I was nearly Ebenezer Bruce this year. "Bah! Humbug! I don’t have time to send Christmas cards, or any of that kind of thing."
Fortunately, it has been an extremely busy year and never moreso than in the last few months. So I hope I can be forgiven for combining my mailing and Christmas card lists. Apart from anything else, I know a few people who regularly deal with Christmas in this way and I’ve enjoyed their letters in lieu of cards. So here goes........

I’ve just read my last communication. What a miserable sod I was. I must have been in a horrible mood, or something. For those of you who didn’t see it, I was bemoaning the British lack of enthusiasm for my work, compared with the continent. Well, looking back on this year, I’ve had my fair share; 80-odd gigs throughout Britain (including Towersey, Lichfield and Upton-on-Severn festivals), very enjoyable tours in U.S.A. (the best yet) and Holland.
I am assured, by the Dutch agent that I will be going back there. I look forward to that. (Hopefully, they won’t break into my car next time. Luckily they didn’t take any of the PA system. They took my bag and scattered its contents on the pavement. Taking only my glasses and the adaptor for the mobile phone. There were approximately 100 of my CDs in the car. They weren’t touched either and that’s hurtful.
The Dutch police reckon the "baddies" were frightened off by The Naked Truth’s cover.)
Germany continues to get better and better. I told of my new motorbike in the last epistle (Yamaha Thunderace 1000). I was so proud of that beast, but unfortunately it only lasted 4 weeks. Whilst on my way to Germany, I wrote it off by running into the back of a car on the M25. Not a good week. I wasn’t hurt and eventually made Germany on a borrowed BMW.(Thanks to Keith and Joan Holloway.)

I’ve got another Thunderace now, so I’m still in love. I had to leave it in Germany due to bad weather conditions. Oh how I miss it. Sob! Sob!

Thanks to everyone who ordered my "A Kind And Gentle Nature" album and for the positive comments I’ve received, so far. No reviews yet, so, I’m still on tenterhooks.
Once again I’m sorry it’s release was delayed.

I’ve just been in the studio to record a four track CD. (No cassettes this time)There are three of my own songs (previously unreleased) and "Annie Laurie"
( a song I’m really enjoying at the moment ). For this E.P. (showing my age here) we’re dropping my name and releasing it under "Breezeband".
We’re attempting to attract some of the bigger labels and our producer, Mark Powell, assures us that there’s a higher probability that a "short" CD will be listened to.
Mark has a fair old pedigree. He used to run Woodworm studios where he recorded such notables as Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson, Ralph McTell and many others. I was pleased that he approached us rather than the other way around.
Of course the bad news is that we’re also hoping to sell our new demo. I’ll include an order form with the letters that go to the mailing list. It looks like Gordeanna McCulloch and I are not going to find time to work together, in the near future, as I had hoped. However, the idea is still afloat.

Soon, I have to discuss making my first traditional album with Dr. Fred Freeman(The producer of the Burns’ CDs). It seems he was happy with my contribution to the Linn Records’ project. I also hope to be on Vol. 3 but the series’ future may be a little up-in-the-air , at present. Watch this space.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read these words. It only remains for me to wish you all the best for 1997. I’ll print my New Year’s itinerary overleaf in the hope you can make it along some night.

Cheers Ian