What a New Year's Day - sunny and balmy!! I'm fine with this! Happy New Year to all our readers - read on.

Laurent on 'Hunterology': I do remember doing a horrid French TV show. It was a total mess. That was with a full band. I don't remember any videos of just Mick and me except the one we did of 'American Music', but this was much later.

Oyvind Kristofferson: 'Don't forget Oslo! It's been 5 years!' Is it that long? I love coming to Norway, so it's not my fault.

Liz K: I do have a 12 string, but it's a pain in the ass. Who knows? I may use it if the occasion demands. Going in on the 9th - wish us luck. That's P.O. Box 245, Bridgewater, CT 06752

Bob Chamenko would like a bit more of 'Overnight Angels' in the live show. I've thought about 'Silver Dime' - just thought! Bob's on WPKN in Bridgeport, CT. Nice one. Loved the Iron Horse.

Owen Kelley:'Why no Overend in the 'Ballad of MTH' DVD? Were those price tags hanging on his basses?' Pete hates the biz and tries to avoid it. He left the price tags on on purpose - that's Pete.

Steve Baratta - Thanks for the review link.

Roger: 'Have you or would you ever do a collaboration with Tracie? Sure, but it has to be the right song and a natural song we could both handle.

Jeffrey: There you go.

Ken Lucas: 'Happy Holidays' to you too.

Dan Paprocki: No ideas about sheet music, Dan. If you want to join a band start checking out gig where guys of your age are playing. Put yourself about a bit.

Mark F: 'How much were you paid on your first gig?' 50 cents. 11 cents more than Jimi Hendrix!

Craig: 'Ever been back to Graceland?' Nah - they're waiting for me.

OOr Wullie says it's going to be a big year for him. More power to you, my man!

Jeff Dhein's friend Dave Raeck turned Jeff onto my music years ago and passed recently. Jeff's doing a memorial jam for him; condolences to all concerned.

Grant: 'Any plans for Canada or the West Coast?' Well, we've go to do this record before we can figure that out. Hopefully later on in the year.

John in NM: I think we've all got a couple of sides to us. And I'm a Gemini too (if that matters!). You're never alone with moi.

Steve: Pissed off at the Hall of Fame. I'm not.

Edward Shirley: 'Have you got a dog?' Not at the moment. We've had fabulous dogs over the years, but it's a drag leaving them when we go away. When I retire we'll have a look. I know some great dogs, though.

Bob Barnes giving me some business info. Thanks Bob, as always.

Staale Einarsen has started playing 'Strings Attached' again after some years. 'How do you feel about it in hindsight?' It's great - every bit of it. It was done properly by great people. It was an honor and a thrill.

John says 'play the Strand in Lakewood, New Jersey' They have to ask my agent, Frank Riley at High Road Touring.

Alan: I'm elsewhere in March, but have a great gig!

Ash of Chelmsford: Play 'Great Expectations' in London next time.' There's one out of the garden shed.

Jay Tashjian: No problem.

David Cant: Not keen on boats (unless the money is exceptional!) A Scottish date is planned for October this year. Don't know where yet.

Alan (Kent) 'What piano did you have in the early days of MTH? It was an RMI which sounded good at the time. Had two or three as they used to fall over a lot. Broke a few toes under them. They're still around.

Mark Oakeshott would like us to put a studio version of 'Somewhere' on the new record. Says Chicago was brilliant. It's a thought, but as of now, it's not planned.

Big Bad Mike is rather miffed that we don't do Canada. It's not up to me Mike - it's up to the Canadian promoters.

Fiona: 'Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.' Same to you; it looks like it's Glasgow or Edinburgh next October.

Dan Hartman: The trumpets on 'Second Love' were done by the guy who was playing with the Stones at that time. I think it was Guy Stevens' idea. Mick wouldn't record 'Till I'm Gone' at the time. It was a great song and I campaigned for it, but the content of the song was still raw in Mick's mind, so he wouldn't do it.

Julian Richards: Contact Mick Brown.

Richie Comacchio: Been there quite a few times. Also Pete's English shop. Tracie was staying at Suzi Ronson's place which is near there, so she brought up pork pies at Christmas.

Manfred Koehler: 'Seasons Greetings.' And to you, too.

Larry Woodside: 'Seasons Greetings.' See you soon.

John Dalton: 'Your lyrics are a revelation.' Actually, I just finished the lyrics for the next record today. Hope they're alright. 'Do you offer them to movies/TV etc?' I've had movies and TV but it really is a crap shoot. Usually the director's daughter's boyfriend happens to be playing something and he picks up on it. It's all pretty fluky. Of course the more records you sell the more likelihood of a cover.

Bob Krouse: 'Any chance of a U.S. MTH reunion?' I've no idea. I don't think promoters would pay enough over here quite frankly. There was talk of it at the time, but that was then.

Adam Hammond wants missing words on 'Angeline'. Your blood flows like the finest (wine)…….A crystal colored cardboard (Queen)…….Attacked me from my (Plate)….And I think that I am going (mad) among the swollen (states). That do yuh?

Don Sherlock: 'Would you consider the Paramount in Huntington, Long Island. Sure.

John Dachik: I've had the pleasure of playing with Leslie West and Corky Lang way back when and I'd bump into Felix now and then (stunning bass player). We played with them (and Traffic) on our first U.S. tour. Simply put - they were incredible. I think (on the contrary) we had a lot in common.

John Dalton: 'Duets album?' Somebody would have to put that together for me! Doesn't really appeal.

Geordie: Mick played a Gibson Les Paul on 'American Music'.

VonLmo: 'Did MTH ask Roy Wood to produce?' Yup, and he chose the wrong one to turn down. He passed on the 'Mott' album.

Steve Baratta: Thanks for the stuff; haven't had time yet. When I write a song about a dog I'll let you know what the first line is.

Mike Walsh: Dunno.

Jeffrey Williams: 'When's the new one coming out?' Well we've got to do it and then look at the avenues available. That can take time. The sooner the better for me - I hate hanging about.

Michael: 'Come to Sheffield.' Well 0 if we don't make Sheffield it will be somewhere near.

Matt Giarrizzo: I'll have a look.

Alan Parry: 'I was at the Roxy in '79 (?) for the 'Welcome to the Club' shows and sat at a table with drunk as a skunk Jack Nicholson. Did you know he was there?' Yup. He was hanging out upstairs as well. I think he was mates wit the owner.

Shawn Adair: 'Saw you many years at many venues in Philadelphia. Last show at Havana - my God!' Blush.

Joejo: 'Happy holidays to the whole Hunter family - can't wait for the new one.' Same to you my man.

Jalopy: 'Ian - what's up for 2012?' You'll see.

Nigel: 'When are you bringing back 'Just Another Night'?' We just did.

Noisy Guys from NY: 'How's the new material coming along?' Done.

Gerry Campbell: 'Greetings.' Same to you, sir.

Irina wishes us all the best. Same to you, girl.

John Caswell: Actually, we bumped into Ellen Foley not long ago at the Danbury Mall! She still looks the same. 'Boston the best show we've seen in a long time.' Ta.

Gordon Crowley-sweet: It's not looking good.

Dave Pope: We'll be there - and I have asked for Northampton (October I think).

McClenaghan: 'What was the first car you owned?' I knew this bloke who had a garage in Northampton. He'd clear old cars out now and again and I'd buy them - usually for a fiver. I remember I had a Wolsey, a Riley and an Opel. I think the Opel was the first one. Ridiculous when I think of it now.

Jimmy D: 'Have fun bringin' your new songs to life.' They're already born.

Bucks Burnette: ''The Horse's Mouth' starring Alec Guinness - a quirky eccentric tale of a troubled genius artist slightly out of touch with the England that surrounds him. Highly recommended! Currently in print on DVD for the curious.' Anything A.G. did was quality - great actor.

Ian Mack: 'Was there any one person in your childhood (other than immediate family) that had a significant influence on your life?' No.

Danny: 'Play the philharmonic in Liverpool. It's about time you came back here. Scousers love you.' I love Liverpool - it's the cradle - but promoters are promoters.

Patrik Manson: Well, Max was producing Ozzie at the time and he thought he could do the trick for me. I just bout did him in! 'Please don't overproduce this new one.' That comes up a lot in conversation.

Bill Nickerson: 'Where can I get a Hunter/Ronson 1980 DVD?' 'Rockpalasst' has just been released by a German company. Check Amazon.

Ken Grady: Nice one!

Edward Shirley: 'It's bee pointed out to me that Schubert's 'Marche Militaire' has certain similarities to 'Knees of My Heart' - was this deliberate?' Coincidence I believe.

John Frawley: 'Have you any brothers and sisters?' One brother - Bob.

Bertie McSpadden: 'If you could replay any 5 minutes of your life - and change it - would it be personal or professional?' See, the way I look at it is - I can't - so why bother thinking about it, Bertie?

We're done! Have a great New Year and come and see me and the Ranters if we're in the neighborhood.

IH
The Horse's Mouth