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Issue #82, Part 1 - Jan 2008

Ah - Morning all - Happy New Year!

John N. wants a gig in Washington. Sends seasonal greetings to be known as S.G.'s for this month's Horse's Mouth. Same to you!

Phil Bonell: 'Liverpool Brill. 'Shrunken Heads' best yet. See you in M.K.'

Rick Graves: Sony is talking about a live album, so we'll see.

Tanya: 'Do 'Irene Wilde' in Philly.' I didn't, did I? I'm thinking about doing it again. Sorry about that. ' 'Shrunken Heads' amazing - major Christmas gift to friends.'

Pete Evans: 'Went to the show you did just outside Shrewsbury - any chance of any more?' Played there a couple of times; it was most enjoyable. I heard the promoter moved.

Tom Otis thought Milwaukee was spectacular!! Keep the Midwest in the tour loop.' We will.

Hal: That would be either Sham or Mick.

Bill Mayo: 'Do a few rarities.' Well, there are rarities and then there are songs that bore the casual visitor. My job is to figure that out.

Malcolm George loved Bilston - looking forward to the acoustic sets. 'Ever tried to get all your promo videos on one DVD?' I don't really have the inclination. It's what's next that interests me.

John (Northampton) also loved Bilston, but wants a Northampton gig next time (as I do). Says his kids know my lyrics better than he does (one is four the other two!).

Gary Sawruk says he's going to nag me about a covers album and that H.O.F. thing - you know - really - who cares.

Michael Wolfe: 'Milwaukee sold too quickly.' Nothing sells too quickly Michael.

Jeff Zazbar: 'The other week I closed a bar, went home, pulled my car to the side of the garage on my lawn and turned up 'Shrunken Heads.' I took a ladder - climbed on top of my garage and air guitared. Then I heard, 'What are you doing up there?' - it was the cops. Well, they couldn't do anything - thanks for the good tunes.' Hey.

Rick Lake: 'I asked you a question that was answered and posted in November 2007 (part 1). You answered yes and no. I forgot one of the questions and which question I asked first. Could you please email me the question I asked first. Could you please email me the question I asked - if it's not possible I understand.' It's not possible - you understand.

Rick L: 'Play Southern California next year.' We'll see. I've got a record to write.

Brad Brown: Philly's great - and it's near.

Jonathan: 'Ever thought of playing Norwich?' The last time I played Norwich some guy at the University threw a bottle and decked Earl Slick. Nothing like a good education to get you going.

Christian: Any plans for Sweden (Gothenburg) especially? Don't know at the moment. I'm on other stuff, but everybody knows I'm very keen on Scandinavia.

Lee Harrington: 'I see my five year old is not unique in his love for your music. Sesame Street was supplanted by 'Hymn for the Dudes' a few years back and it's been all MTH/Ian since then for little Nate … thanks for that.' Aaah - Happy New year, Nate!!

Jeffrey Stanke: We survived!

Dean: 'Have your perceptions of America changed since you wrote the book?' Let's see, couldn't stand Nixon then, can't stand Bush now. Roll on Obama. Save us from second hand car dealers before it's too late. We have two enemies, Dean, and only one of them is foreign.

Brian Andrew Marek: 'How did your collaboration with BOC come about?' I was at a gig and this guy came to me backstage in the darkness and said, 'Hi Ian, I'm Eric.' I couldn't see him (dark shades) then he said, ' It's Eric, Eric the Oyster!' (We'd opened for them at one time.) And so we had a chat. Then Eric invited me to his house and we ate and drank and wrote together - that's how it happened.

Kevin: 'Jot down another book? I've always wondered how musicians/artists I admire deal with the everyday stresses of life (bills, family etc.)' Just the same as anybody else, Kevin. Just the same.

Jayne: 'Diary of a Rock 'n' Roll Star.' But it's too late now! The MTH Campbell Devine bio was just reprinted in the UK so you could try Amazon UK (and they may also have Diary).

Tom Andrews: 'Come to Houston - you've only gotten better. Love the new album - how come no air play?' Give me half a million dollars and you may hear it on the radio.

Daniel Hafferty: 'Has anybody contacted you with regard to Kansas City?' Not that I'm aware of.

Cino: 'Going to the Troc in Philly!' We'll be there, well, we were there …

Nina Koridek: 'Play, 'Life After Death' I guess it's coming around again. 'I saw you tonight in Brooklyn - you were amazing (see!). What was it like having Roy Bittan as a producer on Schitzo?' I don't think he produced it - I believe Mick and I did. He had a big hand in the arrangements. Lovely chap. We did disagree over 'Just Another Night.' He heard it much more Springsteen. We did a medium tempo version with great keyboards on it but it was just too near to Bruce so it turned into a rocker. It probably would have been a hit done Roy's way, but you gotta do what you gotta do!

David Bell: Looking forward to Manchester!

Rich Jackiewicz: Talking about, 'Give Me Back My Wings'. I remember writing this in New York and Robbie Altar lived in the next building and popped round and put amazing guitar on the demo. Did it with Mick live and it's on BBC Live/Windsong album released in 1995 - only with Ronno playing lead instead of Robbie. We did it a lot live. Steve Holley was in that band as well. Good song. You're right - I should have another look at it. Trouble is, I'm onto new stuff now.

Bob Clayton: 'Shrunken Heads' all killer - no filler!' Like that! 'How have sales done compared with 'Rant'?' Up. 'You seem to be getting more recognition these days, is this all in my mind?' I think the perception of me is changing - at last.

Jeffrey: Oh, sod the weather!

Scott: 'Who can I discuss permission for recording a MTH song with?' You don't have to discuss it with anybody. Checked with Trudi and she says as long as you get a mechanical license from the song's publisher/administrator - which they must grant if the track has already been released -you don't need 'permission'. Don't panic, Lad!

Marty Roy's fed up. He called his son, Ian, after me and now his son is 21 and a guitarist/songwriter. Marty's rueing the fact he didn't call him Bill Gates! Totally understandable - we were young and impressionable!

Robert Mathisen has heard 'Ships' 21,000 times and sings Manilow's karaoke version (and does a good job if it). 'I'm amazed Manilow had such good taste!' Actually, it was Clive Davis (Head of Arista at that time) who played him the song. And it was Steve Popovich who played it to Clive. As you can see - a few flukes have to happen before a song actually sees the light of day.

Tom Crolly: Oh Tom, there's nothing I can say. It's that age - I'm so sorry. You just have to hold on and slowly it will get better. Hang in, Tom. Just hang in.

Bryan: Everything Mick ever did, touched me.

Larry Woodside: Thanks for the continued support, Larry. Best for the New Year.

Bill Kershaw was at the Troc - 'Thanks for a great show.'

Vince Dodd was at the Troc - 'Band kicked ass - set list perfect - can't wait for a come back.'

Julie Modaressi wants 'Diary of a Rock Star'. The publisher is Independent Music Press in England - Trudi just told me. It's not out of print in the UK. She says she'll try to get some copies for the February UK tour.

Pat: 'Perfect weekend - Ian Hunter Friday and Neil Young Saturday. Great show. Glad you quit smoking - congratulations. Highlight for me, 'How's Your House' sing along and Christmas ditty. Loved all the tempo changes and segues. You really know how to keep thing interesting!!' So, how was Neil?

Ron Etter: 'Any plans for SH on Vinyl?' No, but England's (Jerkin Crocus) put a vinyl single out of 'When the World Was Round.'

Tracy: 'The show was wonderfully brilliant (can you actually say that?) I hope he does too.

Rikkie: fill this out for www.rocknrolluniverse.com Oh, awlright!

• Name: Ian Hunter Patterson.
• Age: Whatever you want.
• Favorite childhood memory - My grandma put her hand up and caught a bird in flight - I was still in the big pram.
• First Musical Influence: Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard.
• First Musical Instrument and what do you play now? Mouth organ first. Now, Guitar, bass and keyboards.
• Your favorite hobby growing up? Art.
• The worst thing you did as a teenager? Not telling.
• Your first gig ever as a musician? I think it was the White Hart in Northampton, England.
• Your worst live performance live ever? MTH Radio City Music Hall.
• Worst tour bus or road story? We had a bus driver with absolutely no sense of direction.
• Your favorite places to perform? Doesn't really bother me.
• Name a few of your fav albums. Astral Weeks, Blonde on Blonde, Jesse Winchester - anything by the Stones.
• What do you like to do other than music? That's my business.
• Favorite food and drink? For taste buds only - Indian and a drop of bubbly.
• Movies: I liked 'Perfume' and 'Amazing Grace' - recently. TV shows - 'Seinfeld' and 'My Family' (English). Mostly crap, isn't it.
• Do you have any pets? We have a cat. We would love to have a dog again, but not until we stop moving about so much.
• People you'd most like to meet? Dead ones.
• What's the best band you ever saw in concert? I don't know.
• What's the last thing you bought? A jacket on sale for $35.
• What's on your CD player right now? Somebody's demo.
• What have you been up to lately? Bit o' this - bit o' that.

Stay tuned for Part 2 ...