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Issue #50, Part 1 - February 15, 2005

Shaping up beautifully today - 50 degrees!

Carl flew up from Florida to the Stone Pony. I didn't play too many rockers. Some guy shouting 'C'mon Ian, rock this place.' (I think that happened in Farmingdale, too.) Well, rockers are only part of what I do. 'Keep doing it - we love it all.'

George Saadi saw me at Filthy McNasty's in Kent, Ohio and Jack Bruce was my bass player. Don't think so, George.

Graham Stark was not too happy with the band on Hootenanny. Says there was no 'bite' (a lot of them had the flu). Andy's touring with Mellencamp.

Fiona says I have to wear a kilt on the Scottish gigs but I can wear my knickers because I'm only half Scottish!

Willie Ahnberg went to see Bob Dylan in Stockholm last year. Wound up backstage and saw Bob talking to Izzy Young (an older folk music hero). Willie (a doctor no less!) tells Bob he was nearly as good as Ian Hunter on this particular night. (Why?!) As Bob leaves, he passes Willie and turns round - smiles- and says, 'I'm younger than him.' (Blast, it's true). So, I know what to expect when I run into Willie in Stockholm - 'You were nearly as good as Bob….'

Amish Bob enjoying MTH's 30th Anniversary CD. He says we played Harrisburg Farm Show Arena (I can still smell it) with Queen and Aerosmith opening.

Adam Ball: Record an album with Ralpher! Easier said than done.

Georgia Babe: Am I related to Country singer Jesse Hunter. Nope, although my youngest is a musician named Jesse too.

Huntergirl: Thanks for hangin' in. My favourite songs by: Stones: Don't know; too many. Maybe Brown Sugar. Beatles: Don't know; too many. I like Abbey Road Little Richard: The Girl Can't Help It. Bob Dylan: Too many - I love Mary Lee's version of 'Idiot Wind' Jerry Lee Lewis: Ballad of Billy Joe MTH: Don't know David Bowie: Life on Mars Mick Ronson: Blue Velvet Skirt Hunter/Ronson: Don't know Zepplin - Kashmir Aerosmith: Walk This Way

Matt Nojonen: Dements are dements - they can happen anywhere. The more, shall we say, unsubtle the music, the more unsubtle the fan.

Hope Campbell: Much more in keeping!

Tom Ross: The promoter is Dave Donner.

Pete Jordan has had a number of people tell him I was fab on Jools Holland because they know he's a fan. Well that's nice, Peter.

Seth Notes: Appreciated.

Mathew V: Hey, maybe I was born at the right time.

Hope (Part II): I'm sorry I'm making Renee cry, but that's part of what I'm for. Cleansing.

Ron White: Did I ever work with Roy Harper? Nope, but Ronno was a huge fan of Roy's. Even sang like him.

Bob: Come to Tampa!

Hope (part III): Go to bed.

Allan: Come to Philly.

Janet Mitchell: English shows start on May 11th in Liverpool.

Marty G: The so called 'drug incident' in Central Park. All that happened was that Buffin found prune juice for the first time and immediately drank two bottles of it (he liked it so much.) With his butt cemented to the bog - I had to inform a fair few thousand booing fans we wouldn't be performing as Buff had OD'd on PRUNE JUICE. By the time the news reached Detroit, buff had OD'd and was dead. Typical media B.S. (but fun.)

Andy Baker: Have I ever considered re-recording pre-MTH stuff? Well, that was then and this is now, Andy.

Ole: Do I get bored with the Horse's Mouth? Well, I do a bit, but I can't think up any alternative, so we keep doing it. Actually, interesting stuff does emerge now and again so I'm not that bothered.

Edward: I mentioned the cheapest albums I'd done were the best ones. Why not record at home? Now that would be boring!

Mike Reid: Happy to see me on Hootenanny. 1) How did it come about? They asked me. 2) Who - of the other acts, impressed me the most? Well, when I wasn't actually doing it I met a lot of other people so I didn't get to see it all. Everybody seemed great to me at their own respective things. That's what Jools is all about - isn't it? He seems to like to mix it up. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. P.S. Get Mavis Staples CD - It's great.

Lizzy Grey: 'Spiders and Snakes' have a new album through Cleopatra Records in the U.S. and Cargo in the U.K. Heavy MTH influence on all songs apparently. Lizzie played with Nigel Benjamin back in the 70's. Good luck with it, Lizzie.

Mike Riley: How's my voice holding up? So far, so good.

Joe Queen is taking his son to Glasgow. Says Jool's show was great.

Jeffrey Stanke: I was thinking of you, Jeffrey! It's a gorgeous day today. Even the cat went outside. He talks of the Arabians in the Hunter Towers Stable, says Kenny Rogers owns 40 of them. Where do you think I nicked them from?

Dave Ings: Have I ever considered co-writing with Paul Hyde (the Payolas)? Well, Paul's over there and I'm over here. He's good. Have I ever considered a manager situation? Not really, they make you do things you don't want to do.

Steven Myles: 'Loved the Jools Holland show - wife convinced you've had a face lift.' Nah! What's the matter with women these days! All they do is sit in front of the telly and say, 'He's had one; she's definitely had one…' No - the make up artist was great the sets were great. You'll see I'm an old chap when we hit the clubs and I don't really care to tell you the truth.

Arfar wants us to include Hootenanny on the new DVD. Easier said than done.

John Caswell: Has MTH been considered for H.O.F.? Don't know.

Tom Guerro: It is a long shot at the moment. I'm rehearsing for three different things. Hope it's going OK.

Bill Maxwell has a quote from a guitar magazine (which one?) where they asked Paul McCartney who his favourite guitar player was and Paul said Mick Ronson. He also said he wished he could have met him when he was alive.

Paul Abbott: I never recorded anything with the Maltese Cross. Strictly a photo op thingy.

Andy Caren: You can't go wrong with Equis. I'll be there!

Rick from TR says I thanked the audience 'from the knees of my heart' on a BBC live recording years ago. Well, it may have been rattling around in there; who knows.

Stefan Carisson's oldest daughter loves, Rant. Come to Sweden! I think we might just do that.

Brent (Atlantic) finally found a videotape of 'Fridays' October 1980 performance (Ronno, Ellen Foley and the Welcome to the Club Band). Says it's fab.

Dave Powell has been 'hovering' MTH and HR stuff onto CD format. What guitars do I use now? Rainsong acoustic, Les Paul Junior electric. Bristol's good.

Alan Keinch: No Aylesbury this time, sorry. Blame Stopps.

Dan Lellek: 'Anywhere close to Montana would be fine.'

Larry Butti: Any preferences as to where I play? Well, it's common knowledge I like clubs; always did. I like one on one. Don't know why - I just do. Seated or unseated is fine with me. I know some people prefer seated venues now as we're all getting on but then there's the younger lot who prefer the freedom of movement. I'm easy. 'Get Ralpher across the pond!' Well, Mick's a notoriously bad flyer, so I don't think that will happen in the foreseeable future.

Thommkatt: 'Clearchannel has destroyed Houston radio.' Why is it nobody can do anything about this?

Paul Dorman: Vegas show is at a club called 'Live'. It should be posted on the web by now.

Tony Barbalace says he lives in Trenton, NJ. Knows Earny White who had a band Aviator - did I produce their album? No.

Andy Groom: 'What a strange 48 hours. Picked up a couple of your albums on CD and instantly remembered every song. Last time I listened to them was on vinyl! Saw you on Jools at the New Year and am now bombarded (blush) with questions from folk far too young to know who IH is and why they didn't know. They bloody well know now.' Andy lives in Corby (used to play a working mans club there in the '60's with Freddie Fingers Lee).

Peter Georg: Actually, we might pop up to Denmark this year. It's not certain yet, but it's a possibility.

Colin Jeffery: Hootenanny 'absolutely amazing'. Says he's only been impressed twice in the last 40 years. Once in '64 by Gerry Marsden and once with Little Richard. I come third!

Howard Chapman: 'Going to Joe's Pub - can you do 'Ships'? Don't know. Right in the middle of sorting out that set at this moment.

Wyatt loved Cleveland. Were Weird and Gilly there? Always.

Jim McConnell loved Jools Holland's show. Did I enjoy it? Yep; it was fun. Did I chat with Eric? A little bit. Did I chat with any others? Yes. Mavis and me get on like a house on fire. I'm a big fan of Paul Carrack. Franz Ferdinand were very nice lads, but there was a lot going on.

Stevievee: 'What do you think of Rod Stewart doing Berkeley square on Parkinson? Don't know; never saw it.

Rich: Birmingham next tour? Dudley, Robin Hood II and hurry up it's selling fast.

Kenny: Come to Houston! (Likes, Welcome to the Club).

Carolyn: Michigan 2005? Don't know yet.

Matt Nojonen: 'Strings Attached' is so somber.' Well, that's because you're playing it against MTH's 30th Anniversary Album! I want you to know there's two sides to me and I want to play both sides - not just the one. 'Was there generally a lot of rowdiness when you played on stage or was the Zep battle out of the ordinary? Well, the Zep thing was odd because it was in fact - Zep (I should say Robert Plant and I kept out of that one). There were, however, numerous occasions when chaos ensued backstage as well as front. We were passionate as a band and sometimes the PA's weren't what they should have been etc. 'Anyone consider whacking Peter Grant on the head with a guitar?' Well, Peter was not really involved in this one and did indeed apologize afterwards to me. As for bashing him - not if you wanted to live!

Dennis loved B.B.'s (what a night). 'Jack the Mechanic and Andy York blew me away.' Dennis has been drug and alcohol free now for eight years.' What a pleasure to remember the gig the next day.' Loves 'Strings'.

Geff Ratcheson: Any chance of Seattle? Not at the moment. Says it's a travesty Ronno isn't in the HOF. Well, he's in mine and I know better.

Ray: London? May 27th at the Astoria.

Pee Jay: U.K.! Different songs - new songs? Don't know yet. Mick Ralphs? Well, Mick's got some sorting out to do plus the flying in Europe before hand. He may sit this year out. 'Which Champers?' M+S Rose is good. 'Do I have a sports car? No, I had a convertible - Jesse totaled it. 'Will you play Bastard?' How does that go? 'Why Leeds Irish Centre?' Tradition. 'What is the most you ever paid for a guitar?' Don't know. Live Astoria is DVD 5.1.

Joe Pic: You never know Joe, until the night.

Ziggy Rokita: Play 'Resurrection Mary' on UK shows. 'Can't see you popping round to Howard Jones' or Greg Lake's for a cuppa.' Actually I found them both to be sterling fellows.

Kevin from Belfast says I was superb on Jonathan Ross. That's back a ways.

Paul McDonnell: Play Whelan's in Dublin!

Billy Oblivion: See William, it's your mind.

Joe: Very happy about LA gigs. 'Do, Knees of My Heart'.

Dan Sutton: 'Strings' DVD and CD both great. Saw us in Detroit (2 hours 40 minutes). Come back. As he entered the gig he got a call saying his uncle had died. We played 'Rest In Peace' and somehow that made the evening OK. 'Great show - thanks'.

Phil Huband: Yes, it was Cameron Crowe. He did his very first interview with us on the roof of the Hyatt in LA and he was good.

John Von Reine: What a nice gesture, but everything's fine in that department so to speak. I'll pass what you said on.

Bob Bythrow: 'Come to Florida!' I'd love to!

Willie of Glasgow: Going to Worthen! Into the heart of the enemy! I never thought I'd see the day.

Lucy Piller: Which shows will Mick Ralphs be appearing at? I can't see Mick doing it this year. He's got stuff to sort out and it's taking longer than originally thought. I love Mick and I know he loves me but sometimes it doesn't work out. That's not to say we won't be doing it again. It's just a little difficult at the moment.

Hello Sue! See you at the Robin Hood.

Bill C : 'Hey Ian - come and shovel my driveway!' Actually, when Rick and Stef Tedesco lived at their old house he never shoveled his driveway, so I picked up a shovel one day and got to it. Rick stood there watching. I said, 'Rick, c'mon get a shovel.' Rick said, 'I can't effin believe it - Ian Hunter's shoveling my driveway!' Somebody's got to do it.

Kate Fletcher: Hey Roger! Happy 50th Birthday from all at Hunter Towers.

Richard Gault: Nothing in San Diego, sorry.

Pee Jay says I've influenced a lot of bands in the UK. 'Try listening to Graham Coxon and the Others.' Haven't heard them as of yet, so I don't know.

Ralph Cohen: Am I supporting Erasure on their next tour? Nothing that I know about.

Alexander Falk: Did I write Marionette? Yes.

Barry S is telling me what to play in California!

Robert Roe: 'Is there anywhere on the web where U.S. fans can see the Jools Holland show? I don't know, but I heard something about getting it on BBC2.

Eddie Grice enjoyed Jools Holland's show; any UK gigs in 2005? Yes, there's quite few. I think Justin's already posted most of them.

Bryn Paterson: Would I contemplate supporting another act to broaden my fan base? It all depends if I respect that act.

Hope Campbell: No bells are ringing.

Dave Watts: Jools great. Was it recorded? Er … I can't remember …

Geoff Symonds: Vegas in Mid August? Too hot.

Rob Overman was excited about San Fran. Glad you were, but it is not to be. When promoters learn what to book; they're as bad as radio sometimes.

Paul has a band called RANT and are starting to get a bit of a following. Is there a conflict? Well, I've used the Rant Band since 2001 when the record came out, however, my name's stuck on top of it so I don't see a major problem - your name's Paul.

Bob Kleb: I watched Tim Howard when he was with the Metro stars. Great goalie. 'What's a good time for I.H. - morning or night? I like the evening. Not too good at mornings. Never seen one.

Ryan Packer: Come to Philly. Actually, I think we are.

Dean: Not doing San Francisco. I think the promoter got me mixed up with somebody else. Some glam, fading rock chap. Oh, well.

Horse's Mouth #50, Part 2 will follow shortly ...