Welshy: I don't use software for demos. Andy pops round with a digital tape recorder. For me - I'm still cassette-ing!

Ed: 'Do you always write from personal experience? How do you feel about personal songs being covered?' 1) Not always personal - sometimes it just sounds right to me. I've written songs, I've not known what they were about, especially early on - until much later. Sometimes you've got to improvise a little if you have a great chord sequence or melody line and nothing's coming naturally. There's always an element of truth in there somewhere. 2) I have no problem with any of my songs being covered if they're heartfelt covers. They don't have to be that good as long as the mean it.

Staale: Hi back.

M G Driver: 'Your cars?' Actually, I zot around in a Mini-Cooper and the wife has a Merc. Not a car man - just like to get from A to B in one piece.

Frederic: Noted and passed.

Richard Rimmer: 'Any chance of a 'Short Back 'n' Sides' reissue. Right now they're $75 - $100 - and that's not in my budget.' Originally, this was a Chrysalis record. Sooner or later, someone is going to license it out. It's not mine, so we just have to wait and see. There's a good chance it will happen.

Pat: 'Did you watch the 'Honeymooners Marathon' on New year's?' (I know 'em all by heart.) Norton: 'Do you mind if I smoke?' Ralph: 'I don't care if you burn.' PRICELESS.

Drew Cantrell: 'Bought an autographed SH cd from yep Roc - probably the closest I'll ever come.' Aw - don't say that.

Carlo Mathews: Not much in the archives that I know of. We never had the money to piddle about. Most of us were 'on the clock' in those days.

I pause here because something's kind of on my mind. You lot say some wonderful things in your emails all the time and I don't print most of them because it's kind of embarrassing (in a good way); but it does go in and I do appreciate the sincerity and intensity. Makes me feel good!

John Wyllie: 'My 14 year old loves you and Ronno - and so does his music teachers!' Can't be bad. 'Any tips or advice?' Desire.

Paul Kennett: 'Bumped into Stan yesterday - expect a call!!' He's just pissed because Hereford are languishing whilst Shrewsbury Town just walloped somebody (was it Gillingham?) 7 - 0. Historic.

Mike Bunyard wants the working title for the 2009 cd. OK - you heard it here, first. I think we're calling it - oops, just forgot it. I'm tempted, but it's a bit early. Maybe after it's done.

John (Indiana): Oh, he's a bit silly at times, but he's a good man.

Greg Varlesi: 'Detroit?' I'll be back.

Ray Waters: You know, I really don't think that way. Whenever tours come up, I go with my gut and that's about it. I do lots of the old stuff at times (just did), but it has to fall naturally, and suit the whole of the set. Say hi to Phal.

Roger: I don't work like that, Roger.

Kevin: Professional (Americal) football starts today - do you watch (no, it's full of commercials). Who's your fave team?' I'll see how the Giants and the Jets do, but I'm not a particular fan.

John Clark: When I was a kid in Northampton, there was a ballroom up above the billiard hall. It was run by Irish people and they asked me to book a few bands for them. I told them to get Neil Christian and the Crusaders (Jimmy Page aged 15 was the guitar player). Sutch and the Savages - and Johnny Kid and the Pirates (Mickey Green on guitar). I met Johnny (his real name was Fred - he was a painter and decorator). He told me he'd sent demos of his songs, including 'Shakin' All Over' to a group called the Bachelors. They put 'Shakin' All Over' out as a single - nothing happened, so they put Johnny's demo out and it was number 1 for around 8 or 9 weeks. Sadly the Irish guys said they weren't making much money on rock so they went back to what ever it was they did before. For Northampton rock kids, they were three nights never to be forgotten. Actually, there were four - I forgot - I booked Tommy Bruce and the Bruisers as well.

Al Maddox: Thanks, Al. Be well!!!

Christian Oster: 'When will we see you in Sweden - we miss you!!' If we can work the logistics out, Sweden's on the list.

Francis L: Yes, there's yet another movie coming out, 'Stone of Destiny' and I believe they are using 'Roll Away the Stone'. 'Wash Us Away' would be nearer to 'Knees of My Heart' (the life cycle).

Andy Sibson: 'A friend of mine gave me an edit of 'Bastard' which he downloaded from a website which shares electronics and dance tracks. I've no idea who produced it and don't believe it's been widely circulated. It was labeled as 'Bastard' by Mott the Hoople (!) It's called 'Bastard' (AM01 Edit). Have you heard it?' No. 'Are you interested to hear it?' No, but thanks for the info, Andy.

Big Licks: ' 'All of the Good Ones Are Taken' on sale from Big Beat Records on Amazon. Get it while you can.'

Dave Griffiths, MBE: Thanks for the effort, Dave.

Steve Baratta: Ralpher came up with that particular line.

Mike Pecucci: 'House on Fire - you only have time to grab five albums - what would they be?' If the house were on fire (and it was once) it wouldn't be albums that I grab. Oh go on then: 'Astral Weeks', Leon Russell's first, Little Richard's greatest Hits, Any Bob album and 'Abby Road'. Actually, I'd have to grab a Stones record too.

Hope Campbell: Congratulations, you naughty girl!

John O'Rourke: It'll probably be around that time, but it's still too early to say.

Terry Ferguson: 'The wife's converted!!' I'm so glad - it makes things so much easier.

Phillip C.: Rick Derringer had all his gear nicked, so Iggy, the Winter Brothers, me and a few others did a gig at the Palace to buy him some amps. Long time ago.

Willie fae tax free Scotland! Am I no to auld for au this fun and frivolity?

Carmela: Glad you're so busy! I want to play Toronto - it's just getting up there and routing it with a tour - logistics and all that.

Janet: 'Is it true? Is MTH getting back for a 40th Reunion? 40 years - good grief. I would come home from Australia for that.' Food for thought.

Bobby Balloch: 'If Mott reform, I promise to donate 500 pounds to the Marie Curie Cancer charity here in Glasgow. Go on - do it - there's unfinished business there.'

Rick Graves: 'Nearly a year, getting the itch for an IH show. Any Midwest shows for 2009?' It's early days, but I plan to be out there somewhere with the chaps.

Bucks: I'm staying out of this one. We know where we stand.

Verne: My sense of humour is up 'n' running (there's a title).

Scott McCrfumb had the weirdest dream - one that didn't include Pamela Anderson. 'New CD called 'Give Me Back My Wings' (Because you want airplay) with studio versions of 'BMBMW' and 'Twisted Steel' (portions of 'TS' to 9-11 as in 'How's Your House' New Orleans etc.). Hidden bonus track at end of cd. New version of 'No Wheels to Ride' featuring Willie on Kazoo and searing solo at the end by Bosch, York, Ralphs and Mastro. What do you think?' You had a weird dream.

Matt Nojonen: I'm a fan of the spring and fall.

David Torres: 'Any songs by other artists you wished you'd written?' Tons of 'em. The two that spring to mind, immediately, would be 'Addicted to Love' (the perfect rock song) and 'One Head Light' is another. It's a chord sequence I've used, but Jacob got it better. Nice lad.

Joe S.: Same players as on SH - release, hopefully, spring of 2009. Don't read it - but that's par for the course.

William Allan Werch: Never did drink the stuff. Must have been some sort of promo.

Miss P: You're welcome.

Dave P.: 'Over five quid a gallon.' I just paid $3.65. Never ends, does it? Rip Off; Rip Off; Rip Off……..

And with that I'll sign off - sign off - sign off. Think of me in the 20's of September - we'll be laying down tracks. Until next month.

IH

P.S. It doesn't happen often, but I get requests for signed CD's, photographs, autographs in the Horse's Mouth. We don't do that unless the circumstances are really extenuating. Sorry.