Scott McCrumb: Add organ to 'Twisted Steel' and come with it as a single. Nah.

Pat: I don't know if Jim Henson was a fan, but I was invited to the Glenda Jackson show and Animal searched all my pockets for drugs!

Alan: Studio album - all new songs - 2006.

Steve Baratta says BMG CD club is now offering 'Strings Attached' on Sanctuary. Steve's suggested 'Rant' as well. Good oh. We've been doing 'The Outsider' more recently.

Phil Huband: Do I do New Year's Eve gigs? No. Have I ever written a Christmas song? Yes, I did write one, but I've never felt the need to put it out.

Michael Thomas: 'When you search IH on Amazon.com DVD (the U.S. site) you come up with 'Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter.' Lovely.

Jeffrey: Album titles - all naff - try again!

Steve Seattle' 'Living in Pasture' Sod off!!

John/Indiana: 'A lot of 70's and 80's bands stay together even though the creative spark has gone. How do they justify it? Money. Boredom.

Ian Hollinghurst: Thoughts on Tony Defries? I liked Tony. It's true he was one of those chaps who took more money than he should have for services rendered - but I was excellent in the early days when it mattered. He's one of those guys who can explain everything logically, but he's usually coming from an illogical starting point. I like old Deep Freeze - from a distance. We hope to tour the UK in the fall of 2006. Favourite cover - I'd have to go back and look….

John Rawinski's Dad says, 'a Hoople is a guy who - when he's talking - the story goes round and round again and back to the beginning and it doesn't mean anything.' Sounds about right, John.

Mike Robinson: We'll talk to Hank and see what develops.

Eric Becica: Whatever works for your ears - that's it.

Barry: Les Paul Juniors - they fit nice and they only have two knobs. Simplicity.

Bobby C. always trust the message - never the messenger. You never know (my ears just popped).

Mike Saunders would like to pass on his condolences to Jackie Farrell's family, her husband, Brian, and their two kids. Says he had eight years of stupid, sad, silly and unashamedly nostalgic transatlantic friendship all because of a mutual love for music.

Heather: 'Here's a message a piano player named Perry, sent you at MYSPACE: 'Hello, Ian - made a record with Mick Ronson - we lived in the same apartment for two months in Florence, Italy. It'll never forget him - great guy - great artist - great friend.' Nice one, Perry.

Colin Loggins: 'Is it true that you, Trudi and I watched 'Roots' at my parents house (Dan Loggins) sometime in the early 70's - or is my memory messed up.' Well, we knew Dan, pretty well around that time (in London) so it's possible. Say hi from us.

Bryan: Ronson's thoughts on Dylan? He wasn't that keen going in, but he was a convert when he came out. One story was at the end of the tour they all lined up to be paid (thousands). They gave Mick a bill. Always was a lousy card player.

Time out. We're landing.

Stan Piekarski: Tommy's Dylan's guitar tech now.

Trevor II: Hi Trev. Don't know about the necklace - I had an Indian one, rather large, a shock blossom - bought it in New Mexico. Still got it. It'll probably be the autumn.

Jim Ashhurst back from Japan (supporting Motley Crue) with L.A. hard rock outfit 'Buck Cherry'. They've got a new CD coming out. Best of luck with it, Jim.

Augie Preston asks, 'What inspires you?' Anything - the same things you see - things that piss me off. I decided a long time ago I wasn't going to experiment in music. This is what I'm good at so I try to take 'this' as far as I can. Some people are good at experiments - I'm not.

Paul Abbott: 'Duet with Tracie?' If it naturally came up, but she does her thing and I do mine.

Jeff: Just as long as I get my cut - that's all. Like the 'Twisted Steel' idea!! (that's my cut right there).

Francis L: 1) How did I hook up with Roy Bitten and Max for 'Schizo'? Through a good friend and manager at the time Steve Popovich. 2) Did I see Bruce at his debut in '74 at Hammersmith? No. 3) Have you ever played with the Boss? No. We've had a chat a couple of times. 4) Are you a fan of 'Born to Run'? Isn't everybody? 5) Clarence Clemmons? Do you still talk? Haven't seen Clarence in ages. Love his sound. 6) Do you love New Jersey? I have to - half the band live there!

Kelly Wallace - a guy - loves tasty licks Ralpher plays at the end of 'Irene Wilde'. Well, Ralpher is Ralpher. Totally classy and unique.

James Takahashi: Thank you, James.

Chris Miller and fiancée Andrea are getting married on February 11th and the first dance will be my (excellent) version of Nightingale. Congrats and good luck to you both.

Stephen Moinar: How do you do the set list? Well, the main thing is to surround as many ballads as possible with enough faster songs so that everyone doesn't die of boredom. Start off with something interesting - try and keep it that way and go out with a flourish. Sometimes it just falls into place and that's nice. Sometimes it can be a problem. I always think my sets are too long, but there's such a lot of material and different people like different things. What songs do I like singing to myself? It varies year to year. I enjoy 'Dead Man Walkin'' immensely. It also depends on the room and the mood. Sometimes you just zero in and it's great. You mention, 'Mother' a slower song - easy chords - that very often hits the spot. 'Boy' is another one and ' Resurrection Mary'.

Zamarath Thoth: I'm good, Zam; I'm good. Magic, isn't it?

Gary Gick seems to have had a few ups and downs which, happily, are solving themselves. That's what life is. If it were all up, you wouldn't know you were up! Gary's another message board fan and thanks all of the regulars for their input. Beats me why I bother to turn up - you lot are self contained!

Matt Nojonan: Why not a spoof book, Matt? They're all good.

Colin Blades says I go deep. That's just my way of doing things. Don't know any other way (Honaloochie Boogie excepted!)

Pat: My father would never discuss his work with MI5. He was a foot soldier. I know his boss was Roger Hollis. Read about him.

Bucks Burnett: 'The war on crap commences!!' More power to yah.

Hohn McMillan: 'I've been a fan fir years, my brother saw MTH in '74 and got us all hooked. I am a contractor working in Iraq. Your comment on your DVD stuck in my head. You said we feel bad about fighting in Iraq - well it might be corporate on some level, but I can assure you we're doing good over here. You just don't see it on TV. The good is not reported. We've built a lot of schools and hospitals and are helping with the infrastructure and believe me, most Iraquis are happy to be out from under Sadam's rule. There are always two sides to every story. Take care, Ian - thanks for a great trip.' I agree with everything you've just stated, John. That's not what I'm against.

Greg Wheeler: Did I hang with Lou Reed? Briefly, on the Dudes album. I told him an exceed-ingly long joke which I messed up at the end. Am I a Beatles fan? Yup.

Jeff: Yes, we did hear the rumble and the rain as we left (8AM) this morning. Supposed to be crappy tomorrow for the flight back. Saw Mill flooded as usual.

Drew Hosey: 1) 'Why did you choose 'Dudes' over 'Suffragette City'?' Better song. 2) How much pot were you holding in Indianapolis that time you were busted? It wasn't pot. It was disturbing the peace.

Eric Hemphill: 'What is a 'superstar mouse'?' An extremely small super star.

Alexander Falk: 'Who wrote 'Ships' - you or Manilow?' I wrote, 'Ships'.

Laurent Corsyn is 17, calls me Mr. Hunter and lives in Belgium, Brussels. Laurent has never seen us live and asks if we will play in Belgium (hope so). 'I'm a musician - I play violin!' Keep practicing. That's all it is. Welcome aboard, Laurent.

Paul Prizer: 'Have Brian May and I ever worked together in the studio? Well, he did some harmonies on AAAB way back when and we've done a few bits live. If he asks me I'd do it - he's a lovely chap. Trouble is geography.

Ooor Wullie: 'Salvation' army corps. It's just a question of fit. I've got several songs that are fine, but don't fit what I'm doing at the moment. So stick that in your breeks 'n' smoke it!!

Diane Tibby: I'll get on it when I get back.

OK. So it's 5:25 in Indianapolis and Andy, James and I are soundchecking. Time for a bath and my hair!! My God - my hair!! Sorry if I missed you - nothing personal. Try again. Happy New Year - over and out.

IH

P.S. The gig was a lot of fun. Happy Birthday Derek! Thanks to all, especially Robbie. We're now on our way back from sunny Indianapolis into a freezing New York. Derek's got some good artist in his family. Both pictures were great.