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MESSAGE FROM MARTIN TURNER
pic: London 29 Jan 2010 (Gary Carter)
Happy New Year to all fans of Wishbone Ash music, Another twelve months has passed, and what a busy year 2009 proved to be. As we prepare to mark the 40th anniversary of the formation of Wishbone Ash, I’m delighted to find myself in a situation where I am busier than ever. We certainly covered some ground over the past year and knocked up some serious road miles, particularly on the extensive tours of the UK and the German speaking territories. As always it’s great to be greeted by familiar faces in the audiences, but what is equally pleasing is that we are finding new friends wherever we play – people who have not seen Wishbone Ash performed live for many years and also younger fans who are hearing the band’s classic music for the first time, either by listening to their parents collections or by discovering the music through the internet. New territories are opening up for MTWA all the time, with serious interest now being expressed in both the US and Japan. When Steve Upton and I left the West Country to “search for something new” all those years ago, we could never have possibly imagined that the music we were eventually to create together with Ted Turner, Andy Powell and Laurie Wisefield would still touch the hearts of so many people four decades later. I thank all fans of the music of Wishbone Ash, throughout the world, for their support, both throughout the years and in the present day. On the 40th anniversary of Wishbone Ash, a special thanks to those who helped to make the band. Ted Turner, my spiritual "brother", with whom I speak regularly and meet whenever we're on the same island; to Steve Upton, my great friend - so good that we're in regular contact; and to Laurie - a great Xmas lunch in Soho, you're doing well mon ami. Andy – good to meet you in the Summer. Throw down the sword, mate – you’ll feel much better for it. And so to 2010 and Life Begins… As we enter a new period of touring for the band, we have introduced some different oldies into the live show, which we premiered in Greece last week. I am sure the show will develop further as the year progresses. Compiling a show from a catalogue as extensive as Wishbone Ash’s is never easy and it’s important to get the balance right. Naturally our most ardent fans are keen to hear some of the songs that we have not played with this band yet. At the same time we also have to please those who may not so be familiar with the wider catalogue and the material within it. It is vital that we cater for both elements of the fanbase and, on that note, we will be continuing to include a sprinkling of Argus songs in the set and, I’m pleased to say, I’m not “Argussed-out” yet!!! Argus has been good to me/us. It remains Wishbone Ash’s most critically and commercially revered studio album, people still want to hear it and my band are as qualified as any to reproduce it. So, let’s continue to celebrate its success! We also plan during the Spring of this year to begin recording some new studio material in between our touring commitments, and I am certainly looking forward to getting my creative juices flowing once more. There are no definite plans as regards an album release date at this time. So, no pressures, no release dates – we’ll just go in and see what happens. I already have a bunch of songs ready to record, and I look forward to working with my band members and possibly other collaborators on further material. All I can say at this early stage is that the music will have the melodic content that Wishbone Ash was known for. Speaking of my band, I would like to thank Ray, Danny and Dave for their sterling efforts over the past year. I believe we now have a stable line-up, with the correct blend of talents and personalities needed to take MTWA forwards. I thank you, chaps, for your ongoing support and your overall faith in the project. Thanks as always to my immediate team of Martin Darvill (QEDG management), Don McKay (Rhino Agency) and Gary Carter (website), UK publicist Roland Hyams and our new US publicist, Dr Ellie Schwartz, plus various industry advisers here and in Germany – you are the guys who hold everything together behind the scenes. Also Mick Howlett on the sound and all of you who help us on the road, as well as my mad family. We are also pleased to welcome aboard Maria Lundy, who has taken over merchandise duties for UK tour dates. Prior to the last UK tour, Gary announced to us privately that he would like to take a break from touring duties. We fully understand Gary’s need to spend more time at home with his young family and thank him for his dedicated efforts in the merch department to date. Working the merch stand is not an easy job by any means, as aside from selling goods, the sales person is also expected to field the numerous questions from fans concerning product and the band in general – something Gary, who knows more about the history of the band than I do, was always able to do very well. Maria has already proven more than capable and we all wish her well in this position. Gary, meanwhile, remains an integral and fully committed part of the team and not touring should allow him more time to concentrate on developing website content, archival projects, compiling the next book, etc, all of which I look forward to working with him on in the not too distant future. As a prime member of our management team, I am certain he’ll be at many of the shows as well. Each member of the team is a vital cog in the machine that keeps the band running and without which there would be no show. In a world so often filled with unnecessary spite and negativity, I am delighted to be surrounded by so much goodwill. Finally, I am happy to endorse and support the Cancer Research charity auction that has recently been announced on the site. Cancer is something that affects everyone – we all either know or have lost someone who has suffered this disease - and the auction is a great example of how music can be used positively to unite people and to help others. OK, enough talking – time to get on with it! See you on the road, Best Wishes Martin 30 January 2010 | Martin Turner |
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