Thoughts from the 51st.
February 2025
Happy ’25 everybody.
It’s been quite the start of the new year for me. I had a problem with ‘BO’, …Burn Out, NOT…. Body Odour, at the end of the Fall Tour. If I am honest it’s been there for a while…The Burn Out, so I have made a few changes and hope to make 2025 a year of health and strength.
I also ended 2024 on an exciting note. I was cooking steak (one of my changes is not to cook steak again) on New Years eve, when I accidentally dropped the steak into the pan, and the splash of the oil went into my face. I would show pictures, but it likely would be taken down, so if you are interested in seeing my burnt face I’ll let you have the dark web address.
Christmas was wonderful seeing it through the eyes of our two beautiful and inspiring Grand Daughters. We also travelled to see our son and his wife in Toronto.
As I write this today it’s cold. We have had snow for some days and very cold temperatures. Last night it went down to about -15, and today it’s a warm and sweaty -6.
First things first, I did not record a new album. I wanted to, believe me, I really did. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak, that’s not the title by the way, it’s how I felt. I have written a couple of new songs though and maybe I will start the album in the summer, maybe.
I am going to try and do something different for me on this next tour.
Over the past 15 years of touring, I have never kept to the same set list of songs. Every show I wrote a new set list, and even then, most times didn’t even stick to the list I had written. ADHD has its advantages don’t get me wrong, but the constant need of difference and stimulation is exhausting.
So, Like a Ricky Gervais Netflix special, I am giving this tour a name. The set list will be based upon a theme. All the songs connected to the theme.
For Spring 2025 I have decided to go with ….
Place / Ort
My little show will be about Place. Place I was born, lived, found happiness, found fear, found a new direction. Place of beauty and place of learning, place.
For instance, I have for years and years wanted to play ‘Nothing Rhymed’ by Gilbert O’Sullivan in a show. But I had no reason to really.
But now I do!!!!
I realize this may well be too much Information for some, so little ones avert your eyes, but I was conceived on the Island of Jersey. It was the honeymoon of Mom and Dad. Thankfully for me, not only being conceived of course, but Gilbert O’Sullivan lives on the island of Jersey…. BINGO!
My Mom and Dad sometime in the early 60’s
Well, that gives you an idea what to expect.
I will visit 16 schools for workshops and coffee and chocolate (especially in Switzerland). And perform 27 shows. I also thankfully will be joined by my wife Louise for a few weeks on this tour because her Gall Bladder is great now, well actually it’s great because there is no Gall Bladder anymore. I will visit my mom and brother and sister in Ireland and also my other brother in The Netherlands.
I am as always incredibly grateful to you all for coming and seeing me play.it still at times seems unbelievable to me that there are people who will travel and pay money to hear me. I never will take it for granted.
