MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!


Well, it's the early hours of 23rd December 2000. Once more, the only person that received a christmas card from me was Mum. Apologies to all those I used to send to but, I just don't get around to it anymore. I promise that I do think of you AND I do have pangs AND yes, I am expecting the three Dickensian ghosts any minute.
Also, many thanks to those who, despite my bachelorly lack of interest in things christmassy, took the trouble to send cards and emails to me. I do appreciate them. It keeps me in touch. Another thought....My Glasgow flat, which was on the market for two years, despite all its renovations, has just sold. The mail redirection ran out last month and I didn't bother to renew it. I bet there are some cards waiting around there. Woops!!! I wonder if there's any money in them?!
After all the fuss, where on earth did year 2000 go? It's been a very busy year for me, for one reason or another. Most of you will know that I now live in Germany, or....sort of. I had so much work on, that I have rarely seen the inside of these walls. There was no plan to move here, it just kinda happened. It meant a lot of to-ing and fro-ing back and forth to fulfil my British commitments. Also the American, German and Danish gigs kept me away from here.
I had a good time this year. The whole of the summer I gigged with the motorbike. It was wonderful.
I brought out 'TOO FAR FROM SHE on CD. I've wanted to do that since its first release. Now it's done.
For the first time I produced an album. Christina Harrison's, 'Lassie Wi' The Lintwhite Locks'. I'm very pleased with it. I hope it does well for her.
I had the best tour ever in America. Thanks Mike Dinsmore. Unfortunately, he's given up his agency now. There's another fella called George Wood working his butt off on my behalf. If you'd like to help make his burden lighter, you can catch him at Ggwood1@aol.com.
I gave the website a face-lift. (www.ianbruce.co.uk) It's neater and contains just about all the information there is to know about me. Incidentally, it has some mp3s in the background of some of the pages. That was a big mistake. Some folks think the page is not loading up properly. It's just that their computer is trying to download the mp3. I'll be rid of them when I get a minute.
The project which is taking up most of my time, at the moment, is the live CD, which was recorded at The Riverside, Glasgow on 6th December. The concert was well attended (thanks everyone) and I was extremely nervous. Usually, when you're in a studio with a bunch of new songs, you have the luxury of retakes and words in front of you. We (Ian Lowthian, Iain Fraser, Ian Murray and me - 'Ianianiain') tried without either one. It was a hell of a lot to take on, and in places we, or I, just crumbled. It's very difficult with so many onlookers. By the end I was thoroughly whacked. I'm very pleased with the recording and spending lots of time mixing it. It should be out in a couple of months. Thanks to those who have already ordered it.
The deal is that it is £11 in advance, payable in advance, or £13 after its release. I'm trying to encourage pre-sales as I'm always broke at this time of year and am keen to see this project through.
Well, it's now 03.24 German time and I'm kna....really needing my bed.
Once more thanks to everyone who has helped and encouraged me so much throughout the last twelve months. My agents, my mum and all the close friends who have stuck by me in the last, sometimes difficult, very tiring but rewarding, year.
Please keep in touch and remember to keep up with the web site.
Have a great time over the holiday period.
See you in 2001 (details on the gig-guide.) I still have to put in a few dates e.g. Skagen Festival, Denmark. I'll catch up soon.

Thanks again.

Ian