Oer Wullie: Actually, the three-date thing you mention is in the works - but it's not for this year. PS. I was only joking - I would buy a kazoo from you - honest.

Francis L: 'Will the Ranters, or any members of the firm be part of a support band?' Andy and James were thinking of popping over, but no members of the Rant Band are slated to play. 'Do you anticipate special guests?' Too early to say. 'Has the Aspen Writers Foundation and or Belly Up contacted you regarding The Lyrical Speaking Series of 2009?' Never heard of them and they've probably never heard of me! (three out of five ain't bad)

David Hancox: Thanks, David.

Mickey Boyle: Thanks, Mickey

John LeConte hopes we do 'Road to Birmingham' in October. Actually, I looked at that for the acoustic tour, but it lost out.

Stephen (KC): I've never felt the need to either change or update a song or a song lyric. For me, I searched enough when the song was originally written. I get your point. I would if I though it relevant, but I never have.

Brett Burch: That's an awfully long shot, Brett. Wouldn't get your hopes up.

Bob Swanson wants Pay per view!!! I've no idea how that works. If it comes up - I'll let you know.

Jan Labee: Sorry, no autographs through this medium.

Janey Todd: No don't. I'm serious. I don't want to see 50-60 somethings glammed up! 'You're still gorgeous - give 'em a little glam - right Tru?' No way in hell. And you need a new pair of glasses!

Patrick: 'I'm French - what does 'Dude' mean?' I think a dude is a person who's on the cutting edge of everything hip. Not that we were, but the song was.

Alan Keinch: 'Any chance of a reunion?' Ghandi's dead.

S.B. 'Don't know about a MTH reunion. Those were special times. Created a new Rock Opera on Ronno at http://geocities.com/steven.bove@sbcglobal.net/rock_Opera_02.html. Enjoy.'

Edward: 'Did you ever work with or meet Randy Newman?' No, but he's a great writer.

Frej: 'How did you become a musician in the very beginning?' In the very beginning, I was playing harmonica in a mouth organ band. My Uncle Jack gave me an old guitar and my fingers bled for a while as I learned the first chords. Second hand pianos were very cheap so I'd always have one or access to one. Slow process - became a semi pro player in different bands - and then the phone rang! Sweden's definitely on the map, but nothing confirmed at the moment.

Rick Graves: 'Itching for an IH tour. I guess MTH will have to do. Wife and I are going Friday and Saturday. All the way from Indiana.'

Jeff Stengel: 'Would you say 'Never Alone' your tightest album?' Haven't heard it in years, but the flow was pretty good as I remember.

Barry Faulk: 'Who's idea was Max Wall on the Circus Tour?' It was a no-brainer really. Everybody in the band loved him and Island Records found him in Jersey. He needed a little extra persuasion, so I went to Jersey and he met me at the airport. We had a long chat and I convinced him to do it. Max had a sad side, but we never saw it - we loved every minute of him. He would sit right next to the speakers at the sound checks. Totally into it. He didn't go down that well up North, but he was shooting on all cylinders by the time we got to Guildford. I saw people literally falling off their seats. I can't remember who's idea the actual tour was. Probably everybody's. The Stones circus tour had nothing to do with it.

Neil Jeffries: See Neil - I told you we were nice guys. Nice one.

Tim Spitz: Hello young Spitz. How are you?

Ed: 'Do you like any of the new artists today?' Not many. 'Is the spirit still alive in Rock 'n' Roll?' Within young peoples' hearts it is - within Rock 'n' Roll Bands it is. Within Business Affairs it definitely is not. Then there's you lot and me!

Nigel Allan: Good idea, Nigel - I'll pass it on.

Derek Sargeant: Camouflage mate - it's all camouflage.

Marty G: 'Any plans for the Rant Band this spring with the new album?' Like I said before - we've only just inked the contract, so all this forthcoming stuff is still - forthcoming! I'll let you know as we go along. Obviously, the economy is a major factor. I just don't know right now.

Wullie: 'Have you thought of showcasing a different MTH album each night? If we can get through one of them I'll be happy.

Dee Byrne - all systems go!

Adam Hammond: 'For the first time in my life I'm worried about dying - and if I die (before October 1) I'll be well pissed off!!' Me too, mate.

Mike Waxman: We'll have to think about that one.

John Mikota: Excited but miffed there's no U.S. tour.

Kev Hilier: 'Spike Milligen had 'I told you I was Ill' on his gravestone. What would you like on yours?' Cheerful bugger, aren't you, Kev?

Mike Mendola: Perhaps at the next IH gig.

Bob Barnes: How are you, Bob? Hope you enjoy.

Susan Vorhies: Three stooges it was.

Irina/Russia: Play Moscow! (almost kidding). As for SB n S - you're going too far back for my memory. I do remember doing 'Day Tripper' - that was a fluke we did for fun at my apartment in NY. Mick started that slow groove and I was instantly into it.

Kirk: Pete says I smashed mine somewhere. I don't know if he's still got his.

Vilma Gregoropolous: No, it's long gone - but you do get those nights when everything clicks now and again. Glad you saw one of them.

Francesco Pascoletti/Rome: 'During my last trip to London I found ''Diary' in a chain Record shop. I notice you did a lot of pawn shopping. Where the hell did you put the gear?' It was a pain for the road crew - actually for Ritchie. Say hi to Rome - love that city.

Frank Ehnle: No filming planned as we speak.

Brent Rickels: No touring info at this time.

Peter: Popping over from the Middle East.

Jesse Addison: 'Asked my friend where he got the video of Mott at the Filmore and he said Buff gave it to him' Never gave me one. 'Tried to get tickets, but it's too crazy - and I live in London.'

Max: 'Will the DVD have viewing options?' What DVD?

Jack Pells: 'Favourite book of all time?' Dunno - I don't know how may books I've read and forgotten. There's a room full of the downstairs. Recently the McCulloch biog of John Adams was pretty amazing. Just finished 'Churchill'. Not a big fan of fiction. Way back when - Jack Kerouac's 'On the Road' hit a spot in time.

John Pottage: 'Mott the Hoople's heroic return to Hammersmith Odeon a quasi-religious experience. Reunions can be magic.'

Roger: 'I completely understand not touring with Mott, but at least give us a maybe for NY, Cleveland and LA.' Well, I never thought we'd do what we're doing -so you can never say never, but there truly are no plans for anything other than what we're doing right now. I don't have a crystal ball.

Bob Claayton: 'Stunned!'

Alan Kent/WA: Thanks for the info, but I'll probably use mine. That's what they're there for, right?

Paul Tyke tells us Mick Mitchell from Carlisle has sadly passed away. Mick was a Horse's Mouth regular. Our condolences go out to his nearest and dearest.

Alan Keinch: 'You're still hip over here. Terry Wogan just played, 'Roll Away the Stone' on Radio II. Could be worse - could have been Tony Blackburn ha ha. It's a lovely thing, radio. Pity what they do with it.

Tim Smith: 'Feels MTH was then and IH's next - now. Does this seem strange?' Not at all. Enjoy my next one and enjoy MTH as well. That's what I'm hoping to do.

Kim Fletcher: Talking about Honest John Plain and Casino Steele going down a storm in Thailand. They had 30,000 at one gig. Free gig, but they collected for Children in Need. 'Full of social graces - nice to anybody who wanted to talk to them.'

Dave Ramshaw: They're in the process of putting together the crew now. I think Phil, Ritchie and Nigel have put their road days far behind them - although they might join in the fun. Ritchie hasn't changed a bit in appearance - lucky chap. Sam may well be in the mix. Scoobie will be in there too, I hope.

Clyde Hartman: I haven't heard this version, but I'm assuming it's the one he did before offering the song to us (altos on the hooks?). I don't think he was totally happy with it - hence the offer.

Pitty: 'Frustrated guitarist - just made redundant (England's great, innit). Got any jobs going?' Believe me, you're not the only one. Heard the same story yesterday. The guy's good too. It's the same all over.

Janet is popping over from Sydney.

John Von Reine: No puffy shirts for me!!!

Karen: 'Been to your shows since I was 14. I snuck into Hammerheads in Hempstead, Long Island and I've been hooked ever since.' Naughty girl.

Patrick: 'Has any thought been given to a CD of the reunions?' Not to my knowledge.

Gary Sawruk: Where in NY are you likely to perform when your record comes out? Like I said, it's too early to say.

Done Done Done Done Done!!!!!

I'm boggle eyed - sorry about the ones I missed, but what with this MTH thing going on, the traffic is pretty heavy.

IH