Andy B: Joe Elliott had it made by a chap in Burnley. Beautiful - and it actually sounds ballsier than my Juniors. Joe gave it to me for my birthday. He's also had one made for himself.

Jeffrey: Lisa and Suzi joined us for Christmas this year along with Jess and Karen. Lisa and I were nattering (and imbibing) until 3 AM. I was on toast and water for five days afterwards. Clever girl. Just got her Masters - so we had to celebrate.

Tim Sommer: Have I ever considered forming a band with Mick Jones (Clash). Well - Mick's a non stop dynamo and he always loved Mott, but we're both a little long I the tooth to be 'starting over'. I'm a bit too lazy for Mick.

Matt likes Jay Z doing 'Empire State of Mind' with Alicia Keys. I heard about this and it's intriguing.

Janey Todd - Liked him, but he was no influence on me.

Tim Livingston: 'Just wanted to let you know, when asked by Upstate NY Arts and Entertainment site, Nippertown, my top ten albums of 2009 - 'Man Overboard' landed at #2.'

Irina: Same to you!

I've got to stop now. We went to two parties last night - another 3 AM job. First half at Andy and Liz York's; second half at Rick and Steff Tedesco's. Both great do's, but I'm a tad tired.

And on we go.

Chris Miller: ' 'Man Overboard' in Record Collectors 2009 top 10.' A single recorded with Miller Anderson ('To Make A Man Cry') is worth between 3 and 5 hundred pounds'.

Dean: 1) As I said above, the Maltese Cross is a replica, but is infinitely better than the original, which honestly, was only used 'for show'. 2) Why did the tone/volume knobs have tape on them?' I kept moving them with the lower side of my hand so they taped them solid.

Remmy: 'What's your favourite place to play a concert?' Hammersmith - Glasgow - Newcastle - Philly - Cleveland - anywhere there's blood. Liverpool - I could go on - all you do is piss people off if you miss them out. Really, all the audiences I play to are great. 'Do you have a favourite Christmas song?' I like 'I'm Getting' nuttin' for Christmas.'

Mark Hughes: Re: Joe Walsh - I've no idea. Goosebumped?!

Tripp Pair: On about Hammersmith.

Dee Byrne: Glad you enjoyed it.

Joe McGrath: 'Mott were amazing on October 1st - voice great. Now I can die in peace!! Aw shucks.

Paul Jamison: I'm doing Europe in late April/early May. Hoping to get in a couple of New York area shows prior to that.

Lee Ann: 'Why were you climbing into Ralpher's room through the window?' 'Cos his door was locked.

Walt converted solo vinyl to mp3 playing through the songs - 'and crackling with the sound of real life record scratches out came, 'Old Records Never die'…. …..wept - and you know, they never do!' Well - that's what that 's all about.

Steve Moore: 'What do you think to Dylan's Christmas record?' Haven't heard it.

Andy: 'I think it's so cool my two favourite singers both covered one of my favourite songs ('Nightingale'). Did you know Bobby Darin?' No, but what a talented man he was.

Bob Kleb: 'Hope you hit oil with your latest - it's phenomenal.' Thank you.

Mark F: 'Have you ever met or worked with Joe Jackson?' Yes, when he was out with Todd Rundgren. I was in Todd's dressing room and Joe came in. Pretty shy sort of chap. Brilliant artist. I've used Graham Maby (Joe's bass player) from time to time. Excellent bassist.

Pat: Always loved Jesse Winchester's first album, particularly 'Biloxi' and 'Silver Box' - beautiful voice.

David: My father was a Captain in the Scotts Guards (non-commissioned officer). I've no idea about the chap you mentioned.

Seth Purvin: 'Could you have written 'Rolling Stone'?' Maybe, I sure wish I had!!

Bucks Burnett: Good luck with it. Good fer you.

Geoff Pearson: I hadn't spoken to Buff since the early eighties; Pete the same. We all met once at a place we had in Worthing, but it came to nothing. You have to remember we parted on dodgy terms. Now we're up there - life is too short. It's all behind us - and we're exchanging Christmas cards!

JJT: Noted.

Pat: 'I only work for people that I know have the money to pay me. One day, I'll write the book - the truth. Then I'll go to the penitentiary.' Both Jerry Lee Lewis quotes.' Well - let's face it. He was a bit of a lad.

Per Bremnes: There is a possibility, but we haven't agreed on terms.

Felix: The lyrics on the packaging. Buy one!!

Yucca Flats: 'Love M.O. - play Boston soon!'

Dick: 'Will you ever tour Belgium again?' If it ties in geographically and financially on a Euro run - I'll be there!

Bill Milks: 'What keeps you going in this fickle business.' I'm not in this fickle business. I'm outside it. Best way.

Richie Cornacchio: I think 'Man Overboard' is in my top 5 all time IH songs. I have it on my ringtone (hope Verizon are paying you). It could have been my life, but I stopped 10 years ago (good lad). You have captured the helplessness of addiction perfectly in this song. Every time I hear it I'm reminded how grateful I am to have 'purged the demon' so to speak. I hope whoever you wrote it for found peace.' He found peace all right. He's dead.

Hannan: 'I just saw an AMEX ad that was using the intro to 'Rest In Peace' - quite literally. Hopefully, you're aware of this.' I can't remember if I'm aware of this, but I'll definitely pass it on. Thanks.

Chris Kelly: Ralpher taught me that one. You'd have to ask him. He's always tinkering with guitars. That's his hobby.

Paula Brown: I think we'll be doing two or three dates in England around the time of the European tour (late April early May). They're talking about a London date at the moment - as well as Edinburgh and Leicester. I'll let you know when we replace the pencil with the pen.

James Zemba: Wow - that's some good company I'm in. Appreciated.

Greg Wheeler: 'You're hitting on all cylinders.' That's a good one to finish on!

There was a load of Merry Christmases and Happy New Years and I'm still getting loads about Man Overboard and, of course. MTH. If I put them all in it gets a tad repetitive, but I really do appreciate the support (especially for M.O.)!

Happy New Year.

Don't desert Obama. He's doing unpopular stuff that nobody else on the hill has the balls to do. I for one, wish him well and I hope it doesn't wear him down. Amazing how a lot of this country doesn't get his decency. Apparently, decency is cool - till it comes to the buck.

Well - I'm off - till the next time.

Cheers for Chivers!

IH
The Horse's Mouth