Just back from Barbados; my youngest - Jesse - married the beautiful Karen on the beach there. There were 30 of us all together including Steve, Jones, Tracie and my three grandsons. I don't do holidays much, but this was special. Unfortunately, I am ginger - so I go bright red quickly. It was a case of running from shade to pool. My bottom didn't stop wiggling to reggae all the time I was there, and I even wrote one.

Michael Wolf: Yup - I think we're doing an acoustic show in Milwaukee in September and then we are onto Chicago for two more. Watch the gig guide on this site for confirmation and details. Boston is looking like a distinct possibility now as well.

Joe S.: Well, it's the whole twin towers relief - Trudi had a cousin who lost her life. I think this meant a hell of a lot to a lot of people. 'Winning' and 'losing' does seem to have a lot of significance in the States, but in this instance I whole heartedly sympathize with them. It also gives lie to the Republican 'timid' Obama theory; it took some balls. It was estimated the chances of Bin Laden actually being in the compound was around 60%. Imagine the furor if he hadn't have been there.

Jeff Stanke: 'If you're wondering where spring went, blame the Icelandic volcano.' It was great for a fortnight; the heat is supposed to ease off tomorrow.

Matt Parrish was watching the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert - asks what I said to David just after 'Dudes'? Can't divulge that - but it wasn't negative.

Roland: 'May and no Hunter tour. Great weather for driving - seeing Hoboken U-tube makes me jealous. Wish you were here. When are you back?' Perhaps sometime next year.

Jeff Scott: 'Any chance of hearing new music at the Winery?' The problem is if I do that it'll be on the web the following day. I was more thinking of doing older ones I haven't touched before.

Janet: 'Did you select the art for your first solo album?' I had loved the artwork on the first MTH album and told Roslov Zabo (the art director at CBS) to experiment with another Escher. I liked what he came up with and that was it. 'Do you think not being uber-universal is a blessing?' Yes, and I've said this many times. I don't have the mental capacity for the stupidity involved.

Ori Spiegel: 'Did you ever play with Ian Dury?' Not that I can remember. I met him a couple of times; extremely nice man.

Ed wants 'Boy' in Phoenixville, PA. Wait for a gap in the proceedings and then shout for it rather loudly - you never know.

Hal Bogerd: Can you send a web site address for a preview?

G. Mick Smith PhD: You can contact Trudi through Justin (webmaster@ianhunter.com) or P.O. Box 245, Bridgewater, CT 06752.

Dennis: 'Any plans for Ohio - when are you going back into the studio?' We're working on Cleveland - people know I love to play there. I really want to do Detroit as well. I'm hoping it'll work out. As for recording - I'm hoping for winter this year.

Judd Levison: 'Missed all the West Coast gigs. Will you be back in 2012?' We'll try. 'Thanks for indulging me at Austin Airport after SXSW. Your comment was (turning to the band) 'see fellas - get 'em when they're 13 and you got 'em for life.' 14 actually.

Seth Purvin: 'What does it mean in 23A 'You would be a ruin if looks could kill'?' Just what it says. 'Are you surprised Brett Gardner ended up a starter?' Do you know, I was daft about baseball for ten years and then I just went off it. I don't watch much any more - and even football (along with Indian food and sausage and chips) is losing its allure. I don't know what's happening to me! Sense? Surely not! So - no - I'm not surprised Brett's a starter - jolly good luck to him!

Chris Nelson: I'm actually working on a song at the moment about Crazy Horse. Don't know if it will make it as its early days.

Tom L: It'll be electric at Phoenixville.

Christine: Welcome aboard.

Caroline May: 'Have you read any of Barak Obama's books?' No - I don't have to - I know decency when I see it. C.M. loves 'Bluebirds' and 'Wings'; she's got good taste.

Cindy: 'We travelled thousands of kilometers to see you at the Fillmore (which was awesome) and now we're going to the Winery in NYC. This time we're bringing two other couples with us. Can't wait! No pressure, but Glenn and I were getting married this September and decided to see your show instead (15th + 16th)' Well,…..enjoy!!

Kevin (Newcastle): 'Went to see Joe Elliott's Down 'n' Outz supporting PR - excellent!!! They do IH and Mott covers brilliantly. I know it's a bugger getting older, but it's a pleasure to have lived through the MTH and IH era.' Nice one.

Gary Aston: 'Coming over from the UK in September. Coming to the Winery on the 15th. What I need to know - do I turn up in my smart gear or am I OK in my Down 'n' Outz T-shirt? Hey - thanks for coming - wear anything you want!

Andrew Oji: 'Did 'Irene Wilde' actually exist or is she fictional? Did you ever come across her once you found fame?' Irene did and does exist. She married and had twins before I was well known. I never met her again, but I was told she liked the song.

Paul Tyke: 'Just came across 'Avalanche' from 'The Journey' collection. Great song. When was it recorded - and why didn't you put it on one of your regular albums? Have you preformed it live?' 'Avalanche' is one of a few songs I recorded with Rick Tedesco in the late 90's. I met Andy York in 2000 - and took a different tack with 'Rant'. Sometimes songs fall between the tracks. It's just a matter of timing and what suits a specific record. Never have done it live.

Dee Byrne: Be well!!

Liz: I can't remember much about the URIS puppets. I do remember they were large and you did have to be careful round them and the people who were maneuvering them. There was a small bird too, that 'floated' and sat on my front monitor. The puppets on Buff's kit were vacuum cleaners in reverse - their heads would explode. Roger Ruskin Spear from the Bonzo Doo Dah Band created them. All this and a spot of Quad as well. Not too shabby for its time. By the way - drive a Mini.

James Ovard: 'Is there any possibility of a reunion?' There's always a possibility. 'Are you writing any more rockers for your next album?' Yup.

Geoff Bryant: 'Any news of the recording made of the Union Chapel gig?' My attorney, Josh Grier, completed the contracts; it's up to the other side now.

Seth Purvin: 'I went back to May of 2000 and started reading the Horse's Mouth from the beginning. I can't tell you how interesting your take on things was. Back then it was half 'The world according to Ian, and half questions. I know time is tight and it's probably a pain in the ass at times, but a paragraph or 3 by you every other Horse's Mouth would be a good read.' I only react tot what I'm asked. This has been going for a long time, so the questions inevitable repeat themselves or become 'obvious'. It also depends on what I'm doing. If I'm writing - then that's what is occupying my mind - so nothing really exciting is going on. It's a solitary occupation and can be frustrating, tedious, and boring and there's a deal of self discipline involved - which doesn't get any easier as one ages and the process goes round yet again. So there!

Richie Cornacchio: 'Who would you pick to play you in a biopic of your life - young Ian - adult Ian - senior Ian?' A young Michael Cain, an adult Michael Cain and a senior Michael Cain. 'What songs would roll through the opening and closing credits?' Haven't written them yet.

Verne: 'Just watched 'All of the Good Ones' on U-tube. I don't mind smoking, drinking and loose women in a video, but showing a grown man standing up in a row boat?!! What kind of an example is this for kids?' Well, actually, they're was a radio in the boat so I could lip sync to the track - the butler was a 'bit heavy' so the boat was slowly sinking. I had to stand up……and the radio was going under - it was a fight against time!!!

Matt Parish: 'A Ballad of MTH release party?' Who's paying?

Gerry Moyles; 'Any chance of you getting up with D.L. this summer?' Nah.

Jeffrey Zazbar: 'Need to see you in Milwaukee 'n' surrounding area.' There are three acoustic shows coming - two in Chicago and one in Milwaukee. Watch this site.

Tony Day: Biggest gig would be the Freddie Mercury Memorial Concert. 72,000 live - and a half BILLION viewers worldwide.

Steve: 'Toronto?' Nothing at the moment.

John Macko: I remember the name Chip Monck. I don't remember the show, but it sounds like we were talking about decibels. I wrote a song about decibels - 'Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll'.

J. Scott Strawn: Yeah, Lisa's great (Mick Ronson's daughter). We still see a lot of Lisa. Lisa and her Mom were just in Barbados with us. Lisa's rather red as is Tracie at the moment. Thanks in advance!

Susane Stanton: Hello Dave: The Prowlers eh? Those were the days - absolutely crazy. Remember the Mambo Schenks? I've been back a couple of times. I think the old Star Club is a bank now; all cleaned up and boring!! Fred's still going I believe - as is Roy Young. I can see the swaying lanterns - Tony Sheridan - as if it was yesterday. Powerful stuff! Be well!!

Erik H: Noted. Let me think about it and write again when you are in the middle of it.

Kevin: 'How many instruments do you actually play?' Keyboards, bass, rhythm guitar, harp - that's about it. I can 'hear' drums but I can't play them well.'

Dan Hartman: Always thought the sax solo on 'Memphis' was strange. Mick (Ronson) probably just did it and we left it at that. The medley on the live album would have been a cooperative effort.

Fred Heijser: UK in 2011? We'll wait until perhaps next year.

Stefan Harary: Noted.

Rich Whalen: 'Any special guests at the Winery?' Glen Matlock is probably opening the first two, and Tracie is opening the second two.

Bill C: 'This note is pointless - the world ends at 6PM today. Oh look - it's stopped raining.' Love it.

Peter Mills: 'James Blunt played here in Melbourne, Australia last night and my highlight of the night was the sound guy playing 'Memphis' and AC/DC before the band came on.'

Jay Tapp: Nope - all East Coast.

Kevin Perry: Thank you, Kevin.

Pat: 'Somebody mentioned in the last Horse's Mouth that your guitar player (Bosch?) was arrogant on stage. First of all, he is an excellent player and second of all (to me) he always looks like he really loves playing your music; he always seems really into it. He also looks great. It's like who cared if Mick Taylor never moved on stage - he was brilliant!!

Joe: 'Your shows at My Father's Place, one of which with was with Ellen Foley and Mick Ronson - was one of the greatest Rock 'n' Roll shows ever. I don't say this lightly having seen hundreds of shows at the Fillmore East etc. Did you love the band? The music was terrific. P.S. I was in the military; MTH kept me sane.' Yes it was a good band. There was a lot of us, but we were pretty much mates so everything was pretty smooth. Glad we kept you sane!

Beth Khoury: Have a great time, Beth.

Mark F: 'Did you ever do advertising jingles?' Never did.

Matt Parish: 'Will there be a meet and greet at the Winery?' Nothing is set as I'm singing quite a lot in September. I tend to go straight from stage to the hotel to save the vocals for the following night. With me, the gig always comes first. That's not to say we won't bump into each other. You never know. Hey - shout it out - doesn't bother me!

Bob Barnes: How nice of you Bob. Good luck with it and thanks.

Bart: 'Your duet with Genya Raven on 'Junkman' was one of the best I have ever heard! Simply perfect. I would love to hear a duet album from you. Any thoughts?' I have never fancied that. Tracie's just done 'Junkman' (incidentally, a great song) with Joe Elliott taking my part and I'm on the back end with Rick Tedesco. It really is a great track and Phil from Def Leppard is helping out on the solo. She's done a great job on this. She's just now trying to figure out the best way to put it out.

Pat: I thought ticket prices should be reasonable owing to the fact that a lot of people travel and it's expensive these days.

Jeffrey: Wish me, Happy Birthday. Ta.

Caroline: Happy Birthday.' Ta.

Keith Nickless: 'Happy Birthday.' Ta

It's 90 degrees outside and we have no kitchen. I wonder if she'd mind if I turned it into a studio?

Be good and well.

Donald and Sarah for 2012 !!! Heaven help us.

IH
The Horse's Mouth