IAN BRUCE NEWSLETTER  DECEMBER 2001

Hello everyone,

I hope the picture is not too much of a shock. Some of you already knew and I'm sure many more suspected that I was gay. Now that I live together with my partner, Tony Borthwick, I'm not willing to live the lie any longer. I need to be able to speak about 'us' without folks wondering what the hell I'm talking about. My thanks go to all the friends who have supported us. Especially Mum, my brother Fraser and his wife Mo. I hope not too many of you will find it necessary to turn away from us. Some may say I've changed; I haven't. They just didn't know how difficult it was to keeping all this inside since my teens.

My 'coming out' is not exhibitionism. After all, you know I would tell you if I'd got married.

Most of you will know that I like to write about the things that matter to me. My inner feelings curtailed my writing for 5 years. I knew folks would not want to listen to 'gay' songs. Worry not, I still won't be shouting about it. I just craved the freedom.

Anyway, that's that said. I won't be standing on any 'homosexual' soap boxes. All I ask is your understanding and continued friendship.

Tony is a great guy and incredible chef. He, and his business partner, own the acclaimed restaurant; The Plumed Horse in Crossmichael near Castle Douglas. I'm very proud of him.

I feel like enjoying Christmas this year. We have a little decorated tree, a new pussy cat (Maggie, short for Magpie) and a couple of teddy bears. People expect that of homosexuals.

So, all this puts me back in card sending mood and, once again, I'll be apologising for their tardiness. I haven't sent a single card for three years.

As usual, here is a list of gigs. I hope you'll come along in the new year.

We are very happy and hope you are too.

Have a great time over the festive season. We intend to.

Best Wishes,

Ian and Tony

IAN BRUCE NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 2002

I hope you had a great Christmas and New Year.

It's January and I'm back in Germany touring with Vic Besch. (And using his computer - don't tell).
Another birthday slipped by, as it usually does in January. It came along amidst a great bundle of gigs. We're just over halfway through and so far, so good. Most of the venues are offering immediate return bookings for next year.
We call the tour "Robert Burns etc." The "etcetera" allows us to include my own songs and a few other things. The mixture works very well. Burns alone might prove just a little too heavy for the whole night.
We plan to record a CD to sell at our German gigs next year.

Tony, my partner, flew over to Germany for the aforementioned birthday. The man's mad, but the surprise call to pick him up, in Bremen, in 5 minutes was much appreciated. A very nice time was had. He's now back home dealing with a huffy cat. She objects to being left alone for a day.
Also, thanks to Elaine for the chocolate motorbike.

It looks like being a pretty busy year. No complaints there. I have to make up for the loss of business during last year's illness.
Now that I'm back on the road I'm really enjoying it again. I'm not travelling alone and that's what makes the difference.

I keep getting nice comments about the last CD, Jigs, Jives and Jacobites. That's great, a little boost to the ego is always appreciated. As is the odd play on Radio 3 that I've received recently. Thank you Andrew Marr.

Well, I'll go now and let Elaine distribute this wee letter along with the current gig list. I hope to see you soon.

Success to you all,

Bye fur noo,

Ian Bruce.

IAN BRUCE NEWSLETTER – FEBRUARY 2002   28/2/02 (at 1pm)

Notes - Editor

........ I still wasn't grumpy, no matter what "The Bruce" says !

As well as Ian touring in the UK from mid March until May, look out for the Band gigs. They are in Germany from 8/3/02 to 16/3/02 and in Scotland at the Glenfarg Folk Fest in April and McLintock Hall in May. It would be great to see them down south, I suppose we could all get the ferry to Bremerhaven, it may just be for freight though!
Later in the year, Ian will be at the Warwick and Baggeridge Festivals.

I'm in the middle of another batch of Robert Burns presentations. These are under the close scrutiny of Dr. Fred Freeman and generally aimed at 9, 10 and 11 year olds. I am very surprised by my fondness of the kids. They really are fabulous. Maybe it's just that I never really progressed much past that age myself. We have a lot in common.

We're still waiting to hear if we are to record the CD of Allan Ramsay material. It all hinges on an Arts Council grant. We should hear soon. I hope it will be out quite soon. I'm in the middle of trying to upgrade some studio equipment, in preparation for it.
Don't ask!! Just don't ask about the new computer! Well, since you asked, I'm going through hell at the moment. Cubase really needs a fast computer to work well and I asked PC World to build me one. It has Windows XP running and all my current software needed upgrading before anything would work. Sometimes it simply doesn't. I'm going off my head. I love them when they're working but..... I have heard so many folks saying that.

Anyway, that's my public grumping over. I'll go back to private grumblings and let you get on your way.
It would be nice if your way was to envelope a gig or two. In case it can, here's a list. I hope we meet soon.
This letter is a bit late. Sorry, but I had a load of grumpy reminders from Elaine. It took me so long to read them that........Well, I suppose it was my fault. (He says sheepishly)
Bye for now.

Ian M. Bruce
www.ianbruce.co.uk
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