goldmine, but I think that's all they are.

Tim DeWeese: Is a musician and rather knowledgeable at that. He goes into 'Once Bitten Twice Shy' at length, some of my other stuff which he compares favourably with some of the larger luminaries in the biz. At the end he says I should do an album 2/3rds rock, 1/3 the other stuff. Would that I could, Tim. Fast simple rock songs don't grow on trees - ballads do (at least for me). He'd also like me to hurry up. I'm slow - what can I say. Slow or idle, one or the other.

Andy P.: Am I coming to Stockholm soon? I don't think I am Andy.

Janey Todd says thanks.

Bfhend: Would I comment on Mike Bloomfield's influence on me and Ronno. Sure, Bfhend - no disrespect to Mr. B, but no influence I can think of.

Oor Wullie has secretly leaked information of my lifetime achievement award from Scotland. Only catch is I have to perform a number at the ceremony with Madonna, Britney and Christia. Obviously, the song is 'No Wheels to Ride'. A current favourite of the trio's. It's all too much for me, Willie (sob). Not much else from my Scottish management except he's thinking of nominating me for 'best newcomer' at the Edinburgh MTV awards. What a lovely day out that would be.

Jim Angelo: Detroit soon? Maybe next year, we're working on it.

Dawn Preston: Is 19 and heard my records in the womb (that's a new one). Was in Oslo and loved it. Will Tracie support next year? Don't know as of yet. She usually tells me if she is or if she isn't!

Chris: How many copies has 'Rant' sold? I don't really know at the moment. 'How does it compare with artists who are more of a household names?' But they get airplay and I don't.

Sybil Ruscoe: Is from Wem (in Shropshire). I know Wem. I lived in Whitchurch for awhile when I was a kid. Went to Whitchurch Grammar School before moving to Shrewsbury. Will I be doing a Shropshire gig? I don't really know. It's down to the local promoters and Helter Skelter, but it is a bit overdue.

Patty Woltz: Hey Patty. The neighborhood's fine, but for a few flying trees. Patty's son, Erick, is twelve now and has got a band going with his mates. They're called 'Pryde' (www.pryde.com). Best of luck, lads.

Bill Henderson likes YUI Orta (CD awesome- Mick at his best). Come to LA. We're trying - we really are.

Rick A asks if I was, or am, a Kerouac fan? 'On the Road' - great. I tried the others - didn't really get off on them. What other authors influenced? Dylan influenced and inspired.

J.P. 'When Mott split did Overend give Bowie a call because he'd worked for him before?' Actually, I think Pete rang looking for a job with David and David said 'But you're in Mott' and Pete said we'd split up. David said 'No, No, No' and the rest is history. Yes, I'd say Pete was the most enthusiastic 'glam' member. He's still very aware of stuff like 'looks' and 'image'. He likes all that. 'The line in Saturday Gigs, 'Did you see the suits and the platform boots' seems at odds with Overend's image. Not really, by this time we'd climbed down off the heels and were once again respectably denim clad (I think). Who sang, 'Oh dear, Oh God, Oh my - oh my'? Morgan Fisher.

Steve Green: Am I still located in the New York area? Roughly, yes. A.T.I. are now representing me.

Brian Easton has got the new 'YUI Orta' and loves the Ronno bonus tracks. Says liner notes are good. 'Album should have sold a million, but record company stinks' True. Asks if I had my time again would I choose the same path? If the circumstances were the same at the beginning - I would. Brian badgers local radio stations. Great!

Fredrik Pettersson: Hello Fredrik!!! How's the family? Well, I hope. Apparently the Swedish Fan Site is almost complete. The URL is: http://w1.739.comhem.se/~u73902044/index.htm

Randall: 'Funk little boat race' Cockney rhyming slag for face. Why wasn't Bowie at Mick's Memorial? Don't know; ask him. Please do full shows in New York. I'm sure we will in the near future.

Jeffrey Stanke: 'Drift Away' written by Mentor Williams (Paul's brother) not Dobie Gray - as previously stated. Good song that.

Gert Pederson: Denmark awaits me! We'll see. I like Denmark, I got a mate there, Billy Cross. Know him?

M X Herro got some photos from the 80's. Where to send them? Not to me thanks - I've got tons of the stuff already.

JZ / Big Denny: 'With Phil Spector running around shooting people and Arnold as Governor - you still want to come to LA?' Course I do - it's all part of LA - isn't it? Unreal. Has a bootlegged copy of H/R at the Coach House. That was their payment for getting to the stage safely (those were the days). No - they're not selling, so don't try. P.S. The wives liked 'Irene Wilde' on Ringo tour.

Milo: I don't know what's going on with the Bottom Line. They owe back rent to NYU and are trying to close him down. I've never actually played there although I came near a couple of times. Did I catch the blues bios on PBS? Most of them - beautifully done. See - we still get great TV once in a while.

Kevin McGoverin: Who's doing promo in the U.K. for the live album? Well, the CD's been put back to the New Year. Quite honestly, I don't see any promo on the horizon. Universal has an in house staff but it's a mad house over there. They're blaming job cuts (this week Universal made 13,500 redundant). Lack of staff and too much product. Thanks for your interest - hang in. Trudi suggests you contact the promoter of the venue - they are always looking for ways to sell another ticket.

Kent. M. Do I know what Luther Grosvenor is up to? Kent gets mad when Luther gets put down. He loves Ronno, but feels Luther gets a raw deal. I agree. He was great in Spooky Tooth - that was his style. Mott, I don't think, suited him so well, but boy did he elevate the level of fun and excitement within and without the band. Luther's a great player - crazy, but great. But sometimes it doesn't work when you're in the wrong band for what you're good at. He stuck with it because he loved us and we loved him. Man, he's hard to keep up with!

Darren loved the Toronto show. Thanks, Darren.

Terry Battersby says, 'Thanks for giving a shit'. That's a compliment.

Matt Nojonen: Matt sends another of his periodic spoofs. There's got to be a home for these in book form somewhere Matt. They're really good!

Douglas Taylor asks if I'm religious. I don't know. I definitely have a major problem with organized religion. Wouldn't touch any of them with a barge pole, but you've got to be amazed at all this. Something created it. Agnostic in human terms but there are several senses we seem to be missing or avoiding. As a race we're pretty stupid and underdeveloped. Come back to me in a thousand years.

Tom Cooper,'Play Canada!' We'll see. We'll see.

Lastie Duhan: 'Play Texas!' We'll see. We'll see.

Greg Osborne writes in the midst of death radio there is a guy in Phoenix who plays his own record collection 24/7 with absolutely no commercials. It sounds like an original FM station - obscure album cuts and all and he has a pretty powerful bandwidth. The station is KCDX 103.1. Greg hopes this guy can keep it up. So do I. He got 'Rant' six months ago and there's one track he doesn't like on it, which is the same track I don't like. Radio deplorable. 'Wish I Was Your Mother' equated to 'Days of Wine and Roses'! A long and interesting email. Thanks Greg.

Milo asks if I was ever managed by Colin Johnson and Quarry and if so, how were they? I was managed by CJ actually, but not by Quarry. Colin managed me when I was with NEMS in the 60's. Actually, I don't think he managed, I think he booked us. I was in Colin's office one day when Jimi Hendrix walked in. He couldn't decide whether he was going to a party in London that night or a party in New York. I was impressed!! So this was the big time!! Quarry I don't know about. I think after MTH split, Buffin and Pete were managed by Quarry, but I could be wrong. Colin has a nice hotel we stayed in while rehearsing for the last British tour.

Willie: Oh-oh urgent product recall! They've had to pull the Scotty MacHunter dolls off the shelves just when they were becoming the quickest selling toy of the year. Wrong tartan! Willie - how could you! He says the sweatshop is on 24 hour stand by. Willie asks me to make this announcement official as already there's signs of rioting on the streets of Glasgow. It's so hard to get good help nowadays.

Michele Lynn: Play Piermont New York. Have I listened to Luther's album 'Under Open Skies'? I did at the time and thought it was a fine album. I like his simple acoustic songs the best. Michele says Luther's an electrician now and living in London. I haven't heard from him in a year. You never know where the bugger is. He's got a really handsome son I met one time.

Bruce Roscoe has read that the Hammersmith recording (Mott the Hoople Live) is to be reissued as a re-mastered or expanded version or both. Any idea of release date? When I was last in London Sony told me next May.

Titanium Tim says, 'Now take a moment to reflect back to what would have occurred that day you almost didn't join Mott the Hoople?' I'd have gone to work and then gone down the pub with Miller.

Frank Firicano saw Queen open for MTH and Kiss open for Hunter/Ronson. How do I feel about those bands going on to enormity while we didn't? Well, there's no accounting for taste - is there?

Hope Campbell: 'Don't listen to Ed - he's a dumb ass.' She didn't notice any sarcasm. She says maybe I was I was having an off day. It can happen. So. The Campbell Clan slaughtered the McDonalds at Glencoe. See - what goes around - comes around. I do like Prince a lot. Hope says she and her uncle played 'Jack U Off' at 45 r.p.m. 'You never heard the Chipmunks so dirty!' Cleveland awaits.

Kwacker remembers a gig at the Glasgow Apollo. Things got a little hectic so they put the lights on and asked the audience to behave. Apparently we stopped playing and I told them to switch them off again. They did and we all had a great rowdy night out. Still got the little statuette they gave us for selling out. The manager's head was bandaged and bleeding - they'd put his head through one of the glass doors, but he still came back and presented us with the statue. Stout fellow.

Glenn, the 'Rock' has taken to calling me Sir Ian. I like this. Right up there with Cliff and Elton.

Cary G. asks what car do I drive. There's a Volvo and a Merc (Trudi got it for her birthday). I usually nick the Merc if she's not looking.

Rikard Swardh has got his copy of the Oslo DVD! (How?) Calls it 'A great piece of art.' Thank you for that.

John O'Rourke says I belong in the Hall of Fame. Would it be more appropriate as a member of MTH or as a solo artist? We'll worry about that if we ever get to it. An educated guess for England next spring would be the middle of May on but I don't know yet for sure. Bit of a schlepp that John - Texas to London. Good on you.

Janne Olsson: I don't recollect Mick ever playing a Guild. I played a few of them. The guitar in the picture is probably mine - not Mick's.

Katie Mann: 'The father of a friend of mine has just turned me onto your music. He gives us a lift to school every day in his car and has been playing a tape of some of your songs. I really like 'Thunderbuck Ram' (Mick Ralphs wrote that) and 'Waterlow'. I am 17 and I think you really mean what you sing - unlike the crap that I'm supposed to like - love Katie.'

Julian Madley says the new 'YUI Orta' is awesome.

Lisa Pines asks why did I change my name from Ian Hunter Patterson to Ian Hunter? Well, I wasn't having much luck with Ian Patterson, so when I joined MTH I shortened it to I.H. I thought it sounded better.

Chris Lewis asks if we have considered the H.M. as a marketing tool and selling direct to your fans online. I've wanted to do this for a long time now, but Trudi has always said it would be too time consuming. For some reason she drags her feet on this and it's her department so I'm staying out of it. She says it is an eventuality and doesn't want to put out rubbish. I know she's engaged a graphic artist to work on some things through Mick Brown and his company Jerkin Crocus. (Actually, he ran some things by us when we were in England). We'll see.

Anyway, that's it for now. I know I missed some but my arm hurts. We'll talk.

IH
The Horse's Mouth