Way back in those days Brian used to be always calling for re-writes. He called me up one day and said "you've just written a hit". He then went on to say that it was the verse of one song and the chorus of another and could I sort of just "join them together". Of course I did so and the resulting song was a minor hit single and went Gold on a compilation album. You will find that song HERE

Another time we were sat in a pub in London and he declared that I coudl take my titles for songs from absolutely anywhere. He pointed to a sign on the wall and said, "for instance you could write a song called The Prince of Wales". My eyes aligted on the sign below this and I declared that I would write a song on that title instead. I described the story that the title evoked and I went home the next day and wrote it. This too became a hit. CLICK HERE

Another fruitful suggestion by Brian led to some most interesting situations. I had recoded a multitude of songs and many of them were sung by The Caffrey Brothers, three real brothers with a great harmony blend. Brian suggested I form a band around the brothers and told me I had to be in it (I had at that time retired from performing) He then trouped up a series of record companies and producers to the North East that finally resulted in THIS

Brians latest publishing venture is called "Heart2Heart Music"., Watch this space!

[edited to add] Met with Brian recently in a London pub. We discussed our strategy for our latest onslaught on the pop music world. Later we noticed to our horror that the pub wasn't sporting a single discernable song title on it's walls. Sign of the times? Shortly aftwards he's at it again asking for the verse of one song to be added to the chorus of another. Some things never change.

The drummer of my first band has a site telling the story here. Our old (no pun intended) agent Ivan Birchall signed his guestbook and since then both Jim and I have been in touch by email. I told a couple of stories relating to Ivan on Jims site here and here For some reason I was either charged with or took on the role of dealing with bookings etc and I well remember climbing the stairs to the Ivan Birchall Entertainments offices off the Bigg Market in Newcastle to see if there were any new gigs or to pick up contracts. I'm delighted to find that Ivan has fond memories of me and my band because I would have thought the sullen and very serious teenager I was would have left a far different impression on him.

WMDJ are having a band meeting next week here

We'll be discussing the VOICES project and some exhibition spaces that have been offered.

The webmaster of Metal Gods Website asked me to write this article eons ago. My memory must be faulty because I seem incapable of finishing it. I've just come across my notes so I thought I would serialise it here.

Click here to read the story

In 2003 I decided to keep a picture diary and chart a whole year by taking one picture per day. I'm going to republish them here but hopefully it will not take a full year to upload. The pictures tell a story within a story but only those who were there will know this. Howard Rheingold very kindly wrote a foreward to this story which you can read below or click here to go directly to the story.

Steve Thompson's 365 is much more than a collection of photographs -- it's a testament to the kinds of warm human relationships that can develop online between people who may seldom or never meet each other face to face. I've never met Steve in person, but I communicate with him online every day. In 2001, he invited me to give a speech in England. I was on my way to the airport on September 11 when the terrorist attacks shut down air travel. Steve was determined to make the connection, despite the obstacles, and managed to facilitate a video tele-conference at the scheduled time. Steve's story is conveyed by technology, but the connection is a human one. Howard Rheingold "What it is ----> is ----> up to us."

click here to read Steve T's 365.

Over the years mine and Mick Whitakers paths have crossed many times. Around 1997-1999 I was gigging in a line-up with him that I thought was really good. The pic to the right shows Mick, Ken and me at the Bierex in Newcastle, one of our regular gigs. For me this was probably the the most enjoyable live performance period of my music career.

Mick Whitaker (Panama Red) Vocals/Percussion
Andy Hawking (Bobby Decent) Keyboards/Vocals
Steve Thompson (Davewudsurvivor) Guitar/Vocals
Ken Goodinson (Harry The Bastard) Drums
Richard Rutherford (Jack Death) Bass

Below is a gig list I found on my PC - I would say this was 1999. Sadly my involvemnt in this band came to an end when I moved to Teesside. I recall that Ousburn Delta gig outdoors on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I intended recording it but didn't. I wish I had as it was incredible. It was meant to be me, Mick and Andy performing "unplugged" but Richard and our new drummer Graham (playing brushes) came along too. We were no boy band but as Mick, Andy, and Me, sang an accapella harmony there was a clearly audible sigh from the audience.

11 July Turks Head South Shields
24 July Archer Newcastle
25 July Bierex Newcastle (early afternoon)
25 July The Tyne - Ouseburn Delta Folk & Blues Festival (late afternoon)
31 July Butlers - Nunn St Newcastle
04 Aug Hyena Cafe - Leazes Lane Newcastle
05 Sept Turks Head South Shields
02 Oct Archer - Newcastle
06 Nov Turks Head South Shields
14 Nov Bierex Newcastle
18 Dec Turks Head South Shields