Jackie as you say, sometimes even the worst of times can work out for the ...

Jackie as you say, sometimes even the worst of times can work out for the best. I wouldn't give up some of the accidental sessions we had over the years for any amount of "success." I'm sure you have the same kind of fond memories

Hottest and driest February on record, here in Perth, Western Australia ...

Hottest and driest February on record, here in Perth, Western Australia. Tomorrow (March 1st) is the first day of Autumn and they're predicting 36C in Perth. Any global warming sceptics out there?

Frank& Gerry, One tour we did about 12 years ago we did 4 weeks in Tassie ...

Frank& Gerry, One tour we did about 12 years ago we did 4 weeks in Tassie, 21 gigs. All great except for one. That was in Burnny and the guy who managed the place we were to play in was an alco, a right piss artist who had done nothing in the way of PR, all the posters were still sitting in his office. No adds in the paper, nothing on the radio, ziltch. The gig was a concert and there were 6 or 7 acts to play on the night, it was being recorded by the ABC so we had all signed a contract, we had to do the gig. The place seated 2000 bums on seats, but because of the drunken git of a manager we played to an empty room. It was the worst gig of my life, but after it was over, everyone headed for the pub and we started a session that went on till the wee small hours, it was a ripper. So it turned out alright in the end.

Gerry ...

Gerry

It can be worse when you’re three-quarters of the way into your first set and you say, “There’s no fekin-body here!” Then the owner/manager of the establishment saunters stageward and says, “did ye happen to notice, there’s no fekin-body here - where’s all your mates?” and worst of all, “Were youse counting real hard on getting paid tonight?” Oh the wonderful life of the musician! Thankfully, I no longer worry about these things too much, since I rarely play for money any more...not that there's anything wrong with that

Every gigging musician will recognise the feeling when, on entering 'le ...

Every gigging musician will recognise the feeling when, on entering 'le place de la gig', as we say on the left bank (of Le Lagan), you say to yourself, 'There's no-feckin-body here'! That happenened tonight. I was the first there. Three people at the bar - a young couple who seemed to be throwing it back for Ireland (and this is before tomorrow's game against England - they're obviously not playing, I'm thinking...) and a guy who comes up to me, after hearing the barman addressing me as 'Gerry', and asks me, 'Are you Gerry Creen? I used to go to school with you.' 'Not me, Sunshine', sez I, 'I wish I was, as he's making a fortune from shampoo adverts this weather!' 'Is that what he's at?', sez yer man, 'I haven't seen him for years'. At which stage I began to pine for the cold, wet, freezing night just outside the door.... (And, apologies, Gerry, I didn't get his name, for your future reference!)

Anyway, despair was beginning to seep in when one or two other musician/singers started to filter in, in dribs 'n' drabs. Then a few punters drifted in followed by another few, etc, etc. Jaysus, we might have a session after all. And, shortly after, a fine box player, Anthony Toner, dandered in. Mighty! Session on!! So it turned out to be a great night after such a weak start. Why do I worry about these things?

This has been my favourite Bob Dylan number since I first heard it in 1965 ...

This has been my favourite Bob Dylan number since I first heard it in 1965. Hey! Great to see Den on Facebook. Good on ya Den! About 44C in Jarrahdale today! Jackie ... I'm enjoying a clean skin Shiraz ($12 for a box of six!) ... it tastes just as good as my ... Chateaux Cardboard! 36C at 6am in Sydney, Jackie and Elaine? Crikey! That's bloody warm ... ain't it?