http://www.lochnesscomposer.com en-gb lochnesscomposer.com 2013-5-19T00:00:00Z lochnesscomposer.com http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#135827 A Danish festival that is in its infancy is the one in Kerteminde. The land is privately owned and comprises the original house overlooking a large lawned area with fish pond and the new house that is the family residence. The whole area holds 1500 people with ease and probably many more. The stage looks magnificent against a beautiful sea view. With the weather changing into summer in the last two days conditions were perfect for a successful evening. With so many festivals happening in Denmark at this time of year it can be a risky undertaking to start another one especially when the evening coincides with The Eurovision Song Contest. As we now know Denmark walked away with the top prize in Eurovision there being little to challenge them as favourites. Whilst all that was going on Smokie were wowing a very enthusiastic audience in these lovely surroundings. I am happy that the evening was so successful and trust that there will be another invitation in future to return to this beauti... 2013-5-19 09:10:26 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#135800 The gig in Skive I am told arose from what used to be the Skive Beach Party. Smokie have played this gig a few times. Now the location is different but the feel is the same. There was something in the air last night that may be to do with the end of school year celebrations. Even at 8 oclock this morning I saw unusually dressed young people pounding the pavement on their way home after a long night of revelry. Also it seems that Summer started yesterday. Whatever the underlying reason there was a great atmosphere at Rock Ved Aen last night. It has started the Summer touring on a high note and one that I will wish to preserve right until the end of August. Tonight we are in Kerteminde on Funen. I anticipate a few stops on the way to enjoy a few of the suns rays. 2013-5-18 08:10:47 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#135524 We are getting more invitations to play for the birthday parties of notable members of Eastern Bloc society. Some of these affairs are very lush with no expense spared and all the trimmings. Last night was one such event and it was held at the impressive and spacious Koue Manor. Our host had clearly laid on a very special day in the main house that eventually adjourned to the converted stables where the concert was held. From our backstage area around the swimming pool we were able to see some unusual sights all of which I shall keep in memory and not share on this occasion. Suffice to say that what occurred would not have been out of place at a 70s bash amongst similarly wealthy people. You may have seen it in films last night we saw it for real. Our focus is always the gig and it was a major success. It was a delight to see how people who had filed in an orderly fashion from the main house to the stables became instantly relaxed as we hit the stage. Its as if a button had been presse... 2013-5-12 07:50:37 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#135133 I do get asked some interesting questions that threaten to turn me into a walking encyclopaedia. Now that I am a travel agent as well as a keyboard player at least for today I can confirm that Valer is North East of Oslo above Jessheim. Question answered I hope so. Otherwise theres always Google. That source of information never lets us down and contains even more data than I can hold in this ageing brain. I shall see our Norwegian fans in Valer now that everyone knows where it is. If you get lost just remember its the third mountain on the right after the trolls hideout before you get to the fjord. Therell be a moose in the road as a guide. 2013-5-2 17:08:14 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#135099 The video for I like what I see is now available on httpswww.youtube.comwatchvLJvI7IGMtoMHappy viewing 2013-5-1 19:23:53 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#134668 The Getec Arena positively glistened in the sunlight as we approached. Our journey from the south west to the north east of Germany had taken eight and a half hours. As I mentioned to some of my colleagues I often spend eight hours just in Amsterdam waiting for my onward flight so this was nothing out of the ordinary. The journey was worth every minute because we had such a great response from the crowd that I would have travelled twice as long just to enjoy the atmosphere. Its been good to catch up with our friends in other bands for a while something we dont often get the chance to do because we are generally on tour alone. The camaraderie just grows with time and new friendships blossom as a result of being part of the multi band programmes. Now we can look forward to a couple of free weekends to take some time out and get involved in other projects for a while. Im very much hoping that the garden will start to benefit from a few of the suns rays and even for the grass to start gro... 2013-4-20 22:27:38 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#134643 I am reliably informed that it is 18 years since we were in Saarbrucken. I had a chance to look around the city today and enjoy the atmosphere that accompanies early Spring. The seated audience at Saarlandhalle were extremely well prepared to enjoy themselves and join the party. It makes entertaining so effortless when everyone appears to be in the right mood and our crowd were definitely in the right mood. These two shows in Germany early in the year are the prelude to our 10date tour in October and have set the tone perfectly. Its a great pleasure to be in this part of Europe right now and to feel the change in peoples energy as the longer days start to benefit all. I dont wish for time to pass too quickly for I would like to savour every moment of this runup to the summer shows. It always seems too short a time between the start and the end of the season. Thats how time passes when we are enjoying ourselves. 2013-4-19 22:21:43 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#134235 The sight of dozens of mobile phones lit up during If you think you know how to love me is a familiar sight here in Russia as it is in all of the Eastern Bloc countries. Somehow it is equally impressive in a small venue as it is in a large arena. On this visit we played the bijou theatre Zvezda whereas our last visit was hosted by Lada. It was the last show on this mini Russian tour and was the most animated one so far. Perhaps there is less of a tendency in these parts to hold on to old concerns about public displays of enjoyment. Smokie are always about having a good time and showing it. People have enough to worry about in their private lives and they welcome the opportunity to escape we are all about escapism. Well my immediate escape is via three flights as far as Manchester Airport. Yes I know I live in The Highlands but there is no way to get quite so far tonight that pleasure will have to wait until tomorrow morning. But Manchester is close enough because its only a plane ride... 2013-4-10 05:59:48 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#134143 From the moment I walked into Ogni Ufyi it stirred memories of our last time there in September 2010. Its a real rock club it even has mockup rock scenery behind the stage that lends it an earthy feel. No problem creating an atmosphere here because it starts with one. Although the audience are seated they needed little encouragement to get up and dance. To add to the flavour of the evening there is a fabulous restaurant behind the bar that we all remember from our last visit due to the high quality of the food as well as the fact that the venue brews its own beer. Its little wonder that we have such a good night there because everything is in place for entertainment at its best. Its also the home of our promoter Vladimir also known as Razzle Wolf. For him in particular it was important that the evening was a success and it was surely everything for which he could have hoped. It marked our penultimate show on this great tour of Russia. Now we transfer to Samara where we have our last ... 2013-4-8 00:29:02 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#134106 We have waited 30 years for you said one lady outside The Opera and Ballet Theatre in Chelyabinsk. Was it what she was expecting Apparently she could not contain her excitement and was keen to let us know after the show that it was the best day of her life. Such enthusiasm just goes straight to the heart and is a fair representation of the feelings of so many of our followers in Russia. A Russian tour is a tour of emotions and experiences. It is very heartening to see a crowd who until now have been discouraged from standing and showing too much enthusiasm in case they start a riot actually become so involved in the show that they forget how they have been conditioned to stay rigid and behave themselves. Things are changing here gradually and it is noticeable each time we tour that there is a difference. The Russians have always been extremely hospitable and now they show warmth as well. What a pleasure to be able to look back to our first foray into this massive region in 1991 and see... 2013-4-7 05:44:56 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#134077 For practical reasons not every day in Russia is spent performing. There are also the travel days during which we either transfer by plane to a location some distance away and in a different time zone or we board a train and spend many hours transferring to another city at a very moderate pace and usually overnight. Yesterday we flew from Moscow to Chelyabinsk the city most recently known for the landing of a meteor and the subsequent damage it caused. On approach it is clear that this is an industrial city the scores of chimneys belching out smoke and the lessthanwhite snow confirm this impression. There is no shortage of information about Chelyabinsk since February 15th when the sky lit up and some of the inhabitants thought the end of the world had arrived. There is a new meteor tourism fad which it is hoped will bring meteorite collectors and fans to this area. The chances of owning a piece of space dust are very small since the main body of the meteor fell into Chebarkul Lake. Ho... 2013-4-6 06:16:55 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#134043 What can we expect when we hit the capital of Russia where we are so very popular At the very least its an ecstatic reaction to our hitladen show. But theres more much more. The venue was Crocus City Hall which cuts an impressive figure against the Moscow evening skyline. This is not like the dozens of Houses of Culture from a bygone age but is more like The Royal Festival Hall in London. Such modern architecture in a country noted for its historical buildings stands out as it projects its acres of glass against the horizon. A crowded motorway network threatened to make us late as we emerged from the St Petersburg to Moscow railway. However there was ample time for a soundcheck and a quick KFC before taking to the stage and meeting our very enthusiastic audience. We hardly needed to invite them to stand on their feet for they were eager to do so even if the security guards were keen to prevent them from standing. Their reaction was real confirmation that our position as one of Russias... 2013-4-5 05:35:31 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#133996 Smokies touring year began in St Petersburg and last night we were there again this time at Palace of Culture Gorkogo a venue we havent played before. Although we were let down by KLMs failure to deliver most of our clothes and equipment the day before there was sufficient gear available to make the show a success. Our audience gave us a huge round of applause as we took to the stage and continued with their enthusiastic support throughout the show. There was no problem getting these people on their feet as had been the case many years ago when we started our Russian adventure in April 1991. There was even a member of last nights audience who was there for that maiden tour and remembers it well. Today we board the St Petersburg to Moscow train for our show tonight at Crocus City Hall. This mini Russian tour takes in just 5 cities and is promising to be a great success from start to finish. 2013-4-4 05:39:22 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#133870 What better a place to adapt to British Summer Time than Cork in Ireland Apart from the high winds driving rain and chill factor there is the excitement of returning to a newly refurbished Opera House a place we havent seen since March 2009. Linda Cullen our support lent a fabulous folky feel to the event ably assisted by Kevin her tall and enigmatic guitarist. Once again the lovely vibrant backdrop was on show to set a classy mood to the nights performance. Smokie were on good form regardless of the missing hours sleep we do get it back again in October. Some dear friends were waiting for us in the bar at The Montenotte Hotel and it was a great pleasure to catch up. It was one of those days that I wish could have been several hours longer. But Rock and Roll is all about rushing in and getting the job done and then moving on while musing over the rapid experiences. Cork was a celebration and a job well done. It has created a lasting memory for these ageing grey cells to process.Today I... 2013-4-1 15:48:42 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#133833 Theres no mistaking when the band are going down really well. The audience become very animated and look like they are waiting to burst out of their seats. It starts with the swaying and the toetapping and develops into a freeforall effort to command part of the floor as a dance area. Nowhere was out of bounds last night here at Gleneagle Hotel. The Irish have shown us once again how to have a thoroughly great time without any show of selfconsciousness. Everyone let go last night including the band. There is no better party than the one where everyone is drawn into this magical atmosphere. Happy Easter to all and enjoy the extra daylight. Perhaps Spring will start to emerge soon 2013-3-31 08:59:56 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#133303 Driving into Kings Lynn I am aware of the visibility of agriculture. I see farmers fields everywhere and restaurants selling local produce. It reminds me that there are pockets of the UK where growing food for our own consumption is still happening and it brings back memories of happy times and my family life in Suffolk where we always used to help the farmer bring in his produce burn off the fields and then have a big party. The country is so flat that you could lay carpet over the length of it. However our audience at Corn Exchange were definitely not flat in fact they were rather excited. Our return to this fabulous venue was greeted with great enthusiasm. As always once the gig is over my thoughts return to the 550mile journey home. I set off after the gig and drive through the night usually getting home about 9 in the morning. However it was not on the cards for me to have such a smooth trip yesterday because my car failed as I entered Inverness. The news wasnt good for the fan be... 2013-3-18 06:52:14 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#133230 Because the stage at York Barbican is rather generous in proportion it allows us to put up the impressive backdrop that we brought home with us after the tour of South Korea last year. The picture is a night time view of a busy Piccadilly Circus with our logo appearing amongst the neon lights overlooking the statue of Eros. The result is stunning and makes very fine scenery in venues that are large enough to accommodate it. The venue fairly echoed with the refrains of our faithful Yorkshire audience as they dug deep into their party frames of mind and let go of all thoughts other than having a good time with the band. Comments included Thats the best Ive ever seen you play and Thats the best sound Ive ever heard at a Smokie gig. Its so encouraging to hear these remarks so far into our careers. I dont ever believe that we cant keep on improving so I look forward to experiencing more of those same comments in future. It is always my personal aim to make the next show the best one I have ... 2013-3-16 08:02:05 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#133196 As I took to the stage last night I knew there was something missing. There was no hotel room key in my pocket. That can only mean one thing its a UK tour. And sure enough the reaction from our audience at Victoria Theatre confirmed that we were very close to home. Jen Armstrong our support for these three UK dates got the show off to a very strong start with a very original version of Billie Jean and went on to impress with a variety of songs on just piano and voice including a great version of Skyfall. She is a great talent and one to watch out for in future. Easily spotted by her pink hair as you may see if you look at her website httpwww.jenarmstrong.tv.The tour moves on to York today along with several of our fans who have confirmed that they will be at every show. Its good to see so many familiar faces in the audience and makes me realise that a year without UK dates would leave a melancholy gap in our schedule. 2013-3-15 10:42:26 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#133140 Its a great pleasure to have Jen Armstrong singer and songwriter on tour with us this week in England. For more information about her check out httpwww.jenarmstrong.tv 2013-3-14 04:41:37 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#132966 At the top of the hill above Sundsvall sits the very familiar Sodra Berget Hotel. Repeat bookings at this magnificent venue have meant that it is now a regular fixture for Smokie. However one main difference this time was that we played in the theatre rather than the function room. It was an ideal location for our concert performance because the tiered seating allowed every member of the audience a good view of the stage. It wasnt hard to get the crowd involved in the show and they soon warmed to the hits as well as the fresher material. Sunny days gave the location a postcard look as skiers whizzed past the hotel on pure white snow against a blue sky. For the winter sports enthusiast it is the perfect location especially if you also happen to be a Smokie fan. 2013-3-10 03:59:06 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#132854 As I wake up this morning I am feeling the excitement of achievement for it is 25 years to the day since I started my Smokie career. Perhaps I should be gigging somewhere in Sweden but as it happens I have a day off in Gothenburg to reflect on all those wonderful memories. Last night we played to a very eager crowd at the familiar Vara Konserthus. Midweek it may have been and small it was yet the atmosphere created would have graced an audience twice the size. I feel like an elder statesman of rock because so much of our work now consolidates our very comfortable position in this music industry. Enjoying the shows is effortless and they just seem to get better and better with time. Theres no shortage of energy in Smokies live show regardless of our ages an aspect on which many of our fans comment in their blogs tweets and social network responses. I never imagined when I embarked on this career on 7th March 1988 that I would still be here and even less that Smokies career would have c... 2013-3-7 05:52:49 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#132703 It seemed as though the entire army of papparazzi had turned out for our concert at Sala Palatului in Bucharest for the camera clicks were nearly as loud as our invited orchestra. These symphonic evenings are becoming so popular in the Eastern Bloc and last nights sellout show was a perfect example of how the formula works to perfection. It has been a little over three years since we were in this part of the world but last nights audience reaction would seem to suggest that we will be back much sooner next time. 2013-3-3 03:28:58 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#132428 My biggest surprise when I arrived last night at the Brunstad Conference Centre was seeing the show jumping arena set up inside the building. The Vestfold Horse Show is a major international event that takes place over ten days. I was lucky to be able to see some of the events from within the VIP area witness the rather lighthearted medieval jousting display and enjoy as much sushi as I could eat. After a day exclusively given over to horses came the entertainment part including of course music from Wild Horses amongst other wellknown songs. The crowd fairly galloped around the dance floor having consumed a hearty dinner. Although they were not mainly present to see Smokie they gave their best on the dance floor and steadily warmed to us as the set progressed. We left the audience in good spirits and ready for a party that is sure to last until about the time that we check out for our early morning flight to Amsterdam. In typical rock and roll fashion a late night is followed by an ea... 2013-2-24 00:06:58 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#132356 For an inside look at Smokies recording at The Chairworks just follow the link httpwww.youtube.comwatchvNjkkyWHPkamplistUU26J3tD6UgUw9UDE7I72MQwampindex1 2013-2-22 10:00:57 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#132327 Its not often that I get enthusiastic about football but Bradford City have really made the headlines by playing their way to the Wembley Final. We all love a success story and this is a big one for the team that comes from the city originally associated with Smokie. Also a rather familiar song has featured in the process httpwww.youtube.comwatchvdOwd1CBhXu4ampfeatureyoutu.be 2013-2-21 15:12:23 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#132164 To round off our mini Irish Tour for now we played the very familiar Waterfront to a packed house. The fact that many people have to work tomorrow did nothing to dampen their enthusiasm. It felt like a Saturday night. The crowd warmed to the appearance of Pat McManus local hero who joined us for several of the final songs featuring largely in Celtic Days and Whiskey in the jar. His solo in O Carol is just magnificent. He is a great pleasure to work with and a very popular man in his home country. It was a proper Irish celebration with all the exuberance and energy that goes with such an event. We will return to the Waterfront before too long as we promised. I believe that there is always a very warm welcome for us there. 2013-2-18 00:02:34 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#132125 A huge crowd thronged the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny to fill the conference room. Again it brought back memories of Ireland when there were never enough tickets to fill demand. The audience brought with them their party voices and had a thoroughly good time with Smokie. Putting economic concerns aside our audiences are making sure that their celebrations are not marred by outside forces. I salute them for being leaders in revelry and also for turning our biggest hit into a legend. 2013-2-17 09:30:57 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#132091 In a very charming way Sullivans Hotel in Gort has remained exactly as I remember it from twenty years ago. Even small things like talking on a corded phone from the room rather than trying to use the WiFi are highly reminiscent of the old days. The whole experience was completed when a huge audience filled the function room leaving precious little space to move. As the condensation ran down the walls I felt the joy of capturing a bygone age. Some things dont change here in Ireland and I am very happy that this is the case. Even the hospitality we received from everyone at the hotel would be hard to better anywhere in the world. Thank you to the Irish for preserving some of the quality of life that is mostly missing in 21st century living. This is a pace of life that I can enjoy and treasure. 2013-2-16 10:11:44 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#131950 I have recently become a user of Love Film after buying a Kindle Fire HD and I found both the first series and also An Innocent Abroad in their listings. Although I composed Hannahs theme music I never saw the final TV shows so its good to have a chance to see what happened to her on her journeys. She was a truly fascinating woman with a great intellect and a positively saintly manner. I recommend this series. 2013-2-13 11:43:46 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#131893 Please note that there have been some alterations to our dates for the forthcoming Swedish tour as well as some new additions during the year. 2013-2-12 10:14:26 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#131526 Now that all the Smokie demos are complete I am taking the opportunity to work on Track 6 of The Code Within. A short video is online at httpwww.youtube.comwatchvKxok5fMTK0ampfeatureyoutu.be 2013-2-5 12:56:47 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#131449 I guess it goes without saying that Smokies diary changes on a weekly basis. As I get the updates I always post them on this site. Where there are only city names it means that the venue is not confirmed yet with our management. Perhaps the tickets are selling so maybe you know more than we do. If that is the case I shall always be happy to post your information here. Look forward to seeing you wherever you are in the world. 2013-2-4 10:44:44 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#130806 Its been a creative period for me with three demo songs now in the can. The first two Just press send and That wont wait were cowritten with my son Luke and the latest one I like what I see was cowritten with Alistair Frazerpeters a gentleman who is in the Highlands for a short time. Thats enough Smokie material for now so its time to take a look at Track 6 of The Code Within Infinity. In the meantime I need a few brisk walks in the mountains to get my energy up again for touring. I took my first walk yesterday and am still feeling the effects on muscles which havent been used for a while. Theres only one remedy do it again as soon as possible 2013-1-24 08:14:37 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#130332 If you would like to take a look at the recording process here at Enrick Studio just follow the YouTube link httpyoutu.beIxNMVjh2WtQ 2013-1-15 13:24:10 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#130036 Enrick Studio has been awash with activity over the last two days. With a guitar backing track supplied by Luke before he returned to The Institute of Contemporary Performance in London I set out to write a new song for Smokie. The title as you can see above is Just press send. Lyrically it is really about communication the hook line hinting at our texting and emailing Face Book and Twitter activities. Underneath of course it is about relationships. Lets see if it passes muster and makes it on to the next album. One more track to write this week and then I shall return to The Code Within. 2013-1-9 09:32:47 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#129597 What was once the Apollo Club changed to Salon Express and then to 777 Club. Whats in a name It matters not what they call it for we know the venue well after having played it last year just before Christmas. Many of the same faces were evident and the crowds reaction matched last years response. They were not at all weary after Christmas and seemed well in the mood to burn off some of that surplus turkeyfed energy. It was a fitting end to our touring year and we may now look forward to a bit of home celebration before recharging ourselves for another busy touring year along with the recording of a new album. Do we ever slow down No not really. Its the work that keeps you young I have discovered so theres no need to put on the brakes just yet. Perhaps we might switch to cruise mode for a bit. Now keep an eye out for that New Year banner on this website. Enjoy your celebrations and try not to do the driving if you can avoid it. I may well find myself in the unusual situation of drinking... 2012-12-30 00:49:05 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#129316 The fun and games began as soon as the show started. My keyboard and pedals were festooned with fruit satsumas bananas and apples as were all the seats occupied by the orchestra. The fruit came in handy during If you think you know how to love me when the orchestra used it to wave in the air while the audience waved their phones and cigarette lighters. I took the band by surprise when I started playing The Muppet Theme Tune instead of Home is anywhere you are. Behind us the orchestra were putting on their own little show and singing along with the songs. Mexican waves gave way to dances and eventually the whole orchestra came to the front of the stage to join in with If I cant love you. The conductor Adam took a pair of sticks and joined Steve on the drums while another member of the orchestra took up the baton to conduct the orchestra. There was so much activity at Hala Mosir that it was impossible to keep track of where everyone was supposed to be. I donned the antlers and red nose ... 2012-12-20 23:50:36 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#129283 Hala Stulecia Centennial Hall cuts a very impressive figure in Wroclaw. The central dome is massive and very echoey. Its like releasing sound at St Peters Basilica at The Vatican. Our audience seemed well spread until they rose to their feet for Dont play your rock and roll after which time they remained eager and in great voice. Another great venue another great show. We approach the climax of this wonderful tour with a farewell performance at Zielona Gora. Its been an absolute pleasure and one for the memoirs. 2012-12-20 04:03:17 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#129248 Last night at Sala Kongresowa we whipped our audience up into a frenzy. They were by far the earliest to be on their feet of any Polish audience so far. The show has matured in the last week and new bits of comedy are appearing each night. With just two performances to go it is anyones guess what will happen. On thing is for sure we are going to have a lot of fun. 2012-12-19 09:36:05 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#129138 Auditorium Maximum is a huge lecture theatre with tiered seating of the type you find in cinemas. An unusual arrangement for a Smokie audience yet one that in no way inhibited either of our audiences from standing and joining the party. The good things about this type of set up is that everyone gets a great view and the crowd tend to all get up at the same time. With Christmas drawing ever closer there is an intense atmosphere of celebration. The really wacky stuff is reserved for the last three shows and I expect the final night in Zielona Gura to be fairly riotous. Today we move on to Warsaw and have an evening of rest before our last three shows of the tour. 2012-12-17 05:32:45 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#129110 Something looked familiar about Dom Muzyki I Tanca in Zabrze. It all made sense once we realised that we were last there in 1997. Having had a sizeable gap in our Polish touring I dont have records going back this far so I have to rely on my memory. One thing is for sure we have never had a more vociferous crowd than last night. They were wild with excitement and their reaction was matched by the performance of our now rock and roll orchestra. LAutunnos conductor Adam has relaxed his appearance and taken to using hair gel. His gestures are wilder than ever and his style of conducting has evolved in the direction of pure comedy. We are having a lot of fun as you can tell and there are likely to be more unexpected happenings as we move closer to Christmas and the final shows of the tour. But today we need all the energy we can muster for there are two shows rather than one. Its all part of the adventure. 2012-12-16 08:00:15 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#129086 The massive Atlas Arena was our venue for last nights energetic rendition. After a day of rest there was new energy from both the band and LAutunno Orchestra. I asked our conductor Adam about the history of the orchestra. Apparently he formed them five years ago for just one project and quickly named them after Vivaldis Autumn not thinking that they would still be going strong after five years. I hope we will see them many times again in the future and here they are with their version of Blue Intro httpwww.youtube.comwatchvAqSQIwMpwTcamplistUU26J3tD6UgUw9UDE7I72MQwampindex1 2012-12-15 08:22:42 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#129006 How much better can a performance get How much more enthusiasm can an audience demonstrate Each day we reach a new high and I wonder when we will reach our peak. The orchestra loosened up a little more last night at Hala Gdynia. There was an infectious playful mood amongst the players that further egged the band on to keep the humour going. This is not just a performance or a musical happening its a whole show an extravaganza. Its like Smokie The Musical. Perhaps its time for an enterprising entrepreneur to make that happen. It has already been discussed. It wouldnt take too much imagination to write a storyline and hang it on the many and various hits. Now we are thoroughly warmed up we take a break to drive 350 kilometres to Lodz for the next show on Friday. In the meantime there is a chance to play around with some lyrics for another possible Smokie song for the new album. Theres no grass growing underneath these feet 2012-12-13 05:48:45 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#128971 Smokie are covering more parts of Poland than on previous tours and hence discovering new places. Its always good to play somewhere new especially when we get the sort of reaction that we had last night at Luzniczka Arena. Our Polish Orchestra have really settled in and are in the swing of the rock and roll presentation. I see total enjoyment on their faces and its absolutely delightful. We are a strong team now performing as one entity rather than two. The mood is infectious and excites the audience into venturing out of their seats at the earliest opportunity. The show lasts over ninety minutes yet it seems to be over so quickly such is the atmosphere it creates. We move on to Gdynia tomorrow. 2012-12-11 23:03:37 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#128918 A fresh snowfall and rush hour traffic delayed our arrival at Hala Arena in Poznan resulting in a very short rehearsal with our Polish Orchestra. However nothing could dampen their enthusiasm or alter the fact that our first show in Poland would get off to a great start. The audience rewarded us with a very passionate response to our symphonic presentation. We have set the bar high and plan to keep it that way. With another 9 shows yet to go there is much to look forward to. Our young orchestra comprises just 25 players all of whom will be with us for the entire tour. I look forward to every performance for it is the best part of the day. Now I wonder how to pronounce Bydgoszcz 2012-12-10 22:16:34 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#128839 Beginning with a bracing walk around the attractive streets in the locality of the cathedral and then moving on to do a Smokie internet chat to 8000 web users this day was becoming interesting. Vilnius is a beautiful city. My time in it is just too short. However there is no better way to celebrate than to fill Pramogu Arena with people and entertain them with the assistance of our now very familiar orchestra. We ended our spell in Lithuania on a high note leaving the audience the orchestra and the band feeling entirely satisfied that things could not have been better. I heard that phrase again when are you coming back and that was just a promoter talking. Realistically we shall return to do more orchestral shows in two years. Thats the usual gap between such bookings. Since the end of 2013 promises to be hectic I think it is unlikely that we would be here sooner than that. But things change and there are always surprises in store for Smokie. We now move on to Poznan and our next rehe... 2012-12-8 22:30:34 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#128812 While the success of last nights double set in Klaipeda was still fresh in our minds we arrived at Siauliu Arena in Siauliai where we had last played on 1st January 2011 at the end of our Christmas Tour. And here we were again warming our audience up for the runup to Christmas 2012. The fusion of rock and orchestral works so well in this country that it would be hard to imagine not doing it this way. Our audience were eager to take up position in front of the stage and answer the call of Do you want to rock and roll. As the music filled the arena the crowd showed their delight at the massive sound enhanced so much by the 43 players who sit on the raised stage behind us. It is Smokie plus and what a big plus that is. Vitautas our conductor continues to add to his repertoire of comical dances as he guides his players through the show sometimes dancing with a violinist and sometimes just leaping about to their amusement. Our combined efforts are reaching a crescendo as we approach the fin... 2012-12-7 23:56:36 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#128779 Svyturio Arena is familiar territory for Smokie as we officially opened it on 28th July last year. With that piece of history in our favour we were treated as very special guests at this beautiful venue. To make things a little different we did a split set that was carefully divided so as to keep the high points where they really needed to be. One lasting memory of this show as well as others is the way all the mobile phones light up during If you think you know how to love me. Its a truly magical moment that makes me feel like Christmas is already here. Some say that last nights show was the best so far and I think they may be right. There is really a good chemistry between Smokie and The Vilnius Symphonietta that reaches out to the audience. It just keeps getting better and better for us. What an amazing end to our year that features mostly arena shows. There is something in the air for Smokie and I like it very much. 2012-12-7 07:07:45 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#128728 Its a great feeling to have an orchestra play one of my own works. Much of my material is ideal for orchestral performance so it is very exciting for me when an orchestra takes on the role of scoring and performing one of my arrangements. During the first part of this Smokie Symphonietta Tour of The Eastern Bloc The Vilnius Symphonietta perform their version of Blue Intro before launching into the full version and the start of the show. To hear them take a look at httpwww.youtube.comwatchvM9VZkOZ5xoIamplistUU26J3tD6UgUw9UDE7I72MQwampindex1 2012-12-6 07:02:40 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#128666 As the audience at Zalgirio Arena warmed up last night they showed that they wanted to be on their feet and joining the party. Their early attempts were however thwarted by security whose aim it was to keep everyone in their seats. That just doesnt work at Smokie concerts. Years of conditioning have led the people to believe that they must conform and do as they are told by authority. Again that doesnt work at Smokie concerts. What does work is when the massive crowd act as one and rise up to get full enjoyment from the show. Their enthusiasm was full to bursting and they let go in a way that was just short of riotous. The final result was that they didnt wish for the show to end and let us know in no uncertain terms that this had been a historic night for them. Long after the show finished there were still fans and promoter talking about Smokies return to Kaunas. A party ensued in our hotel and Smokie music blared out in the bar until 5.00 this morning. Having this sort of effect on p... 2012-12-5 07:54:16 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#128596 The Vilnius Sinfonietta for that is our current orchestra had a bit of a surprise for us tonight. To open the show they play two unusual and unexpected instrumentals Derry Girl and Going back to Bradford before launching into a full version of my intro Blue Intro that starts each show. The arrangements lend a bit of lightheartedness to the show and help to loosen up the players before they join us in some classical rock and roll. I can sense that as these first five shows progress there will be more relaxing on the part of the players as they approach their final performance in their home town where I have no doubt there will be plenty of movement on their part in for example the mexican wave and other fun exhibits. Now we have one show under our belt the mood is set for the tour and it is a mood that spread amongst our eager Latvian audience. Once they were on their feet they wanted real contact with the band. It was as much as I could do to stand my ground as some attempted to pull ... 2012-12-3 20:37:20 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#128428 My Smokie commitments have taken precedence there being many interviews to do for the forthcoming Orchestra Tour. This means that The Code Within will have to wait until next year. I have however uploaded the latest version to all the relevant online stores so there are five tracks available at present. When I return to the studio I shall continue creating Infinity which is the name of the sixth track. I look forward to getting into the composing mood again in 2013. 2012-11-29 09:39:13 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#128332 OK the tree is up the lights are on and Im ready to celebrate. Its an early start I agree but I have to be ready early as I shall be in the Eastern Bloc until 21st December. So I have prepared the website with a festive look and added a poem at the bottom of the menu. Now all I have to do is practise eating mince pies in readiness for the big occasion. 2012-11-27 11:26:12 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#127958 Everything has a beginning a middle and an end including tours. A 5000strong audience at Liverpools Echo Arena witnessed the final show in this Once in a Lifetime Tour and left us with no doubt that they were joining the party. It was a night of mixed emotions for the entertainers because we have enjoyed being together so much yet we were all trying to catch up with each other during the evening to say our farewells before facing the anticlimax at the end of the tour. One good thing leads to another and I did the 500mile journey after the gig arriving at my home in The Highlands at 7.20 this morning where I was very happy to take a good Sunday rest. I shall not leave these shores again for two weeks when I shall head for Riga and the start of the Christmas Orchestra Tour. Theres much to do here and I think the Christmas Tree will be going up this week. I shall really enjoy this break before Smokies next engagements and take the opportunity to maybe get back in the studio to create Trac... 2012-11-18 14:15:59 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#127913 Braving the heavy Friday afternoon traffic we set off for The Sheffield Motor Point Arena for what has now become a daily habit. Everyone knows everyone and we are united in our quest to put on the best show of the year with which the UK has been presented. Our routine is the same and the reaction we draw from our audience is very similar each night. Its just the location that changes. What has been so impressive on this tour is that we have had the audience on their feet by the end of the show in every location. After tomorrow night this experience will cease and there is bound to be a huge anticlimax once we strike our final note. Of course for Smokie there is another very exciting tour just round the corner but this one in our home country has had a profound effect on both entertainers and audience. Tomorrow its Liverpool and then a long journey home. I shall be as happy to be at home as I have been on this tour. Its all good however I spend my days. 2012-11-16 21:27:40 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#127861 Because I am mostly travelling and therefore do not get to the internet as often as I would like I am coupling these two gigs together in one report. At Newcastle Metro Radio Arena we were faced with a very enthusiastic crowd ready to give us the big Geordie welcome. It took a matter of minutes before the crowd were into the mood of the show. Who could not enjoy a show packed with hits Its infectious and the mood was taken up by our eager audience at The Cardiff Motor Point Arena. Our set is having the same effect on everyone who hears us. What a wonderful feeling it is to have such a wining formula each night and to know that we are causing such great happiness amongst our audience. I always look forward to the next show and there are only two more of them. When this tour ends it will surely be time to take stock of our reputation around the UK. Maybe we can go further afield in future. Only time will tell. 2012-11-15 21:33:41 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#127712 I feel that there is a strong likelihood that all I can really tell you about these arena shows each day is that they are going extremely well. More than that they are all immensely successful. Its a winning formula. Smokie are getting a much needed boost as we are playing to more people each night than we would normally play to on a whole UK tour. Its an easy gig playing for 30 minutes and delivering a show that features only the pick of the hits. This punchy show enables us to really get the audience going in a short time and emphasises our notoriety amongst people who were perhaps unaware of just how many Smokie songs they know. With another four shows to go I expect to get much the same reaction. It was an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be so well received at Wembley Arena just as it was so heartening to feel the real warmth behind the applause at Manchester Evening News Arena. I am loving this tour and I hope that there will be an opportunity to do a similar thing again in t... 2012-11-13 18:09:54 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#127576 Last night was a great opener for the UK Arena Tour. Now the whole touring party have been introduced there is already a feeling that we are just one large family working together. The atmosphere both backstage and out front is extremely convivial. Our audience greeted us with great warmth letting us know that they were out to thoroughly enjoy the evening and all the hits we had to offer in our short set 30 minutes. Now we are familiar with our surroundings and everyone involved in this tour all we have to do is enjoy the next 6 shows. That will be easy to do 2012-11-10 06:25:55 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#127258 A massive crowd thronged Tinghallen in Viborg and filled the hall from front to back there being little room to move around. This presented Smokie with an ideal atmosphere for the acoustic set because of the very close contact with the audience. Somehow the set worked very well in this venue because the hall was so full. It was clear that although our standing audience had been listening intently they were ready for the electric set and all the hits we serve up during that part of the programme. This mini Danish tour has been immensely successful and has really confirmed our association with the Danish audiences. Some are even now counting down the days until our return to this immensely hospitable country. I make that around 33 weeks and 5 days or 236 days to be precise. I expect that time will pass quickly as it always does. 2012-11-4 07:40:47 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#127220 The release of this years Christmas Beer is a major and memorable event in Denmark. When that release coincides with a Smokie gig there are two strong forces in action remember Physics at school. Its not exactly that they were equal and opposite forces but there were certain gravitational attractions that needed to be taken into account to be specific beer drinkers will get that joke. Our festive audience made a good job of listening intently to our acoustic set yet it was obvious that they wanted the party bit as soon as possible. That is no problem for Smokie because we are a party band. When the climax came it was a big one and our audience showed their appreciation in the usual way. It is very often said that we should play new material and we listen to this request and deliver new songs and new arrangements. However it always remains true that the songs which are mostly keenly enjoyed at our live shows are the ones that everyone knows best. That is just how things work for Smokie.... 2012-11-3 08:19:59 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#127173 Driving through country lanes it was hard to imagine that there would be just round the corner a sizeable hall that is suitable for a rocking gig. Thats exactly what we found in Kvaershallen in the small community of Grasten. Such a special event for this location called for some attention to detail and that resulted in some really first class hospitality. It felt like Grasten had really rolled out the red carpet for Smokie and were already enjoying the event before it even started. Last night was the first of three Danish gigs in which we play a double set. The running order was tried and tested in Australia and continues to give a great taster of songs from all four decades in either acoustic or electric form. After leaving our audience feeling very mellow we then ramp up the volume to play a strong collection of hits at volume. The formula is a real winner and we were rewarded with a rapturous response from the crowd. This type of show demands energy and there was no shortage of tha... 2012-11-2 07:36:12 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#126943 Yes I know it says Are but I think its pronounced orra. I have to say that we had one of the finest views from the function room of the Holiday Club Hotel looking out over a floodlit ski slope. The snow wasnt particularly thick at this time of year but the temperature was decidedly chilly for October. Our first priority was to rehearse for the Danish shows and then run through the two songs One more miracle and I know who I am for this weeks recording session in Castleford. The real surprise for us was the fantastic reaction we got from our dinner guests. In no way did the fact that they were packed and trapped amongst the tables detract from their enjoyment of the show. What Smokie gave out we received back in large quantities. We left our audience at 8.30 p.m. wanting more a lot more than just dinner. I know not what happened after that but I met a lot of the audience who were very keyed up after the show and felt a huge anticlimax after we left the stage. There could be no better ... 2012-10-28 06:18:52 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#126635 I have so many memories as I fly in to Kristiansand Airport for it was the first place I ever visited outside the UK. That was 41 years ago when I was just 15. The music I brought with me was unfamiliar to my hosts it was 1971 and progressive rock was happening. My Norwegian friends laughed when Led Zepellin came on the radio. I was offended because that was the music I was enjoying back at home. Even Smokie hadnt yet come on to the music scene. Last night we played at the Dark Season Festival an event which is now in its 15th year and one that we last played 5 years ago. I am told that this was a record breaking crowd and the festival organisers were highly delighted with the response. There is no doubt that the audience were on top form. The festival is aptly named since it is noticeably darker now people are in the mood for a good postsummer celebration and they showed their appreciation in large measures when Smokie hit the stage. Our popularity in Norway is undeniable and it is gr... 2012-10-21 00:36:02 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#125908 The capacity audience at the VW Halle in Braunschweig saw Smokie play an earlier show than the previous night in Hamburg. It was a great relief to be on earlier because we had the crowds full attention while they were still feeling most energetic. Their response was tremendous and we were made to feel very welcome. Last night marked the end of the German part of this years tour which leaves the Danish English Swedish Norwegian Lithuanian Latvian Polish and Estonian dates to see us until the end of the year. How fast 2012 is progressing. We are even making time to return to the studio to record another two tracks. I think we are looking at a busy 2013. Lets not hurry things just yet. 2012-10-7 12:22:29 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#125850 Smokies return to Hamburg and in particular to the Sporthalle was received with rapturous applause. It is nine years since we have played in this area concentrating mostly on the southern part of Germany during this period. It was a great pleasure to be back and to be welcomed with such great enthusiasm. Our tour schedule for next year takes in many shows in Germany and I am happy to say it is something I look forward to with eager anticipation. 2012-10-5 23:57:29 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#125508 An enormous crowd filled the familiar threetiered entertainment room on board the Cinderella. Apparently this was the biggest turnout they had seen to date. Smokie were given an extremely enthusiastic reception as we hit the stage on board this booze cruise. Its all fun and frolics onboard and the mood is very lighthearted and happy which goes perfectly with what we are serving. As always there is an open invitation to return and I expect that we will do exactly that at some point in the future. 2012-9-29 12:17:46 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#125169 After a highspeed train ride we arrived in Seoul in good time for the first of the two shows at KBS 88. It was due to the high demand for tickets that the matinee performance was added in only as recently as Monday this week. Our afternoon audience gave us a real capital city welcome. There was a short break between gigs to allow us to regain our energy and indulge in the first round of KFC before treading the boards again and finding our evening audience supercharged and wellarmed with glow sticks mobile phones and iPads as is the trend over here in South Korea. Until recently our gig in Busan had been the best so far in this country but this final show in Seoul topped the lot. Already there is talk of our return to the republic in 2014. I believe we may have consolidated our position over here with our TV appearance our live shows and our Masterclasses. This fourdate tour was perhaps a taster of bigger plans for the future. I shall always welcome our return to this fascinating highte... 2012-9-23 03:29:43 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#125134 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 163 932 Key Note Music 7 1 1144 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS South Korea is one of the places Smokie tours where Who the F is Alice is not sung. In keeping with their very excellent manners they cant be expected to know or to participate in such a version. This in no wa... 2012-9-22 00:31:27 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#125076 The Smokie Autumn Tour of South Korea kicked off at the Exco Centre in Taegu. A stunning backdrop and impressive lights made this first show one to remember. The audience warmed quickly to our performance and did what happens naturally at Smokie gigs they came right to the front of the stage to be as near to the action as possible. The Koreans have impeccable manners and it is lovely to see them getting so lost in the music and hanging loose for a while. Today we are at the seaside town of Busan where I think I shall be enjoying the last of the suns heat for this year. Back to sweaters and boots when I get home. 2012-9-21 06:29:45 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#125025 The students of Chugye University for the Arts were keen to learn about Smokies methods yesterday. My own class comprised of several young composers and their lecturer. I loved this opportunity to interact with some of Koreas finest musicians and share philosophies. As a seasoned professional I sometimes forget just how much I have learned on the way that could be of use to a musician who is starting their journey. 2012-9-19 23:46:58 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#124965 I am often asked whether Smokie actually see anything of the place where they are performing. Today we were treated to a visit to the Palace as well as a walk around one of the biggest music stores in the world Paradise. In the evening the chosen restaurant was bulgogibros where we were treated to a variety of Korean fare including a rather hot North Korean dish. Tomorrow I shall be taking a keyboard Masterclass at the University of Arts in Seoul. This is quite a new experience for me and one I am very much looking forward to. 2012-9-18 21:44:19 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#124810 Today marks the end of my summer break and a lengthy journey to Seoul via Aberdeen and Manchester. Predictably enough this is one of the hottest days since I arrived back in Scotland for a fourweek change of scenery. Perhaps there will be an Indian summer in October Why not After all we had an early summer in March and a strange return to spring in June and July. Who knows what the seasons will serve up next I have the barbecue ready for cooking outdoors on Christmas Day. Talking of which I am just planning my yearly attack on the Christmas Tree for around the end of November. Meanwhile I am looking forward to Etihads business class and a chance to catch some of the movies I missed the first time. 2012-9-15 16:41:19 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#123337 For the last gig of the summer it was appropriate that Smokie were in such a familiar place as Randers. Our history with this part of Denmark goes back a long way and particularly to the time of our recordings at PUK Studio. We almost have a home town audience who made us feel that we really belong in this part of the world. We played in the familiar tent that is home to a weeklong festival at this time of year. Its the final summer celebration before schools return. Now we take a break for a month before continuing with the South Korean tour in September. 2012-8-17 09:58:01 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#123054 From my room I look out over acres of vineyards. Its like being in Tuscany in Italy. The fields look like they have been disciplined by a sargeant major. Not a vine out of line. The buildings echo this fantastic affinity for order. I am in the wine growing area of Germany.This is Smokies penultimate show before the summer break and the weather is being very kind to us. Its not as hot as Malta but it is comfortably warm and sunny. Our German audience gave us a very big welcome. This show marks the end of one of our toughest weeks of the year during which we flew more often than we performed a massive 11 flights in 7 days. Its been an adventure yet it will be nice to be home on a Saturday for a change. I have the closing ceremony of the Olympics to look forward to as well as an impressive number of meteors during the early morning Perseid Shower on 12th August. Dont forget to make a wish if you see one of these shooting stars. 2012-8-10 23:42:02 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#122919 From the moment I arrived on the island of Malta it was clear that there had been a lot of publicity for the show in Ghaxaq. The reason is that the concert was free to everybody and all donations are for the cancer charity. On arrival I was met by a team of journalists and directed to a press conference at the airport. At the time our hosts were talking in terms of hoping for 7500 people to attend. The actual figure was probably more than twice that. The showground and all the surrounding area was packed with people a lot of whom were unable to gain entry to the grounds but were happy to be able to hear the concert from outside. Smokie could not have made a more dramatic entrance since we were driven in three veteran Rolls Royces that were accompanied by a motorcade of 44 motorcycles and police bikes. It was a sure way of drawing attention to ourselves as we cruised through the streets of Malta on our way to the venue. To say that the streets were full of people is an understatement. T... 2012-8-8 06:12:24 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#122744 Saturday 4th August had success written all over it. On the face of it there were challenges to live up to yet the final result appeared effortless and relaxed. A massive crowd awaited us at Vesterhavsrock in Fjerritslev in hot sunny conditions. They sung their hearts out and showed their disappointment when it was time for Smokie to leave the stage. In the backstage area we were greeted by eleven Norwegians who had made the trip especially to see Smokie play live. A camera crew recorded the greeting and cameras clicked continuously. However it was soon time to depart for Alborg Airport and our private flight to Karlstad. A Citation 7 jet bore us smoothly and rapidly to Karlstad Airport in just 30 minutes. The airport was officially closed so that there was a hefty fee to open it exclusively for us so we could be in the right part of Sweden for our second gig of the day. A stretch limo awaited us and took us to our hotel for a casual dinner and a short rest before setting off for the F... 2012-8-5 07:22:01 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#122721 The big tent at Borkhonefest was full to capacity as Smokie took to the stage. The familiar sight of spinning fairground rides met us as we approached. It looked like a party venue if ever there was one. The crowd rose to the challenge and returned a loud and vociferous reaction to our set. It could easily have been a long night of celebration and table football except for the fact that we have two shows in two countries today and need to conserve a bit of energy for later. This is an interesting part of our touring year. I look forward to the challenge. 2012-8-4 08:19:52 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#122630 The town of Rattvik was enjoying an allday procession of American cars the biggest I have ever seen. I even wondered if there are more American cars here than in America. The result was a near standstill on the roads and a chance to take a really close look at some of these models. Eventually we reached the familiar flooded quarry which is Dalhalla. We last played this gig in 2007 and its an unforgettable venue due to the sheer size and scale of the quarry walls and the enormous amphitheatre which it houses. It seats around 4000 people most of whom were present last night. A stretch of water separates the band from the audience so that there is no chance to shake hands with anyone from onstage. Regardless of this the communication with the crowd was unhindered as their voices rang out through the microphones which were placed at either side of the stage to catch their reactions also known in the business as ambient mikes. If I never get a chance to play a flooded quarry again I shall a... 2012-8-2 06:21:35 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#122365 While in Britain the Olympic Opening Ceremony was under way Smokie took to the stage at Tollboden in Moss. A day of sun sea and pizza mellowed the mood and the resulting show alongside the waters edge had an atmosphere of happy celebration. Norwegians confirmed that summer had come late and was only here for three days before a return to the cold and cloudy conditions of previous weeks. The only thing to do was to get outside and stay there until properly cooked in true Brit fashion. Now I can look forward to the pleasant cooling sensation of tepid rain to ease the sunburn. 2012-7-28 10:57:24 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#122257 Since Smokies last appearance at Wrightegaarden there have been a few upgrades to the venue. It occupies a charming location in the centre of a very quaint waterside development that dates back to 1838. During Summer there are frequent shows held at this lovely venue from June to August. If you can think of a famous name of a band or individual theres a good chance that they have performed here. This was Smokies third appearance the last two being in 2006 and 2008. Tonight the venue was packed to bursting and everyone appeared ready to make a memorable evening. It helped that our onstage time was 8.00 p.m. because there was a lot of energy in the audience. Today had been the first hot day in this area and another one is promised tomorrow. Smokie can enjoy a day off in this beautiful location and a chance to kick back before embarking on a punishing schedule next week. 2012-7-25 22:17:11 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#121675 The Vig Festival is a major event in this part of Denmark pulling in crowds of 20000 and more. Smokie have been so busy touring every summer that we have been unavailable to book for this major and well organised event. Our last appearance in Vig was in 1999 so that gives you some idea just how busy we have been. It was a great pleasure to be back on the show and to help to bring some decent weather to the area. There had been thunderstorms in the afternoon that cleared perfectly in time for our set. The mighty crowd were in good voice and enjoyed drying out to a few of their favourite tunes. Smokie now take a break for 8 days before taking the show to Norway. I have something special to look forward to because I shall be attending a wedding on Saturday. Having missed most of the home celebrations for the last 24 years I may find myself in unfamiliar territory. The wedding suit is understandably absent since I have never needed one. Do I wear odd shoes on the day I think people might e... 2012-7-15 06:21:06 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#121628 The Orbaek Festival has been running for the last thirty years. The venue itself is a big tent surrounded by fairground rides. The tent was full to bursting and there were many more people standing outside who had a view of the stage. After a rare day of sunshine the mood was celebratory and the audience were eager to party with Smokie. This was our first time at this festival and I am guessing that it wont be our last. 2012-7-14 07:35:17 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#121570 Not even lost equipment in Amsterdam could mar the otherwise perfect evening in the town square in Vordingborg. Around 10000 people filled the square and some spilled out on to what was aptly named Smokie Mound because it was reminiscent of the familiar patch of ground at Wimbledon. Even the weather put on a special show for us and the sun shone for the entire show only retreating behind rain clouds again after we left the stage. Perhaps we have finally shaken off the old habit of bringing on precipitation by singing Have you ever seen the rain. It was good to see our Danish audience again and to know that we will be returning in August to play in Jutland at some very familiar venues. In the meantime we will be in Orbaek and Vig over the next couple of days both of these are new venues for us so there are still places in Denmark which give us a fresh experience. 2012-7-13 08:06:26 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#121312 The Storefjell Hotel and Resort cuts an impressive shape into the mountain close to Gol in Norway. And mountains are places which are increasingly appearing on Smokies date sheet. Its all familiar territory for me because I live amongst the mountains in The Highlands yet it is still a great thrill to be amongst the more loftier Norwegian variety. The hotel is a perfect retreat for destressing due to its remote location. Last night it hosted Smokies live show to a packed events hall. There was an atmosphere of celebration from the moment we first set foot in the door. We mingled with the crowd from the moment we checked in to the moment we left the hotel at 5.00 this morning. It would be hard to imagine so intimate a show running any better than it did last night. It would have been good to have spent longer in this resort hotel since it has so much to offer but as is normal for us we always rush in and out in a short space of time. Today I travel home on my birthday reaching my final d... 2012-7-8 11:21:10 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#120879 Hattfjelldal is a very small town. From the hotel we can see the town the stage and the airfield. We arrived in four single engine light aircraft from Rost a journey of one hour and forty five minutes. The sky darkened and deposited lots of rain on this little town. However all was clear for the evening and the crowd gathered round the stage from the first note to the last. Smokies twoday experience has been an interesting and challenging one. So often we are invited to play in very remote places which are difficult to reach and when we finally arrive it is clear that all the effort was worthwhile. Our journey home begins in those small light aircraft and then on three further flights to our UK airports. I think I get home about 12.45 a.m. tomorrow. But what an adventure 2012-7-1 07:54:23 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#120841 Our hosts on the lovely island of Rost have shown us great hospitality during our time here. Our brief visit included a twohour boat trip around the islands to view seals and birdlife. There is a very relaxed and calm mood here which easily spreads amongst its visitors. The emphasis at last nights show at Querinihallen was on family. As we have so often noticed in Norway there are three generations of people in attendance at the show. Many very young people were at the front of the stage and really showing us an enthusiastic reaction to our music. I understand that it is customary for children from the age of 16 to move to high school in Bodo since the island doesnt support that level of education. Everyone I met was cheery and friendly. This is a real community with people who watch out for each other. They were unanimous in their delight to finally have Smokie playing in their community. What a pleasure for us as well. 2012-6-30 06:44:11 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#120806 We Smokie guys get some real opportunities during our illustrious career and one such opportunity is in the form of travel to remote and unusual locations. We took no less than five flights to reach our destination yesterday and arrived in Rost in the Lofoten Islands west of Bodo in Norway. I have taken a good walk round the island this morning and made a few observations. We are in the land of the midnight sun so there is no darkness at all. This gives an opportunity to explore for a full 24 hours in excellent light conditions. As with many parts of Norway there is a strong association with the water. Seabirds fill the air continuously. Killer whales and seals are close to the Bryggehotell from where we will take a RIB craft today to explore our surroundings. It really is a paradise with a difference and is particularly welcome at this time as we are sitting well north of the extreme conditions which are affecting the UK at present. Apparently the low pressure is on its way tomorrow b... 2012-6-29 10:13:02 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#120609 A once large and successful shoe factory made an excellent site for a Smokie concert in Kornwestheim near Stuttgart. The courtyard at Salamander Areal even had great acoustics for the event. There was plenty of seating for those who wished to sit down but that changed early in the set as the audience gained in inspiration. Inside the office area a continuous open lift system provided amusement whilst we waited to hit the stage. Smokies show marked the end of a fourday festival at this venue and one which may well be repeated. 2012-6-26 11:26:42 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#120541 The atmosphere in Mestni Park was highly charged as Smokie took to the stage. Not even a disappointing result from the penalty shootout in the England versus Italy game could wipe the sheen off so perfect an evening. The park was full the air was hot and the audience were ready for a party. Our second appearance in Slovenia or maybe I should say sLOVEnia this year was an unsurpassed success. More visits to this part of the world are already in the planning stage and I shall be happy to return. 2012-6-25 06:48:07 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#120427 The black clouds cleared after the previous nights massive thunderstorm to leave a perfectly clear sky on a hot sunny evening in Buchlovice. The attendance at the castle matched that of our previous visit on 23rd May 2008 and the response was every bit as good. To look out on a sea of faces and see everyone enjoying the evening so much is the best any entertainer can experience. The audience and band were like one huge single entity moving together and celebrating together. Dreams do come true and last nights show was a real dream. 2012-6-22 23:55:27 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#120122 Nestled into pretty surroundings high above sea level in Wolfhalden was the festival known as Rock the Wolves. Even at this altitude the sun was roasting hot and the audience were keen as mustard. Perfect conditions for a great music night and that is exactly what happened. Some people had travelled a great distance to see the show including a few who had been present in Dietikon the night before. Theres always a big welcome for Smokie in Switzerland and the outdoor gigs happen in all seasons. Last night just happened to perfectly coincide with a ridge of high pressure. Its just as likely that next time we will be playing up a mountain in deep snow to a crowd of skiers dressed in snow gear. Variety is the spice of life 2012-6-17 09:46:53 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#120086 Theres nothing like a gig in a tin shed to set temperatures rising. This particular tin shed was Sounddock 14 in Dietikon a venue which was due to close its doors for ever after this evenings show. There was a mixture of sadness and elation since the gig was not just sold out but there had been many requests for tickets over the last few days which had been impossible to fulfil. There is only one last night it cannot be repeated. Smokie were honoured to be asked to play the final show at this popular venue. The air was suitably steamy and the atmosphere was terrific. In addition to a great gig we had the extra pleasure of finding out that England had beaten Sweden 32 in the Euro 2012 match that finished just as we left the stage. Sometimes things just work out perfectly and last night was one of those occasions. 2012-6-15 23:25:21 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#119877 An impressive procession passed through the picturesque village of Drumnadrochit home of Nessie on Saturday 9th June. For a look at some of the footage click on the link httpwww.youtube.comwatchvAZddA4T4pyY 2012-6-12 18:40:11 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#119371 It was good to have all our own gear back again after it was located in Amsterdam. There was a huge lineup of acts at The Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen for a show that began at 2 oclock in the afternoon. Our audience had already seen nearly nine hours of entertainment before Smokie hit the stage. However there was no sign that the crowd were weary and they greeted us with rapturous applause and enthusiastic reactions. Tomorrow we take a short break including a weekend off. I shall be able to witness the Olympic Torch come through the village of Drumnadrochit on 9th June and also sketch out some ideas for the sixth track from The Code Within. I expect the garden will also present a few new challenges for me during the week as it usually does at this time of year. In the meantime there are two days of celebration in aid of our queens Diamond Jubilee. Plenty of partying to be done. 2012-6-3 00:32:07 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#119336 Its the first day of Summer and the festivals have started across Europe. It can also mean a little bit of disruption when it comes to trying to get all the bands gear and personal luggage to their destination. Such a problem occurred today and presented a challenge for Smokie to present the same show while using unfamiliar equipment. The result was good the sound was terrific and the audience were happy. Now we just need to link up with all that equipment in Berlin before travelling on to Dusseldorf for tomorrows gig in Oberhausen. Its all in a days work. 2012-6-1 21:59:09 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#118958 Sauda was baking hot as we stepped off the ferry in the early afternoon. Its such a pleasure to find such a pretty town enjoying an unusual burst of high pressure instead of the cool rainy conditions which Norway has so often experienced at this time of year. The heat lifted everyones mood and the crowd identified with every song and gave an ecstatic reaction to the show. There was just one question as we left the stage will we come again If theyre asking then we are coming. Its a date and I look forward to our next appearance here. We will be back on the fjord again at 7.45 in the morning. I expect the cool wind on the top deck might help to ease the sunburn from the previous day. 2012-5-26 23:16:56 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#118604 It was an auspicious night on which to set off for the Dortmund Westfalenhalle since the Munich v. Chelsea game was in full swing. Extra time just delayed the agony but the result justified the wait. Even the Oldiemarathons timing was adjusted accordingly. As Smokie took to the stage the audience were mostly unaware of the result of the penalty shootout or even that there had been one. But they were on good form and gave us a rousing welcome. Nothing gets in the way of a good night out and it seemed that both German and English fans were prepared to accept the result however it turned out. I have not personally been a football supporter but I have to say that last nights game was too exciting to ignore. Smokie will be back in Germany again in two weeks. 2012-5-20 14:03:52 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#118562 Its been another historic day this time in Germanys oldest city Trier. A day off between gigs gave me a chance to have a look around the Basilica and gardens and marvel at the wondrous statues. Much of the Roman influence remains and it is juxtaposed with the more modern side to 21st Century living like Pizza Hut and CampA. It seems that lessons were learned from the first night in Bamberg and the show at Arena Trier ran like clockwork with perfect timing and excellent sound. The audience responded accordingly and gave us a mighty round of applause at the end of our 60minute slot. Our German tour moves on to a very familiar piece of real estate i.e. Westfalenhalle in Dortmund where we have performed very many times in the past. Even the sun was shining to welcome our return to this great city. I think there will be very much interest in the outcome of a certain football game tonight. Both the English and the Germans are looking forward to it with great anticipation. 2012-5-19 14:24:38 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#118448 I was lucky enough to be in Bamberg for an extra day and took the opportunity to look around. Its an impressive city with enormous history as you will see if you take a look at httpen.wikipedia.orgwikiBamberg. My reason for being here of course is not as a tourist but as a touring musician. Theres not much difference really except that I go to work in the evening after a day of viewing the sights. The Stechert Arena was the setting for the first of three Oldiemarathons this week. Marathon is actually a very apt title since it is the audience who enjoy a long run of favourite artists. Between 7.00 p.m. and 12.45 a.m. the music is non stop. You need stamina to fully enjoy the experience and our audience certainly had plenty of it. By the time Smokie struck our final chord the audience were all on their feet. It was the best way to celebrate and keep warm in this coldest May since records began. Perhaps a little more of the same will help to stabilise the planets weather conditions. 2012-5-17 07:35:21 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#118106 Inspiration has again struck and the fifth track for The Code Within titled Ascension is recorded and mastered. As mentioned on the home page I plan to upload a fuller version of the album in September when more tracks are ready. I had a tune in my head since my father died in September 2006 and I needed to create this piece in his memory. I am very happy with the results and also with the progress on the album. It is quite likely that I shall have all nine tracks by the end of the year but if not I shall carry the project into 2013 and make the album longer. Time is not important since I am the artist the engineer the publisher and the record company. 2012-5-11 15:44:32 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#117123 So far the musical backing is complete for two songs Help me remember and Love is all weve got and work begins on the third song Baby this ship aint going down in the morning. The songs are sounding great and the final mixes should produce some top class Smokie material for the next album. 2012-4-25 18:36:18 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#116789 Our Belarus adventure ended at the brand new Minsk House of Culture where the audience gave us a very warm welcome with rapturous applause. A beautiful evening ended happily in an intimate restaurant where our guests were similarly hospitable. Now starts the long trip home via Manchester. 2012-4-20 12:57:07 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#116695 In a brand new Palace of Culture Smokie celebrated our return to Gomel. There was little time to walk round this beautiful city with its immaculate park but we were honoured with the opportunity to watch the Chelsea versus Barcelona game in a Cinema Cafe after the show. Today we make an early start for Minsk and our final show before I make the long trek home via Manchester and Teesside. 2012-4-19 05:57:07 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#116638 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 90 517 Key Note Music 4 1 634 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS During the afternoon in Bobruisk Smokie visited a school specialising in the English language. There we gave a press conference and answered questions from many bright young students. We were also treated to an ... 2012-4-17 21:51:27 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#116479 Chesterfield is not only notable for having a cathedral with a crooked spire but also for being home to a good number of Smokie fans many of whom were at the show last night at The Winding Wheel. This was our third appearance at the venue and the best night we have enjoyed there to date. It was the final night of the UK minitour and it brought the tour to a very happy ending. Some of our fans have followed us throughout this tour and have commented that the sound was excellent. There are more UK dates in the planning which I shall post on this website very soon. Now I can enjoy a day of mystery and intrigue and see where my instincts lead me. Will it be the seaside I shall find out shortly. 2012-4-15 09:17:06 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#116432 The Picturedrome in Holmfirth has a certain rock and roll charm which may be summed up nowadays as shabby chic. It is a favourite venue for locals and has attracted the attention of many a touring band. It was Smokies turn last night to make the walls tremble and the people jump up and down all of which we did successfully. I couldnt resist the temptation to play a little practical joke on my colleagues. This I did by playing the theme tune to The Last of the Summer Wine instead of playing the intro to Will you still love me tomorrow. Unprepared as they were for this assault it cracked them up with laughter from which they had to recover before launching into the wellknown ballad. I expect that the people of Holmfirth are very accustomed to references to the longrunning TV comedy series but they still appreciated the surprise. Anyone who has been exposed to the Wallace and Gromit films will immediately be reminded of them by the voice of Peter Sallis. Holmfirth rocked last night and ye... 2012-4-14 11:56:48 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#116387 In the land of salty sea air fish and chips and amusement arcades Smokie were given a massive welcome at the Embassy Theatre. Even though the weather is still cool and breezy there was a certain seasonal nonchalance prevalent. The audience werent quite ready to take off all their clothes and prance around as invited by Mike but they were in celebratory mood. An interesting fact emerged as a result of an email from Chris Tarrant presenter of Who wants to be a millionaire. On the occasion of the first episode Chris sang Living next door to Alice as he left the dressing room. Apparently it has become a wellworn habit and he has continued doing it for over 600 episodes since the programme first appeared on national television. Thats the spirit Chris. Maybe he can continue singing when the cameras start to roll. 2012-4-13 12:11:02 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#116314 A sellout concert at the lovely old Darlington Civic Theatre began this mini UK tour after the Easter break. During the afternoon Smokie were involved with a film shoot for Russian TV with special relevance to the Olympic Games. Track suits were optional. The show featured one of the Russian peoples favourite songs What can I do that featured our presenter Dmitri singing along with an acoustic guitar. The final edit will appear on national television. Back to the tour and each night the show is opened with an acoustic set by Stu Page and his son Tom. The audience rewarded us richly with a very vociferous rendition of the songs they knew best. It was a very strong start to the tour and one that has attracted many invitations for us to return soon. 2012-4-12 08:21:23 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#114904 Good humour abounded last night at Smokies final show on the Swedish Tour. The audience seem to appreciate the fact that a closing night has special features and that in a way they are getting extra bits in the show as a result. More and more it seems that live bands are appreciated for the ad libs and the human element that goes into a live performance. There is even a case for putting some of that looseness into a recording as we did on Take a minute. Our public are seeing Smokie as we really are and its refreshing to keep this honesty in the show. Meeting the fans at the signing session after the gig also helps to bring us all closer. Thank you to all of our Swedish fans for being with us on this tour. We shall return in the summer. 2012-3-19 10:02:52 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#114842 There was definitely something in the air last night for the shouts and applause from the audience were a little bit louder and the dancing a little more energetic. Perhaps it had something to do with the St Patricks Day celebrations. I noticed on my way back to the hotel that the streets were full of revellers and the bars looked full to bursting. With only one week before the clocks go forward again there seems already to be a spring awakening. Smokies tour of Sweden draws to a close tonight with a final show in Vaxjo. I have enjoyed this tour immensely and look forward to returning to Sweden again in the summer and also in December. 2012-3-18 07:47:39 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#114800 One of the best ways of getting a reaction from an audience is by waving their countrys flag in front of them. That certainly brought a huge vociferous reaction last night as did the invitation to join in with the songs that they knew a big OK came the reply. Our audience at Halmstad Teater were sure they were going out for a good time and that made for a very easy evening of entertainment. It was one of those nights that just passed too quickly. It seemed to me that we had hardly started before it was time to wrap things up. There is a saying that time passes more quickly when you are enjoying yourself. This was never truer than last night. 2012-3-17 07:45:05 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#114716 Lorensbergsteatern is so close to the Konserthuset in Gothenburg that its nearly possible to step in the wrong door. The atmosphere the moment we walked into the venue was cosy and friendly. We have stayed next door to this lovely theatre for many of our visits to Gothenburg yet this was our first concert there. Our Smokie audience were highly receptive and in good party spirit. As the weekend approaches people seem to loosen up a bit perhaps because they can leave the responsibilities of work behind for a while and escape into the world of music. Thats Smokies world most of the time so my escape is into the world of bookkeeping for the band. Thats what keeps my feet planted on the ground. Lovely as it would be to only think about music I do need to have a regular dose of reality to remind me that there is life outside of entertainment. For the moment though its all about music. 2012-3-16 07:37:04 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#114648 The news that the planets Jupiter Venus and Mars were clearly visible in the night sky came shortly after hearing that the show was at 7.00 p.m. and not at 7.30 p.m. as the schedule stated. This caused a sudden rush to try to take in the impressive view of the sky as well as prepare to be on stage. The upshot was that the intro was running as we came back from marvelling at planets and the show started abruptly. However this brief astronomical episode may well have given added inspiration to our performance. Not even technical hitches could throw us off course for they were handled with great ease. The audience at Jonkopings Kulturhuset enjoyed a very relaxed show that may well have been the result of two very easy days in Stockholm. 2012-3-15 10:50:08 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#114401 I took the opportunity to take a walk around Uppsala before the show and found a city of great beauty. I was reminded very much of Cambridge because of all the bicycles the university the cathedral the river and the very lovely architecture. The city oozes culture. It is no surprise then that we had a cultured audience at Konsert and Kongress last night. Sunday night always has a different feel to it because people have had the day to themselves and a chance to reflect on the week that passed and the one to come. Regardless of this the audience reacted with great enthusiasm to Smokies performance. Now we have two days to do some of our own reflecting and maybe come up with some new song material since we are considering going back into the studio shortly. All free time is valuable for such matters and there is no time like the present to grab that opportunity. 2012-3-12 09:28:32 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#114312 Breaking away from Stockholm we hit that E18 for the first time. Our Swedish tour is well planned and gives ample time for rest in between shows. This is well reflected in the energy behind the performances. Last nights concert at Gavles Konserthus was highly energetic and was rewarded with similar enthusiasm from the audience. Smokies return to full Swedish touring has been an unqualified success paving the way for future returns to this country. The tour moves on today to Uppsala and an opportunity for some of our members to catch a football game. 2012-3-11 08:41:26 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#114248 I am reliably informed that the PA that Smokie used at Vasteras Konserthus last night had only been previously used by Madonna and Lady Gaga. Considering their personal tastes for high fidelity I was not at all surprised to hear that our sound was crisp and punchy and filled the auditorium with sweet high definition sound. The audience were delighted and rewarded us with very warm applause. This Swedish tour comprises of some very familiar venues to which we have become very accustomed. Its good to be back on full Swedish tours again after an absence of a few years. Smokie plan to meet our audience every night and sign autographs at the merchandise stall each evening. That is always a pleasure as well as a great way to find out exactly what the people thought of the show. 2012-3-10 07:44:59 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#114200 It was a repeat show at Rival this time without the cameras and location recording. It would have been a very fine night to make a DVD since the audience were on such good form. Spring is almost in the air and people seem to be shaking off their winter sleepiness in favour of a more energetic and enthusiastic mood. Smokie are back on tour and that means lots of shows in a great variety of countries. The airlines must be delighted. Not even Coronal Mass Ejections from the sun have prevented a show which was destined to happen. Luckily the crew made it to the gig with a few minutes to spare after a flight delay from Leeds Bradford. Its all part of the rich tapestry of touring. I wonder what today has in store for us. I know what the schedule says but is that the whole story We shall see. 2012-3-9 07:44:57 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#114038 I may take the words to Living Next Door to Alice quite literally today since it is my 24th anniversary of being part of this amazing band. My origins are printed on this website so there is no need to remind you where it all started for me. What shall I do to celebrate this landmark Answer take two flights to Sweden of course. What else 2012-3-7 08:06:52 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#112980 I have uploaded the video to Not Far Away to YouTube. The movie was kindly created by Daniella Seggewiss. Here is the link httpwww.youtube.comwatchvaH6eOrNaSF0amplistUU26J3tD6UgUw9UDE7I72MQwampindex1ampfeatureplcp 2012-2-21 14:31:39 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#112803 The Rica Sunnfjord Hotel in Forde is a repeat booking for Smokie. Our last appearance here was in September 2009. The show was a sellout that attracted a crowd from much of the surrounding area. Guests booked in to the hotel for the weekend with Saturday night in mind as the big party night. This gig has a lot in common with playing the ships in as much as the audience and the band mix together whenever we leave our rooms. I particularly enjoy this venue for the great atmosphere and powerful sound. When a show goes as well as last night its a fair bet that we will see this one on our date sheet again in the near future. I shall look forward to playing it again. 2012-2-19 07:58:56 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#112328 Smokies touring year began with a stunning sellout concert to 4000 at Ljubljanas Hala Tivoli. Its around twenty years since we were last in Slovenia. Absence makes the heart grow fonder so its said and our absence seemed to coax the crowd into a frenzied reaction. Our promoter told us that no other international band has achieved this result. It was a great way to start 2012 after our January break. Now we have ventured to this part of Europe there is already talk of other bookings in the locality. We have made new friends and that is what touring is all about. 2012-2-12 05:48:40 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#112089 For those who are interested in looking upwards at night time I recommend that you lock on to the coordinates 15h 19m 20s 28deg 58 28 in the Constellation of Libra. There you may see the star which was named Smokie on 24th December 1997. Next time I am at an observatory with a powerful enough telescope I shall be doing the same. To see the authentication view Smokies Star on this website. 2012-2-8 18:15:42 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#111968 Ive been watching the website tally to see how many people are logging in to this site and am happy to see that I have exceeded the 50000 mark. Thank you for staying with me. I shall continue to bring you the best of the news about Smokie as well as all developments on The Code Within. Also there will shortly be another YouTube upload and maybe another personal message. Tour dates are changing every couple of days so keep looking and you might find Smokie in your neighbourhood. 2012-2-7 10:17:12 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#111915 The Cedar Court was the venue for Smokies 20th anniversary dinner in aid of The Annette Fox Leukaemia Charity at Bradford Royal Infirmary. There were just short of 400 guests and the function room felt like an improvement on past venues. The stage setting allowed for much better audience contact. It was a great evening and there were many congratulations on achieving this milestone in our fundraising efforts. Regardless of austerity measures people were still able to put their hands in their pockets and produce money in response to Terrys appeal to encourage him to sing Stand by me. It seems like we have found the right place for our future charity dinners. 2012-2-6 15:06:28 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#111325 When the inspiration comes we just have to go with the flow. Thats what I did yesterday and ended up writing and mastering the new track Merkabah inside 24 hours. Usually its not good practice to master on the same day as recording but I completed most of the music yesterday and just added a few parts today before listening with critical ears. I am happy with the results and look forward to writing another one before uploading the whole album in April. Its been a pleasure to have all the time I needed to create some new pieces. I am back to work with Smokie next week so things could start to get hectic from now on. 2012-1-28 16:59:21 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#111160 At the beginning of the project I planned to divide the artwork into nine parts and upload a track at a time. However single uploads are not cost effective so I now intend to provide the whole picture along with the next upload which will include Cosmic Field Light Beings Mantras new and Merkabah new and not yet started. The plan is that each year I shall refresh the track listing and keep adding tracks as I have the opportunity. The album will simply grow in time and may well have over nine tracks when finished. Thats the plan lets see what happens. 2012-1-25 15:59:59 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#110601 Theres decorating to be done on two properties so I am turning my hand to brushes and rollers this week to give these places a fresher look. I am greatly aided by the lovely mild weather we are enjoying which makes it much easier to get around than if I was wading through a foot of snow. In between times I am adding the finishing touches to Mantras which was sounding great last time I switched on the Fantom. Holiday Not for me thanks. 2012-1-18 08:44:00 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#109390 In some ways tonights show at The Kremlin Palace was very similar to our appearance there at the end of 2004 yet in other ways it was quite different. The stage set up was far better and the sound was good and rocky. The assembled dignitaries were well into our music and they were at the letting their hair down stage of the evening. It is a sobering thought that the most senior of political leaders enjoy boogying along to Who the fuck is Alice Even the security guards seemed to be a lot more relaxed and friendly than in previous times. I think that Russia is learning to hang loose. I can well imagine Smokie getting a third invitation to play at The Kremlin one day. We seem to tick all the right boxes here. 2011-12-30 19:51:14 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#108896 That was the best example of shaking their asses I have seen during And the night stood still at Apollo Club in Tallinn. The audience were positively rowdy before Smokie hit the stage which is exactly the right mood for the occasion. This was our final gig before Christmas and what better a place to be than The European Capital of Culture 2011 It will be a great pleasure to be home for Christmas and the New Year. Now Im looking forward to the big day. Only seven sleeps to go and there will be wild tearing of paper from presents. Last minute arrangements are being made in haste for The Kremlin gig and then I have the whole month of January to build up the energy for another busy touring year. There could be a lot of snow shovelling if last year is any guide. 2011-12-18 08:37:27 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#108787 The introduction music to Smokies live show Blue Intro has been running for some five years now. I have uploaded the song to You Tube accompanied by some suitable photos from around the world. Take a look at httpwww.youtube.comwatchvjTAxddJN6g 2011-12-15 15:45:16 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#108570 O Carol never sounded better than last night at The Belfast Waterfront where Smokie were joined again by Pat McManus on violin as well as Alex Harris on mandolin. The crowd were keyed up before we hit the stage and they were frenetic by the end of the show. That was our most enthusiastic Christmas celebration to date and it seems likely that any others will seem like an anticlimax after such an energetically charged evening. The Waterfront is an old friend of ours and the people of Belfast make us extremely welcome. I noticed very many faces amongst the audience from other parts of the world as well as other parts of the UK. Belfast has a lot going for it from a tourists point of view as well as having one of the best venues in Ireland. Smokie could well make this evening a regular fixture in future date sheet permitting. 2011-12-12 09:01:22 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#108517 Whiskey in the jar was never better received than here in Killarney. Its almost an anthem in these parts. Its like going to Ilkley and singing On Ilkley Moor baht at translated on Ilkley Moor without a hat. No translations were necessary last night and the audience warmed to Smokie as soon as their Christmas Dinner started to digest. I know what its like to dance vigorously after a heavy meal for I do it every year at the Bradford Charity. Now we have to travel nearly the length of Ireland for our show at The Belfast Waterfront. No snow this year and a much better chance of leaving the country on our chosen flight tomorrow. 2011-12-11 09:15:42 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#108452 If its Christmas it must be The Travellers Friend Royal Theatre shortened to TF. This is a well trodden path for Smokie. For my part I had to divert to Gatwick in order to reach Knock after storm winds put planes in the wrong part of the country yesterday. An adventurous travel day ended in a very familiar gig with an audience who were ready to party. This is the first in a series of shows which anticipate the man in the red suit. Can you hear those bells ringing 2011-12-10 00:59:29 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#108033 I have never before played in an inflatable hall. Theres always a first time and our venue was one such place. It is set in a water park with tennis courts and other facilities. This is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Moscow and a very pleasant place to finish our mini Russian tour. The reaction has been mighty and there are already discussions being held to bring us back very soon i.e. some time in December. The year is not over until the final booking is made and although it looks like we are free after 17th December the picture could be rather different. Russians wish to see much more of Smokie and we are in a position to make them happy with a yes or a dah as it is here. 2011-12-2 20:20:38 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#107893 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 94 536 Key Note Music 4 1 658 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS In the voluminous area occupied by Luzhniki Stadium and its associated halls we played to a capacity house of extremely enthusiastic Muscovites. It was commented that we hadnt been in Moscow for over three years... 2011-12-1 06:08:40 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#107675 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 87 497 Key Note Music 4 1 610 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS Still in the Komi Republic we moved on to the oil producing town of Ukhta. It was a drive through unspoiled country with very few houses or settlements. The roads were completely covered in snow but that doesnt ... 2011-11-28 03:53:54 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#107618 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 73 419 Key Note Music 3 1 514 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS Palace Hotel has an imposing view over the snowy streets of Syktyvkar. It was all rock and roll on the 15th floor where we entertained a select crowd in a room usually associated with cabaret. Rock and roll is a... 2011-11-27 04:31:21 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#107154 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 78 445 Key Note Music 3 1 546 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS The inside roof of the Stadthalle in Zwickau resembles an alien craft as seen in Hollywoods depiction. However there was little time to look upwards as we entertained the crowd in this great venue. Germany is on... 2011-11-20 00:28:49 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#107135 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 125 717 Key Note Music 5 1 880 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS The Christmas kiosks were out in the streets of Cottbus today in readiness for the big run on Gluhwein and hot drinks. Santa is just round the corner in fact I think I saw him practising eating mince pies just... 2011-11-19 13:10:18 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#106725 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 127 728 Key Note Music 6 1 894 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS It feels like Smokie mania is back in Sweden after the rapturous response at Hotell Sodra Berget in Sundsvall. The audience were with us from the first note to the last showing their enthusiasm freely. All this... 2011-11-13 05:02:55 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#106660 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 89 508 Key Note Music 4 1 623 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS Everything was jolly at Merry Can in Ornkoldsvik. The audience were close enough to reach out and help play our instruments and they were packed in so tight that there wasnt room for even one more. The sound was... 2011-11-12 07:08:49 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#106611 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 51 292 Key Note Music 2 1 358 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS Addahallen echoed to the sound of Smokie music and the audience were with us every step of the way. It was a rare honour to find ourselves in Skelleftea and there were some charming remarks from members of the a... 2011-11-11 07:31:41 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#106534 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 93 535 Key Note Music 4 1 657 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS A bright sunny day set the mood for a fabulous gig at Luleas Kulturens Hus a place we last visited on 31st October 2007. I remember thinking then just four years ago that its much too mild here for the building ... 2011-11-10 06:14:53 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#106028 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 105 601 Key Note Music 5 1 738 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS There are always lots of flowers presented at our shows in The Ukraine. Last night was a little different however in as much as flowers kept on being offered at all sorts of times in an ad hoc type of way. Our ... 2011-11-3 03:09:29 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#105941 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 134 766 Key Note Music 6 1 940 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS The evening began with the customary press conference during which we were asked how it happens that Smokie are in Gorlivka. We replied that firstly we were invited and that it is satisfying to t... 2011-11-2 04:10:21 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#105848 We travelled across country on some of the worst roads I have seen. They make the British potholes look like scratches and more accurately resemble earthquaketorn roads. The journey was through extensive agricultural areas which suggest that The Ukraine has the capacity to not only feed itself but also a large portion of Europe. Regardless of this they apparently import much agricultural produce. A day off was very welcome at this stage of the tour there being some very long journeys yet to cover before we finish here. 2011-11-1 05:49:51 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#105767 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 104 595 Key Note Music 4 1 730 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS The venue in Poltava looked sparkling and fresh. Architecture in The Ukraine is magnificent. The newer structures are built to match the existing ones. The auditorium was full to capacity and the Sunday night a... 2011-10-31 05:53:12 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#105703 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 67 387 Key Note Music 3 1 475 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS Lights filled the arena at Palace Ukraine as hundreds of mobile phones lit up to the tune of If you think you know how to love me. That is one enduring memory of last nights show here in Kiev. The atmosphere was... 2011-10-30 07:53:13 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#105569 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 58 333 Key Note Music 2 1 408 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS A longer than anticipated travel day left us under time pressure to prepare for the gig in Odessa. However a late start is not an unusual thing on this tour of The Ukraine. The audience were thunderous in their ... 2011-10-28 05:00:11 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#105495 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 169 964 Key Note Music 8 1 1183 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS After a very shaky start which included half the touring party being delayed and missing baggage we were forced to spend the night in Kiev and drive the following day to Moldova once all luggage had been recla... 2011-10-27 06:26:03 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#105197 I asked a Norwegian last night if there was any truth in the statistic which was quoted to me in the 1980s about Bergen namely that there are seven women for every man in this city. Apparently that is not the case however glancing around the Askoy Forum during our gig I could easily have been convinced that there were seven times as many women in the room as there were men. I suppose if you are mostly known for singing love songs you will attract the romantics who are mostly female. That makes our view from the stage very pleasant indeed. It was great to be back in this beautiful part of the world. 2011-10-23 00:54:00 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#105159 For me its been a day of mystery and intrigue. What started as a routine flight to Manchester from Aberdeen soon became a challenge. Since BMI had only one plane in Aberdeen and that was crippled by a non specified technical fault there were few options out of the airport. My old favourite KLM was never mentioned of course because this was a rival airline. Eventually my route was mapped out for me with good connections on paper via Heathrow and Munich. But fog and Angela Merkel opening a new runway at Frankfurt caused a backlog of delayed flights and my deadline came closer and closer while I still sat in Munich wondering whether the band would start without me. Luckily the audience at Christian Bucher Halle were in good spirits and well aware of the delay. In the end Smokie were about 25 minutes late in hitting the stage. I arrived ready to go on because my luggage was still in Munich so there was no changing for me. The night ended well. Days like this happen sometimes when you trave... 2011-10-22 00:47:44 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#104907 In the 1970s the gigs were mostly clubs like The Regency Room in Vauxhall Caravan Park. Smokie cut our teeth on club gigs. People sat at tables with their arms folded waiting to be entertained. That was the best apprenticeship we could have had for it prepared us for everything that came after. Sunday night was a little different. We were given a huge introduction by the master of ceremonies who explained how busy we had been and worked the crowd up to an excited state. The venue mostly plays host to tribute bands so an original band is a welcome departure from the norm. Every song was received with enthusiasm not just the old ones which are more familiar to most. Some people had travelled a long way to see the show. I met people from Denmark who were there just to see Smokie. For some Great Yarmouth is an easy destination. For me it is a 590mile 11hour drive which I embarked on immediately after the gig with great anticipation. It was nice to get home without the need to book yet ano... 2011-10-18 13:24:47 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#104713 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 115 660 Key Note Music 5 1 810 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS It was everything beginning with s today sun sea sand and Smokie in Scarborough. The wave of high pressure brought people to the seaside resort for a last chance to catch some rays before the return of the big... 2011-10-16 00:53:40 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#104658 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 140 801 Key Note Music 6 1 983 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS I should be careful what I promise in future. The projector was again shy to make an appearance at The Victoria Theatre Halifax due to a faulty bulb. Well it has been in storage for some years so it probably ne... 2011-10-15 01:20:17 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#104609 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 112 640 Key Note Music 5 1 785 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS The audience at Hull City Hall loved the acoustic set. There was a standing ovation from some of them and enthusiastic applause from the rest. Regardless of a power interruption the show ran smoothly with an ex... 2011-10-14 07:16:52 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#104292 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 88 502 Key Note Music 4 1 616 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS Theres one very good way to launch the opening of a new football arena and that is to invite a couple of rock bands to christen the turf. Those two bands were The Scorpions 8th October and Smokie 9th October. The... 2011-10-10 06:29:39 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#104204 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 183 1045 Key Note Music 8 2 1283 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS Playing in Randers is like coming home. Our association goes back a long way through several Smokie albums. The memories are very precious. We have seen a whole generation grow up since the beginning of this ... 2011-10-9 03:10:31 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#104152 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 113 647 Key Note Music 5 1 794 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS It may have cooled down a little outside yesterday but that certainly wasnt the case in Vendiahallen in Hjorring where the heat was intense in the packed hall. It reminded me of the sweaty gigs Smokie used to d... 2011-10-8 07:49:27 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#104116 Check out the latest updates to the schedule in November if you are in Germany or Sweden. The details are becoming clearer as we get nearer to the dates. More information will be available soon and you can be sure it will be on this website if it is available anywhere. 2011-10-7 14:59:42 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#103893 Its getting very exciting at CERN in Geneva where the physicists are conducting A Large Ion Collider Experiment ALICE to determine the existence of even smaller particles than previously known. Whats this got to do with Smokie Its a tenuous connection but anything to do with Alice has got to arouse our interest. Check it out on Google. It may just change your universe 2011-10-4 17:50:43 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#103703 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 90 516 Key Note Music 4 1 633 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS The Faroese people dont go out until late. Our concert at Hollin a Halsi was originally scheduled for 2.00 a.m. but was brought forward to 1.00 a.m. to help us to prepare for an early flight to Copenhagen. The v... 2011-10-2 11:54:46 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#103638 The Kongrescenter was already very hot when we entered it yesterday afternoon much like the rest of Zealand which was basking in 29 degrees with a cloudless sky. If this is autumn I would like more of it. The heat caused people to hit the streets just to get away from the buildings. It felt more like June than September. Smokies twoset gig the same as we played in Australia last November was received with wild and steamy enthusiasm. The audience and band sweated together. This was the first in a series of Scandinavian shows that take us through to the middle of November. I expect in that time we will see some dramatic changes in weather conditions but I know the reaction inside the venues will always be just as warm regardless of the mercury reading. 2011-9-30 23:58:36 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#103162 Vienna was basking in the autumn sun and looking splendid. Smokies concert was for the Almdudler company makers of the famous Austrian soft drink. No expense was spared and the venue was the magnificent Rathaus in Lichtenfelsgasse a venue I remember playing 23 years ago on the Dont worry be happy tour of 1988. The crowd looked smart in their national costume lederhosen for the gents and long dresses for the ladies. They were on the right wavelength for Smokie turning a dressy occasion into a viable rock gig. Maybe that delicious soft drink will make it to the UK. There are plans to do so. 2011-9-24 00:01:14 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#103062 Take a quick journey round the world with Smokie. It will only take a minute or more.httpwww.youtube.comwatchv5Pj2qshRyHw 2011-9-22 12:31:59 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#102644 To view the latest video of Light Beings from the project The Code Within follow the linkhttpwww.youtube.comwatchvw7i2YUnsd3c 2011-9-16 17:31:27 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#100438 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 103 588 Key Note Music 4 1 722 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS Smokies final show for the summer was for the company Protektiv and held in Rodmyr near Skien in Norway. It was a large corporate event that attracted 3500 people from 200 different companies. Apparently the ti... 2011-8-14 07:23:15 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#100332 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 101 579 Key Note Music 4 1 711 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS The show in Boras is the last in a season of Thursday night concerts during the summer. A 20000strong crowd filled the town square. They sounded in good voice and looked to be in very good spirits. There is one... 2011-8-12 00:37:12 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#99983 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 92 525 Key Note Music 4 1 644 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS As the clouds lifted and made way for some brilliant sunny weather there were very many people out in the parks and gardens around Jessheim where we were staying. The auditorium at Arnes was full to capacity wit... 2011-8-7 00:05:43 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#99850 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 138 792 Key Note Music 6 1 972 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS Although summer is nearly over some of us are still waiting for it to start. Smokies final show in Denmark for this season was in Odder. Shortly after we arrived at the venue the rain began prompting the openin... 2011-8-5 08:25:52 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#99483 Normal.dotm 0 0 1 98 564 Key Note Music 4 1 692 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostyleparent msopaddingalt0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt msoparamargin0cm msoparamarginbottom.0001pt msopaginationwidoworphan fontsize12.0pt fontfamilyTimes New Roman msoasciifontfamilyCambria msoasciithemefontminorlatin msofareastfontfamilyTimes New Roman msofareastthemefontminorfareast msohansifontfamilyCambria msohansithemefontminorlatin msoansilanguageENUS I feel that I have come to know Judenburg very well in the last 28 hours. I checked out the venue yesterday morning while walking around the town and was impressed with the organization that has been put into thi... 2011-7-31 00:00:57 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#99454 Last night Smokie and Sweet were invited to the mayors reception held in the 75metre tower in the centre of Judenburg. We were treated to a performance by two Austrian musicians one playing accordian and one double bass as well as a show in the planetarium. As well as seeing the alignment of stars in the heavens we watched a couple of Pink Floyd music videos which looked stunning on a surround screen. Having taken the easy route to the top of the tower last night I decided to check out the staircase this morning. First I climbed 140 stairs to reach the level of the town from the bridge adjoining our hotel then I took another 254 stairs to reach the top of the tower thats 394 in total. The planetarium was also up a further flight of stairs. Its been great exercise and a journey worth making. Tonights concert along with Sweet and Slade is in the grounds of the courthouse. We will overlook the old jail rooms as we serenade the towns inhabitants. Thats a first for Smokie 2011-7-30 11:17:53 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#99435 New video footage has been taken in Lithuania which heralds the start of a new Smokie YouTube channel. The plan is to update the channel regularly with official footage. Take a look at httpwww.youtube.comwatchvGDudVOoL4p0 2011-7-29 21:55:22 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#99379 The town of Klaipeda was in celebratory mood. Not only is it their annual Sea Festival but last night a new venue opened known as the Svyturio Arena and Smokie were the first band to perform there. We had the extra privilege of being backed by The Vilnius Symphony Orchestra led by our old friend Vitas the conductor who led the series of concerts last December with The Kaunas Symphony Orchestra. The audience were supercharged with energy and sprung to their feet very early in the show creating a wonderful atmosphere and making this show one of the best any of us can remember from all our years of performing. As we all commented after the gig It doesnt get any better than this. It was a sellout gig in an impressive new arena and it entertained us as much as it entertained the crowd. More events like this are in the planning and it seems that Smokie are beginning to make a reputation for ourselves for putting on symphonic productions. If we can do it in Lithuania Latvia a... 2011-7-28 23:54:47 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#98985 Norwegians had more than a little reason to feel shocked and sad today after the terrible events that led to the untimely and pointless deaths of 93 people. Yet I sensed in our audience at Dokka Camping a strong spirit and sense of unity in the face of adversity. I was relieved that the National Day of Mourning had not resulted in the cancellation of all live events for I would have missed being part of a truly heartening experience as masses of Norwegians showed their courage on this sad day. There is more than one way to deal with grief and ours was to celebrate together and remain cheerful while at the same time being very aware of those who had lost their lives. The evening was intensely emotional yet it had all the hallmarks of a great Smokie gig. A special bond between the band and the audience was forged last night and the patriotism and strength of feeling was evident as Steve raised the Norwegian flag at the end of the show. Humans are remarkable beings and th... 2011-7-24 02:32:57 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#98922 A similar experience was waiting for us at The Koppang Festival in Norway where the water levels rose to above the ankles. Luckily the crowd were also on good form for the celebration of their villages summer festival. 2011-7-23 07:36:36 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#98905 Theres something about last nights of the tour in Sweden and thunderstorms that go together as we experienced in 2006. The rain pelted down for the first half of the show at Ahus Strand soaking the audience and the front of the stage. Instead of a sea of faces we looked at a sea of rain hoods and concealed faces which is an unusual sight at a Smokie gig and makes eye contact difficult. However the crowd were fantastic in their support and remained upbeat and cheerful throughout the set. Its almost as if it had never rained at all as everyone was intent on having a good time. Thats what Smokie are all about. 2011-7-22 19:58:08 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#98831 The night club Skagerak is situated alongside the harbour in Stromstad. During the afternoon and evening the whole area was packed with people enjoying the sun and eating and drinking outdoors. As the evening cooled a little not much the revellers came inside to enjoy Smokies show. The heat built up inside the club making the gig a wet one for all good conditions for a performance. Clearly the audience were very familiar with all our material. It was good to have such close contact with such an enthusiastic crowd. 2011-7-21 07:09:24 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#98755 The stage at Vallarna has a unique look for there are four brightly coloured huts in view. This gives it a sort of Hansel and Gretel charm and at the same time creates a backdrop against which it is impossible to be completely serious. Its just as well we are Smokie because taking ourselves seriously has never been our aim. The audience who sat in tiered seating amphitheatrestyle were on very good form. A hot day had helped to cheer everybody up. Not even the invading mosquitos could dampen their enthusiasm. This was the first gig in a run of shows in Sweden which see us returning after several years of absence apart from occasional gigs on the ship Cinderella. We enjoyed the warmest of welcomes. It really is great to be back. Now we are planning our shows with the orchestra which are scheduled for later in the year. 2011-7-19 22:56:48 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#98682 There is much to tweet about if you travel as much as I do so I decided to use some of those wasted hours in foreign airports to write short messages to those who would like to view them. Life on the road can be unpredictable and amusing. 2011-7-19 07:14:49 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#98467 It doesnt seem long since we were last in Juelsminde but my records tell me it was three years ago. Thats how quickly time flies in this business. The heavy rain from earlier in the week had cleared and the sky was showing a beautiful sunset against a massive moon. The harbour never looked better. The audience filled the tented area leaving little space to spare. Their reaction was mighty as we hit the stage and their energy never waned for a moment as we took them through all the familiar hits as well as some of the songs that have recently become popular in Denmark. What a great night and what a terrific crowd 2011-7-16 11:05:00 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#98032 It took three airplanes and a ferry to reach Vanylsvraak in Norway but it was well worth it for the fantastic audience reaction we received. The crowd contained some very young people who looked like they were seeing a live band for the first time. It seems that the tradition for playing Smokie music continues in this wonderful country and yet another generation of listeners are becoming attached to our songs. The mountainous backdrop was a welcome view from the stage as was the sea of eager faces in the audience. It was truly a special night and one that we may be repeating again in the future if the invitation comes our way. 2011-7-10 00:08:17 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#97919 Another birthday It seems like only one year since the last one Well its a round number so it keeps things neat. What a shame I am not gigging today just travelling to Norway. I remember well my 50th when 6000 people in Norway sang Happy Birthday to me. I shall spoil myself today and have an extra egg for breakfast. 2011-7-8 08:29:05 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#97659 I was invited recently to enter KLMs competition to create inspiring words to print on to the side of one of their airplanes. My words were accepted along with the accompanying photograph and printed on to one of KLMs fleet of aircraft along with around 4.000 other entries. The final result may be seen by following this linkhttpwww.tileyourself.comh371785a2e2074993a6ff844176cc1a0bamplukamputmsourcemakingoffamputmmediumemailamputmcampaigntileyourself 2011-7-4 21:14:20 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#97142 What do you do if youve only had two hours sleep If you are Smokie you take two flights to Denmark and get back to work not once but twice. How do we do it people keep asking me the secret. Its not hard when the audiences are so full of energy for they transfer all their energy to the band. With several thousand people present at both Give and Karup thats a lot of energy to share. At both gigs we felt a special warmth towards the band and an eagerness for the new songs which were featured on Denmarks hit album Take a minute. A combination of our own adrenalin and the crowds enthusiasm keeps us on a high for the entire show. Its always when we stop that we feel the fatigue starting to take effect. For me it was a continuation as I also flew very early the next morning arriving at 08.30 in Edinburgh after two flights. I was attending Lukes final Loretto Day celebration. It meant meeting lots of people attending a chapel service viewing artwork and watching a cricket... 2011-6-27 14:58:00 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#97014 Friday nights show was in the grounds of a construction company who were celebrating their centenary. The audience were dressed in their finery and seated around dinner tables. It was a night of speeches for those who were gathered but it ended on a high note with Austrias Pop Idol winner performing a short set before Smokie hit the stage. There was no need for hard hats or donkey jackets and the audience were on fine form for this landmark celebration of their companys longevity. 2011-6-25 04:52:10 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#96516 Its not often I have the chance to shoot an arrow at a polystyrene pig but yesterday was one such opportunity. It was a competition between Smokie Sweet and The Rubettes. I managed to put an arrow into my target as did Pete Lincoln Sweet and Alan Williams Rubettes. Alans arrow was closest to the marker on the animal and he walked away with a large side of bacon as a prize. It was all fun and games in Kufstein where we joined the mayor for an impromptu version of Alice and the official opening of the threeday festival. Starting this year there will be a statue to commemorate the bands that have had the greatest impact on music in this area. Smokies statue is the first to be put on display which is a great honour. The show was under cover in an impressive arena in the shadow of a beautiful Austrian castle. The surrounding mountains completed the fairytale ambience. A late afternoon thunderstorm helped to clear the sultry air. Our audience were on great form and ... 2011-6-18 10:08:18 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#96025 For photos from Greenland click the link belowhttpwww.flickr.comphotos16497630N03show 2011-6-12 08:30:15 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#95925 You may remember that my son Luke was the voice behind Not Far Away when he was a little boy. Now he is 18 very tall and plays the guitar and sings. He is currently finishing his final term at school before attending university to read Physics in October. He starts gigging locally in July at The Lodge in Drumnadrochit. I expect he will set up a MySpace page which I will link to when I have the details. If you wish to hear him he can be found at httpwww.youtube.comwatchvtfM8ruxQDUM where he sings Get Back and Mull of Kintyre as well as playing the piano for Hey Jude. 2011-6-10 12:42:09 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#95627 I managed to secure an igloo for my accommodation in Ilulissat for my final night in Greenland at the Hotel Arctic once more there being little in the way of hotel choices in Aasiaat. The journey back to Ilulissat was a dramatic 5hour boat ride through dense iceberg fields sometimes at very low speed to avoid collisions with large pieces of floating ice. It was a huge contrast to the 17minute plane ride that allowed us to reach Ilulissat in the first place. It seemed a waste of time to sleep too much in this land of midnight sun especially as I had a stunning sea view so I dozed and stayed awake for a 12 a.m. walk around the coast so I could take in more of the stunning scenery in this icy land. Opportunity sometimes only presents itself once and this was my chance to grab it just in case I dont get a future chance to be in an igloo overlooking the sea at the 69 degree latitude. How lucky I am that touring places me in so many varied parts of the globe and tempts me in... 2011-6-6 21:07:37 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#95508 Smokies adventure in Ilulissat began with a strangely familiar story a flight delay which was erroneously reported as two and a half hours but was in fact thirty five minutes. We had to get to Ilulissat having travelled so far to reach our final destination. We were on a mission to complete a task that we began on 11th February this year. Fate had to be on our side this time. In fact it was and we reached Ilulissat in good time to allow our technicians time to prepare for the 11 p.m. show. In the meantime I had a chance to take a good look at the Ice Fjord a UNESCO World Heritage site and the very spaceage looking metal igloos which are provided as accommodation for some of the residents of Hotel Arctic. We were 250 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle that is the furthest north Smokie have ever been on tour since starting in 1974. The crowd were completely ecstatic at our presence in their local Sports Hall. They like us felt the relief that we had kept our... 2011-6-5 12:45:03 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#95359 Summer was suddenly upon us today both at home and in Denmark where we played the very popular Open Air Festival in Korso. The change in the mood of the people was almost tangible as the sun beat down on the happy crowd. This was our first chance to perform songs in Denmark from the hit album Take a minute and the new songs were received with passion. That wonderful light in the sky brought energy to all who were gathered. Perhaps it will do the same to our gardens where a bit of raw sunlight is much needed. This is the first time I have come off stage and gone almost immediately to a golf driving range to take advantage of the long light days. I hope that time will not pass too quickly now before the end of the Summer festivals because this Is my favourite time of year. 2011-6-2 20:20:13 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#94970 As Sokndalhallen started to fill the party atmosphere grew until everyone was totally involved in Smokies show last night. This was a country venue with all the warmth and welcome that we might expect when we hit the more remote parts of Norway. Our reputation was made by visiting every corner of this beautiful country and we are still enjoying the benefits of our groundwork today. 2011-5-29 00:45:27 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#94910 Last nights street party outside Jekyl amp Hyde in Lillestrom was full of atmosphere. As the crowd moved closer to the stage there was an intimate connection with the band. I had the feeling that we were playing to a group of friends. They made it very clear that they were enjoying what Smokie had to offer. This show heralded the start of the outdoor Scandinavian shows this year of which there will be many more. Let the summer begin which it will do hopefully next week. 2011-5-28 00:12:37 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#94762 I have put the track Cosmic Field from the album The Code Within on YouTube suitably accompanied by stunning images from outer space. For a look at the results go to httpwww.youtube.comwatchv8TKD4eS9Fc or simply type in Cosmic Field.Happy contemplation of the universe 2011-5-25 16:15:27 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#94391 If you cant have a party in a brewery where can you have one Last night our hosts were the Hartwall Brewery of Lahti and their hall was well decked out for the Finnish celebrations. Its been a little while since we last played in Finland 19th July 2008 and it was good to be back. Some of the audience were well acquainted with the lyrics to songs from Take a minute. Terry enlightened the audience with the fact that Smokies first show in Finland was in Lahti in 1974. On that night the band sharing the stage had also been The Hurricanes as it was last night. History does repeat itself and with happy memories attached. 2011-5-21 00:08:07 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#93946 We faced a sea of cameras as Smokie took to the stage at The Veltins Arena. The overhead cube displayed the current camera shot to the audience some of whom were very far from the stage. The auditorium with its roof partly open on this occasion holds 60000 people. There was a good number of people in and around the venue last night to witness a show that featured 20 acts. Our short set comprised of twenty five minutes just long enough to thrill a crowd and leave them wanting more. It was good to catch up with so many of the bands who have become our friends over the years. It felt like an old school reunion. 2011-5-15 08:51:19 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#93468 The town of Sf.Gheorghe was celebrating its 550th anniversary with a 640 kg cake that was due to be entered in The Guinness Book of Records after being photographed with Smokie ceremonially sliced with a Samurai sword and shared amongst band members. Yesterday marked the eighth and final day of a festival that has now run for the past twenty years. A crowd of 35000 people gathered in the town square for a night of celebration. The air temperature was an unseasonal 3 degrees and threatened snow as it had the previous evening. Luckily this never happened and the audience created all the warmth we required to carry a full show to its conclusion. The crowd were rapturous in their reaction. 2011-5-9 06:45:55 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#93288 The magnificently decorated Baltic Queen was a fitting venue for a multicultural night at sea. As the ship slowly lilted and swayed Smokie put the audience through their paces to see how good they were at partying. They passed with flying colours. There were many words of congratulations after the gig as well as talk of more likely future dates in Sweden namely Malmo and Gothenburg. This will be a relief to our Swedish fans who have not seen us so much recently. Our sound engineer made it onboard with two minutes to spare after being delayed in Paris otherwise he would be making his own way to Bucharest to meet with us for the weekend show in Sf. Gheorghe. Our travels take us via Helsinki arriving in time to do a quick TV show before settling briefly in Bucharest and moving onwards on Saturday. Lets not let the grass grow under our feet. A rolling stone gathers no moss and all that stuff. 2011-5-6 12:10:53 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#93135 I feel a tinge of sadness as I leave The Highlands today after five days of blazing hot sunshine. Its been like the Summer we have been waiting for except its only Spring. I heard the first cuckoo today as I said my farewell to the gardens in which I have laboured so hard during my spare time. But there are fans waiting and they take precedence over all other matters. I look forward to seeing how The Baltic Queen differs from The Cinderella and finding out how the audience react to Smokie on the trip to Tallinn. 2011-5-4 15:01:05 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#92814 It might have been wedding fever although it was more likely Smokie fever but the audience were in a supercharged mood at Tips Arena in Linz. I couldnt have hoped for a better reaction in these circumstances in which we are working with new technicians. The sound must have inspired the crowd based on how they reacted to the show. Now I shall be at home for a couple of days before resuming with the gig on The Baltic Queen. I think there will be a few garden jobs to do whilst the weather remains hot and dry up in The Highlands. 2011-4-30 17:19:34 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#92680 The INEC in Killarney is now Smokies most regular gig. The venue would have us back several times a year quite happily. In fact we will be back in December to do one of their Christmas gigs. This time was a little different to all others in as much as we had an entirely new crew with us. They are all professionals and did a great job of making us sound as good as we possibly can. The audience were happy which is the most important aspect of the show. Our new crew move on with us to Linz tomorrow after which time we will be seeing more new faces yet again. They say a change is as good as a rest and keeps us on our toes. At least the five faces on stage will be the usual recognisable ones. 2011-4-28 11:52:36 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#91749 A new date sheet has just arrived in my inbox and it contains some real goodies like for example a possible return to South Korea in June and July another appearance with The Lithuanian Orchestra in July and also possible dates in The Czech Republic and Slovakia in November. Also the year is likely to end in Austria which will give us a scenic and picturesque backdrop to the end of 2011. Lets not think about that yet since I have only just finished giving the grass its first cut of the year. Id like a long hot summer. 2011-4-14 17:49:34 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#91409 Where in the world can you have a wild party on a Sunday afternoon Carnival City in South Africa is an easy choice. The audience did us proud at our final show in this venue. Memories of our amazing ten days in this remarkable country come flooding back of how much we squeezed into that short time eight gigs one tv show a visit to the Cango Wildlife Park a tour of The Meerendal Wine Estate and some very picturesque travel in the Smokie Beechcraft. We have played to a very large number of people in this short time made new friends and consolidated our position as one of South Africas best loved international acts. And Take a minute is in the top 20. Not a bad bit of work for ten days. Now we return to the Northern Hemisphere and resume our regular weekend gigs in and around Europe. If variety is the spice of life I think ours is a jalapeno. 2011-4-11 00:03:43 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#91376 Did I say you cant get better Well we did last night in what was a frenzied reaction from the audience with many references to Smokie being legends in South Africa. Its a great compliment for a bunch of honest English boys whose music only sets out to entertain and make people happy. It seems we do much more. 2011-4-10 09:47:18 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#91328 You cant get better than a full house and you cant get a better reaction than Smokie had last night on stage at Carnival City the location where we recorded our live DVD in 2008. The audience appear to have adopted us and our music lock stock and barrel. Its heart warming to walk on to a stage and feel that every note will be appreciated and given a thorough listening. It may be the Take a minute Tour yet Alice is still as strong as ever creating a musical backdrop for many a South African braai. Every night finishes with a party for media and private guests featuring lengthy photo shoots and opportunities to hear what the audience have to say about the show. Their remarks are overwhelmingly positive and its a great pleasure to hear what they have to say. 2011-4-9 07:20:58 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#91288 A capacity Sand du Plessis Theatre in Bloemfontein was filled with eager punters. I walked on to a stage that was thick with smoke a spectacle which added drama to the opening of the show and throughout the whole event. It was a Smokie night as well as a smokey night. The filling of a theatre on this tour has delighted our promoter and pointed to the fact that we can play any venue in South Africa and make a success of the night. We finally arrived at our destination at 3.00 a.m. after a delayed takeoff from Bloemfontein. Now its the easy part of the tour with just three shows to go here in Carnival City. Unfortunately we have left the good weather behind so there may be little opportunity to top up the tan which so effortlessly arrived in the baking hot conditions south of Johannesburg. 2011-4-8 08:51:47 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#91213 From Cape Town we followed the stunning coastline of South Africa towards Port Elizabeth in clear and sunny conditions arriving in very hot weather. The crowd at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University were keyed up before we hit the stage. The noise they made would have been surprising for an audience twice the size. Many remembered our previous appearance at this venue on 4th March 2004. Today we fly in to Bloemfontein and straight out again after the gig to our final destination on this tour Carnival City in Brakpan. 2011-4-7 09:21:50 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#91137 It was an early start to the day with a 5.00 a.m. makeup call for SABC 3s Expresso. Terry and I chatted and larked around for the whole two hours on this informal show. It was national barefoot day so Terry removed both shoes while I only removed one in keeping with my trademark image for individual foot fashion. The exercise spot featured zoomba during which Terry decided to dance across the floor in a comical way to add levity to the moment. The presenters all agreed that they had had the most fun on this show and thanked us for keeping them entertained. Later in the morning our sponsors kindly gave us the full tour of The Meerendal Wine Estate today explaining every aspect involved in the making of all the wines that originate from this impressive farm. It was our pleasure later to return the compliment and meet them backstage at The Grand West Casino after witnessing an ecstatic reaction from a capacity crowd. Cape Town rocks thats for sure. The last two da... 2011-4-6 00:20:00 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#90943 The KKND Festival at Oudtshoorn pronounced Oatswarren has traditionally been an Afrikaaner only event until this year when Smokie became the first international band to appear. The setting was on an Ostrich Farm set amongst beautiful scenery with the mountains as a backdrop. Even as we took to the stage there was a 2 km tailback of traffic on the approach road. The response to our presence in this remote part of South Africa was overwhelming. Even the ostriches appeared to be waiting patiently for this overseas phenomenon. Our afternoon was spent at The Cango Wildlife Park where we stroked young tigers and cheetahs and witnessed Steve and Mick being lowered into the water in a cage to watch crocodiles feeding at close range. It was a rare opportunity to mix with wild animals and learn more about their behaviour. The hospitality here is second to none and everwhere we go there is food prepared. We left Cango feeling full after a braai barbecue and then found more ... 2011-4-4 09:17:47 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#90862 Playing at The Silverstar Casino in Gauteng was no gamble. Smokie were greeted by a full house with a party atmosphere to equal Christmas. The temperature in the room rose as we took our audience through four decades of material most of which they knew very well. News came through during the evening that we have now entered the South African charts at number 20. No doubt this tour will help to spread the good will and help to push the album higher. Today we start our travels on the private charter around the country. It gives us great flexibility and enables us to move on straight after tonights gig and put ourselves in place for the show in Cape Town with the least amount of effort. No waiting and no queuing thats worth a lot to international travellers. 2011-4-3 07:23:02 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#90698 I have my eye on that imaginary line that stretches around the middle of the Earth known as The Equator. As luck would have it I am due to cross it early tomorrow morning to head for Johannesburg and be in place for the first gig on The South African Tour. A bit more sunshine after Lanzarote will not go amiss and the tour looks to be in good shape. Smokies private plane is adorned with our logo and the name of the promotion company Lefra Productions as well as the local website address www.smokie.co.za. All I need to do now is book ahead for that ostrich ride see YouTube if it happens. 2011-3-31 16:11:35 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#90179 We were in the capable hands of ZDF Television as they filmed various episodes of their Fruhlingsshow at Marina Rubicon in Lanzarote. There were numerous harbour shots several trips on boats and general good humour as Smokie took the audience through Alice and Sally both of which were received like we were all best friends. It was an intimate show in beautiful surroundings and set a great mood. Great weather helped only occasionally interrupted by strong winds. The broadcast is due for the second week in April after which the second track from Take a minute Nothing hurts like a broken heart is due for release as a radio single. 2011-3-25 17:39:56 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#89574 The DK Inwest venue in Plzen was what you might call rather full. It looked like the crowd had been inserted with the aid of a shoehorn. There was barely space to breathe yet enough to wiggle and call it a dance. This created a great impression from the stage for it looked like the audience were all joined as one. Its not hard to create a good atmosphere under these conditions and that is exactly what happened. It was a riproaring end to our Czech experience and a fitting farewell to a country that has taken Smokie to its hearts. As the extra large moon rose above the horizon I felt the chill in the air begin to disappear. Maybe those daffodils in The Highlands which started poking their heads through a couple of weeks ago will now get the chance to flourish. Whatever happens I think now could be a good time to leave that winter coat at home for a few months. Thats easy for me to say for I am off to Lanzarote to do some filming for ZDF television. Its a tough life ... 2011-3-20 00:06:05 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#89507 Ice stadiums can be cold places to gig but not last night in Pardubices Mala Hala Zimni Stadion. The audience warmed up the place nicely both in temperature and from the emotional point of view. It was another great night in The Czech Republic. Tonight is the final night of this mini tour which has been a great success both in audience figures and their reaction to Smokie. I shall be looking for new dates in our diary in this wonderful country. 2011-3-19 00:09:31 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#89454 Can a stadium gig be as good as a club gig The answer is an undeniable yes as was proven at Pavilon G1 in Brno last night. Sure enough the audience are a little further away and there are many more of them yet there seemed to be an intimacy that belied the size of the venue. I felt like I just wanted to draw everybody in closer so they could get as much contact with the band as possible. There was no need as it happened because the whole audience seemed totally immersed in the show and the atmosphere that prevailed. It was a night to remember and number amongst the special gigs of 2011. May there be many more like it and I hope I can remember them all. 2011-3-18 00:09:45 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#89391 The atmosphere at The Kofola Music Club in Krnow was electric. With a full house the heat onstage was intense and there was the sort of ambience most loved by musicians. And we had very much eye contact with the audience which makes the whole experience so much richer. I had the feeling that we were playing in a very large house to a group of people we know very well. By the end of the evening nobody felt like a stranger. Thats the sort of start to a tour which keeps people smiling for days. If that translates well into the stadiums we can expect a very satisfying tour of The Czech Republic. 2011-3-17 08:23:56 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#89123 I woke up to a very deep fall of snow this morning. Not quite what I had expected on March 13th after all this lovely dry and sunny weather we have had. There was no choice but to start shovelling and digging the cars out of their temporary igloos. Three hours later the drive was clear enough for me to drive out of tomorrow and of course on Tuesday when I have to get to The Czech Republic. The upside is that I went sledging in the field opposite with my wife Roz. There were no children in sight in fact we were the only ones game enough to go and play in the snow. I always knew that once the children had left home we would go back to doing those young and crazy things we started all those years ago. Second childhood I think it might be 2011-3-13 19:44:50 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#88781 Last nights venue in Moscow was The International Concert Hall Svetlana a beautiful new and fresh venue with more than a hint of The Belfast Waterfront about it. It was a dressy affair with several dignitaries present and a dinner held in Smokies honour afterwards. The concept of East meets West was fully exploited with the band Mirros representing the east and Smokie representing the west. Its a formula which we agreed to develop in future. The audience were on fine form and were on their feet for the last climactic sector of the show. To get this response in Moscow is a great achievement and it points to a more permanent relationship with this venue and our promoters who wish to repeat the experience. Something special happened with this performance and I had a very strong feeling that Smokie have just made some new friends as well as leaving our Moscow audience wanting more. They can always invite us back. I shall be here again thats for sure. 2011-3-9 03:25:41 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#88707 Set amongst some of the most attractive buildings in Russia The Municipal House of Culture in Obninsk looked inviting. The audience that filled the theatre were well prepared for singing and dancing. There was delight that Smokie were in town and many of the audience tried to grab autographs while we were performing just in case they missed an opportunity. The old favourites were received with passionate enthusiasm while the new songs with their easy hooks went down extremely well. There was warmth in the venue which contrasted with the outside where the temperature had reached minus 6. We moved on to a chillier Moscow during the evening to be in place for a special event with a rather important guest. 2011-3-8 07:00:01 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#88613 This is my anniversary of my first gig with Smokie. The year was 1988 the day was Monday like today and the venue was the Irish Centre in Kilburn North London. The band sounded very different to how we do today and there wasnt a great variety of overseas work in those days the main territories being Germany Ireland and Scandinavia. Everything was in embryonic state finally bursting into life with a record deal in Norway which led to a number one album with Boulevard of Broken Dreams. The rest as they say is history. 2011-3-7 10:16:35 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#88548 About seven years ago in 2004 I put the finishing touches to my album World of Music. The music takes you on a journey around the world which is what I do pretty much all of the time. As I set off for Moscow I think of the track Moscow Night. My Australian tour was soundtracked by Uluru. Whilst in Germany I think of Oktoberfest and whilst in Korea Korean Fantasy. And my forthcoming tour of South Africa is aptly accompanied by the Unisong award winning track Kenyan Sunrise. On my way I pass through Paris which prompts Paris Stroll. If you havent already listened to these tracks try them out in iTunes Amazon MP3 or wherever you browse your music and perhaps buy a copy for yourself and join me on my roundtheworld tour with appropriate moods for each territory. It really is a world of music. 2011-3-6 14:49:09 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#88369 It was just twenty three years ago today that I had a call from Terry asking if I wanted to do a few gigs with Smokie. Little did I know to what that would lead. One thing it led to was an excellent tour of Poland in March 2011 finishing up in Torwar Warsaw. The crowd reaction last night was mighty and the band struck the last note in perfect time for the assigned curfew. Its just wonderful how things can turn out so much for the best. Now I work my way back to The Highlands before continuing on to Russia on Sunday. One thing I didnt know twenty three years ago is that I would end up doing more flights than the pilots 2011-3-4 04:29:14 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#88235 Hala Arena cuts an impressive outline as do a lot of the sports arenas in Poland resembling the mother ship from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. These halls provide excellent facilities for activities of all kinds and help to create opportunities for developing sporting prowess. The hall also allows for a good quality sound during concerts a feature which is sometimes absent in sports halls. A large crowd warmed to Smokie and were clearly enjoying a quality sound wrapped up in a punchy 75minute show. Our reception in Poland has been overwhelming and paves the way for our future return. 2011-3-1 23:14:20 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#88127 The crowds reaction last night was magnificent. Hundreds of mobile phones lit up like fireflies were waved during If you think you know how to love me creating a hypnotic lattice of lighting. Our first gig in Poland on this mini tour was a great success. We move on to Poznan early tomorrow. We are back to road touring which makes a change from running to catch airplanes all the time which will resume at the end of the week. Got to keep those air miles up 2011-2-28 23:18:11 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#87956 For details of the forthcoming South African tour and album release take a look at httpwww.smokie.co.za. 2011-2-27 15:09:04 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#87803 What a beautiful town is Zofingen The cobbled streets and impressive architecture make it a must see for anyone who is visiting the area. At the Merzweckhalle we had a big audience on our side as we brought some fresh songs as well as the classic hits to the show they labelled Magic Night. It was good to be back in Switzerland which is a country we visit on average once a year. More shows are being discussed at the moment and I shall be happy to return whenever the invitation is out. 2011-2-26 08:03:32 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#87717 I have added a couple of pictures to the Gallery particularly because my Greenland adventure provided a valuable photo opportunity. Also there is evidence that my musical career started young. 2011-2-24 18:42:53 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#87499 Enrick Studio has been the nerve centre for the creation of all music since I first arrived in The Highlands nearly 17 years ago. It has taken on a few different looks and has now emerged in its most hightech evolutionary form. Gone are all the racks of outboard gear and in its place is the now wellestablished Roland Fantom G8 the Roland JD 990 and the Oberheim OB 3 squared organ module. The G8 is the big daddy and houses the MIDI sequencer and 24track audio recorder. All necessary effects are built in which removes the need for any outboard equipment. In line with the trend towards smaller and more powerful electronic gear the studio takes advantage of current technology to create space. And Enrick Studio now has a lot of floor space which I share with my son Luke whose guitar equipment needs a lot more room than my keyboard equipment. If you take a look at Smokies stage setup you will see that the same is true between Micks guitars and my keyboards. It makes me wonder just how far mi... 2011-2-21 23:22:12 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#87299 The latest tour schedule has brought many changes to the date sheet so check out the updated Tour Dates with Smokie to see where we will be playing this year. 2011-2-19 10:02:09 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#87114 Check out Marikas website see my links page for photos from Greenland. Did you ever wonder what the band would look like dressed in furs Its a once only opportunity to see our ruddy faces sticking out from behind fluffy headgear and Vernon in long trousers. Thanks Marika for posting those pictures. 2011-2-16 23:29:07 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#86884 The life of a Husky doesnt look too comfortable for they sleep outside in temperatures up to minus fifty degrees and are expected to run for up to twenty four hours with occasional ten minute breaks. My dogsled was pulled by thirteen Huskies of differing sizes and temperaments. The dogs get very excited when they know that they are going to run and even get into vicious fights as they anticipate the journey. The ride is at a very gentle pace with occasional faster runs downhill. Uphill can be more of a struggle when it is necessary to get off the sledge and push from the back. It sounds easy enough except for the fact that I was dressed in very heavy seal skins from head to toe and also wore big snow boots. The whole gear seemed to weigh me down and make running or even walking a very tiresome effort. The scenery as expected is breathtaking and I soon adapted to the very low temperature and started to feel very cosy inside my animal furs. At the halfway mark I had the ... 2011-2-14 05:23:19 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#86828 A crowd of around 1000 people one in five of the local population assembled at The Sports Hall in the centre of Sisimiut. They turned a cold hall into a steamy one with frequent drops of condensation from the high ceiling. The noise as we entered the stage was louder than the PA. The people had come to party and nothing even the meagre guide ropes could hold them back. It was a night to remember for so many reasons. Just being here is an achievement. People have waited a long time to see Smokie in their home town and we have waited a long time to visit. Future plans are already being discussed for our return to this fascinating country. Greenland rocks thats for sure and the people are big hearted music lovers. 2011-2-13 12:59:07 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#86800 The winds were against us in Greenland and all flights were grounded meaning that we were unable to get to Illulisat and the planned gig on Friday. It was looking like a night off at Kangerlussuaq Airport Hotel along with all the other stranded travellers. However an offer came from a local resident to join him for a few drinks and play a few songs on the musical equipment that he had assembled. It was a night of fun and frolics which delighted the local crowd who hadnt expected to see Smokie in their home village. Today we have been luckier and have managed to catch the only flight out of Kangerlussuaq so far and land with a few big dipper moments safely in Sisimiut ready for tonights gig. As I sit composing this blog I can hear the howling of many Huskies outside my window. Perhaps they are also Smokie fans or maybe they are just warming up for our excursion tomorrow. Watch out for You Tube clips of the band tearing across the snow behind 8 eager dogs 2011-2-12 18:21:05 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#85914 I have been asked about the shipping line on May 5th. It is not The Cinderella but a different shipping line to Estonia. There is a plan but nothing definite to play in Estonia the day afterwards. Also there may be a promoter interested in offering Smokie some dates in Sweden this year. Again nothing is definite yet but I shall post dates on this website as they are confirmed. Thank you all for your patience. 2011-2-1 12:04:33 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#85619 I have put the final touches to Light Beings and it is now ready to be linked with the second piece of artwork which will happen once my artistic director returns to The Highlands. In the meantime I am set to travel to Glasgow to see We will rock you tonight. Thats a show I am really looking forward to. Will I be mistaken for Bryan May Not tonight for I have just had my hair cut a lot shorter ready for the new tours. 2011-1-28 10:02:09 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#85156 This short break has given me the opportunity to get back into the studio and start creating the second track to the album The Code Within. The new track is titled Light Beings and is taking shape nicely the inspiration being a set of wind chimes which hang outside my bedroom window. I should be ready to upload to iTunes and all the others some time in February. In the meantime I shall keep refining the music until it is ready for your ears. 2011-1-21 13:53:38 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#83658 The final show of this Lithuanian Tour had as much energy as the first one. It also had a certain quirkiness as our conductor Vitas varied his antics to include some manic dancing and ad hoc percussion playing as the mood took him. The excitement has permeated through the whole orchestra who gave a spirited last night performance for our audience in Siauliu pronounced showlay. We had to reason with the security guards to prevent them from stopping people from getting on their feet so they may enjoy themselves. When the message finally got through there was a mass wave of people surging forwards to the front of the hall in defiance of the guards. Finally everything looked normal for a Smokie concert and the night ended on a huge high. As we take a break there is an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction over the success of these symphonic shows. There is already talk of a return next year. But there will be plenty of time to arrange that. In the meantime we all return... 2011-1-2 04:08:11 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#83594 The show gets better and better. A matinee performance at The Sports Hall in Kaunas home to our orchestra seemed to hit the high spot yet there was better to come with the evening show. Its hard to describe in words just how impressive was the reaction to our last concert of the year but it was the perfect way to end 2010. The orchestra have become so well acquainted with the band that we look like we belong together. The sight of hundreds of mobile phones lit up like candles during If you think you know how to love me resembled a Festival of Light. The whole stadium seemed to buzz with activity as the whole audience swayed together. The orchestra repeatedly did the Mexican wave and the conductor performed some of his own fancy footwork in the style of Irish dancing as well as using a variety of unusual objects like Steves broken drum stick as batons with which to keep time. It was the party to end all parties and it was over well before midnight. We returned to our... 2011-1-1 00:05:11 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#83552 The atmosphere is building as New Year approaches both on and offstage. The Kaunas Symphony Orchestra are definitely loosening up and showing real enjoyment of the show as displayed at The CIDO Arena in Panevezeys last night. Their enthusiasm is contagious and the audience are picking up the party mood and giving us a real promenadestyle reaction to this classicalrock hybrid concert. I wonder whether it is possible for the show to get any better a reaction. I shall know very soon for there are two shows today one at 4.00 p.m. and one at 8.00 p.m. which leaves a comfortable gap in which to see in the New Year twice once for Lithuania and once two hours later for the UK. There are benefits to being a time traveller 2010-12-31 00:46:40 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#83502 The atmosphere was electric last night in The Siemens Arena in Vilnius. Our second night with The Kaunas Symphony Orchestra felt like we had been playing together for a week for the whole performance knitted seamlessly together and provided a rapturous ambience to which the audience reacted with some animation. The whole seemed greater than the sum of the parts and the enthusiasm built exponentially as the evening wore on. The crowd were on their feet early and thronged the stage for the last quarter of the show. Working with an orchestra has really added another dimension to a show that had already been thrilling audiences around the world. The combination of band and orchestra has really worked wonders and looks like a winning formula for ending 2010 with a bang. You may find a clip of the Riga concert on YouTube titled Smokie Concert in Arena Riga Latvia Living Next Door to Alice. 2010-12-30 01:32:04 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#83409 Our first night with The Kaunas Symphony Orchestra in Riga Latvia was a huge success. This orchestra is fully loaded with brass and woodwind as well as the tympani and the musical scoring is busier than we have experienced before. The overall effect obviously pleased the audience who had more than one place to focus their attention. It felt like more than just a concert it was really an event and one which pulled at the heartstrings of all who witnessed it. I feel a great pride at presenting such an evening of entertainment. If I was sitting in the audience I would enjoy the spectacle of band and orchestra together. I feel lucky to be part of this spectacular event. Tomorrow we move on to Lithuania for the remaining four shows this year and one on Ist January. 2010-12-27 22:49:57 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#83355 If Mohammed wont go to the mountain the mountain will just have to go to Mohammed. And thats what happened yesterday when my family came to join me in an Aberdeen Airport hotel last night so we could spend Christmas Day together. We did this so I could be in the right place this morning for my flight to Lithuania just in case Boxing Day weather reports of heavy snow turned out to be correct which they werent. These are the last 6 concerts this year and all of them are with the accompaniment of an orchestra which is something I enjoy immensely. I have noticed that it is much easier to buy a sledge this year than last year when Arctic conditions took us all by surprise. Now it seems that subzero temperatures are a continuing feature of UK winters so it should come as no surprise next Christmas if the icicles are as long as our winter fuel bills. Now wheres that holiday brochure 2010-12-26 08:29:52 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#83295 Our hosts in Moldova have treated us like royalty making the most of our first appearance in this country. We played a packed house at The Town Hall in Chisinau where a lively audience greeted us with much applause. It has been a very heartwarming introduction to this small and hospitable nation. Now its time to negotiate a safe passage across Europe for a short Christmas celebration with our families before hitting the skies again on Sunday. We bade each other a fond farewell much as we would do when we are taking a longer break. However fog in Moldova caused us each to reroute on our homeward journey. As I write I am in Munich where the other guys should be I should have been in Amsterdam and they are on their way to an alternative airport in Romania to fly home via Rome maybe. We will see how the wheel of fortune turns. And finally I have been issued a boarding pass for my fourth flight today to Inverness but my replacement luggage since Belarus and Belgiu... 2010-12-23 23:36:33 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#83205 When I hear how some of our fans were stranded in Dublin while we made it to Warsaw and Chisinau I realise how blessed we are to be in the right places. As we approached the airport in Chisinau pronounced keesheenow the sun shone brightly on the snowy ground. It was several degrees warmer than the UK and traffic flowed freely. We were treated to the most amazing display of musical dexterity from a fourpiece band in a restaurant last night which quite humbled me in the face of enormous talent. The band comprised of violin accordian pan pipes and an instrument which partly resembled a piano except the strings were open and were played from above with two percussion sticks. The speed at which these guys played their songs left us breathless with admiration. I shall never again think of the pan pipes as a ballad instrument. We were totally entertained and utterly stunned by their talent.Good things happen to those who believe. My belief is that I shall get home safely tomorrow and return s... 2010-12-22 11:24:13 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#83147 After the Castlebar cancellation it seemed best to transfer directly to Belfast and put ourselves right next to The Waterfront in readiness for the show on Sunday. There was a surprise in store on the night for we were joined by Pat McManus on violin for a once only performance of Celtic Days. Along with the new songs this went down extremely well and the final party night in Ireland was a huge success. It remained for us to drive through freezing fog to make an early flight from Dublin to Warsaw a flight which negotiated extreme cross winds to make two attempts at landing. Back on terra firma we arrived just in time to run through some songs with a 25piece orchestra in readiness for our show at The Warsaw Congress Hall. The orchestra could not have been prepared for the vocal reaction we received from our audience last night for they are more accustomed to people listening quietly and clapping at the end of a classical performance. What they experienced last night... 2010-12-21 07:41:29 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#82974 The TLT Theatre is nestled in a most unlikely place a retail park. It was the dream of one man to build a theatre and thats what he did. And what a lovely theatre it is too. After extended journeys from Manchester where some of the band were waiting for their flight to take off we finally made it to the theatre in time for a very brief sound check. The audience were relieved that we had overcome travel difficulties to be with them and rewarded us with a very keen response to our show. However conditions deteriorated overnight and it became obvious that Castlebar was going to be a very unlikely destination today there being a large dump of snow during the night. The decision was taken out of our hands and the promoter asked if we would agree to cancel the show since there would be very few people who could actually get to the venue in this extreme weather. Our plan is to go north today and put ourselves in place for the Belfast show tomorrow. Belfast has also seen a huge fall of snow s... 2010-12-18 08:38:45 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#82937 Watching the weather report has become as essential to a frequent flyer as packing toiletries into a tiny plastic bag. As Arctic winds swept in from the North the roads around Inverness became impassable. However I managed to escape just before the A9 closed its snow gates and Inverness and Aberdeen closed their airports. I followed my instincts to Edinburgh where the airport is currently open allowing me to get to Dublin in readiness for a trip to Drogheda. Anyone who still believes the saying that To travel is better than to arrive hasnt experienced the mixed pleasures of flying 150 times a year. I believe our audience at The TLT Theatre would rather we arrive than that we still travel. The party continues and the show must go on. 2010-12-17 11:47:09 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#82575 For some years now the promoter has been trying to book Smokie to play at The Golden Years Show at Sportpaleis Antwerpen. Well now we have done it and it was a tremendous success. The format is very similar to the German Oldies Shows with each band being allocated just 5 songs. The cheers of the crowd between songs were as loud as a football crowd. The programme represented some of the best of the melodies from the 60s and 70s. It has been some 17 years since Smokies last appearance in Belgium and it made a refreshing change to venture into this part of Europe. Whilst passing through Amsterdam I discovered the reason for the untraceability of my luggage from 9 days ago it was missing the allimportant luggage label which is used to identify it. It appeared to be destined for oblivion had I not pointed it out and identified its contents. At least I dont now have to find a cobbler who can create two different coloured spat boots neither do I have to appear on stage in my travel clothes. 2010-12-12 00:07:07 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#82515 There could not have been a better final concert in this Belarussian series as the one which we just performed at The Sport Palace in Minsk. The crowd welcomed us vociferously right from the start and cheered between songs attentive all the way to the end. The show perfectly rounded off four very successful performances in this country and indicated very strongly that there will be more work for us here next year. I believe we made a very good impression with fans press and promoters and that the result of that will be more regular work in this territory. Some people have very long memories here and vividly recall Smokies early introduction to Belarus. Its interesting to hear what they have to say about the band today and the changes which they have fully accepted and to which they are now accustomed. I have just received next years date sheet and it looks like we will be busy again. Just take a look at the Tour Dates section which I will update soon for an outline plan of 2011. 2010-12-10 23:47:22 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#82452 It was a pleasure to feel the warmth of The Public Concert Hall in Gomel and see the audience so clearly from the stage. It felt like being in one of the theatres in Australia with a perfect sound and a massive crowd reaction. The contrast with the freezing conditions and echoing sound of the Ice Palace last night was huge. This was more like Smokie in Concert similar conditions to those we have enjoyed for the past few weeks. A TV special has recently been aired here in Belarus and that has put a lot of bums on seats for the promoters who are delighted with the response. These few shows have really put us in touch with a good number of people and their reactions have been overwhelming. 2010-12-10 05:07:37 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#82420 A long and exhausting travel day with delayed flights finally ended in our arrival in Grodno at 4.30 a.m. on Tuesday the day of the gig. As we each set out from our respective airports the news that Heathrow flights had been delayed up to 5 hours did nothing to raise our expectations of arriving in Belarus on the appointed day. However the gods of travel and luggage handling worked miracles and we were deposited safely in Minsk all luggage intact where the camera crew were waiting patiently to record our every word and impression. Belarus is seeing more of Smokie nowadays thanks to our promoters and we saw plenty of Belarussians last night in the packed Sports Palace in Grodno. They were ecstatic and noisy as I had hoped they would be. I learned that the humble potato is the main ingredient of vodka and that the word for potato is also shared in the description of people from Belarus. They are literally the potato people. So I thank the potato people for their ... 2010-12-9 14:38:54 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#82178 After announcements on KLM yesterday that none of us in Smokie would make our onward connection we turned rebel and ignored all calls making straight for our gates in Amsterdam and making it on to our flights sometimes with a bit of argument. Now I have been united with a fresh case of clothes for this interesting journey to Minsk via Heathrow and Vienna. The skies are sunny in Aberdeen and all flights are taking off but the picture in the south of England is a little different. I am as always in the hands of fate and happy with whatever outcome is offered to me. My suitcase is still untraced from last Friday but I expect that will turn up at home within a few days. The mantra of the frequent flyer is Remain calm at all times and I shall endeavour to stick to that through thick and thin. Keep those Christmas carols playing for Im just getting warmed up 2010-12-6 11:27:28 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#82097 Once more I stepped out in my comfortable travel clothes on to the stage at Sparkassen Arena. These boots were made for walking although they did a decent job of stomping on my keyboard pedals. Now that the lost baggage department have taken to ignoring all phone calls I can assume that my clothes will not be coming to Belarus. However I have a backup plan because my wife Roz has been shopping last night and packed an alternative case for my next trip and is due to link up with me in Aberdeen today if planes and trains allow. The audience in Kiel gave tumultuous applause as we ended our mini set. We even managed to squeeze in one new song from Take a minute which was If I cant love you. The Christmas Market in Kiel looked resplendent with its snowy sidewalks. The big day is now less than three weeks away. I hope Ive been good because there are a couple of things I would like for Christmas and I know that Santa is very keen to find out who behaved themselves during ... 2010-12-5 04:13:36 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#82033 To reach the gig in time was miraculous considering the weather conditions at both ends of the journey. However the huge pile of delayed baggage in Hannover did nothing to help the situation regarding my own lost baggage and I face the prospect of a third or even a fourth day in the same clothes I wore as I left home on Thursday afternoon. Its an entirely different image for onstage and very strange for me to wear two shoes the same colour. But the show must go on and there are numerous offers of clean socks and Tshirts from colleagues. Arent people wonderful Tonight we play the same 40minute set at another Sparkassen Arena this time in Kiel. 2010-12-4 10:48:44 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#81961 From the balmy heat of Sri Lanka to the Arctic conditions of The Scottish Highlands I take my wellpacked suitcase on a new 11day journey into the unknown. The roads posed their own challenge last night with huge clumps of uncleared snow on main highways. However I am here in Aberdeen and ready to fly onwards for the two German gigs. I hope my colleagues are as fortunate for I understand that transport is coming to a standstill in parts of England. A team of reindeer and a flying sledge would be most welcome at the moment. How much adventure can one person expect Life is never dull in Smokie. 2010-12-3 10:42:14 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#81785 After twenty years in the planning the band finally played its first concert in this beautiful country. The Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel provided a perfect rest and recuperation resort for the few hours we had to enjoy after travelling from Sydney via Singapore. The venue was the largest function room in the neighbourhood known as Waters Edge and was filled with eager Smokie fans who had waited so long to see us perform in their country. The show had a very different feel to it being a single set version as opposed to the double set we have performed in Australia for the last month. Also Sri Lankan people are more conservative and are less suited to getting out of their seats unlike some of the Australians we have had the pleasure to entertain. However the end of the show found most of the crowd on their feet and yelling for Alice just like anywhere else in the world. It was great to experience yet another new country and take this rare opportunity to visit a corner of The Earth where peopl... 2010-12-1 13:18:38 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#81508 The last night of any tour always has a special feel to it. The audience were made aware that Smokie were finishing our Australian tour in Sydney and responded accordingly by giving us a great party atmosphere. The Enmore Theatre may well have been called The Encore Theatre for there was reluctance to strike the last chord as that meant that the tour was really over. All good things come to an end yet the beginning is just around the corner. Smokie have reached new heights with this tour raising the bar yet again and creating a show which entertains on different levels. The final feeling is euphoria after the amazing reaction we have received over these last 18 shows. Thank you to all our Australian audiences. We promise to come back and keep the Smokie party going. At least we have left you with a great collection of current recordings just in case you have worn out your old records. Keep an eye out for Take a minute when it reaches the shops. You appear to have enjoyed the new songs ... 2010-11-28 21:55:38 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#81443 I learned after last nights gig that The Regent Theatre in Collins Street had been due for demolition at one time. That would have been a shame for live performances as it was a great venue with plenty of room in the aisles and between the seats for a typical Smokie audience to get up and dance. Once the security guards relaxed and stopped trying to push everyone to the sides thats exactly what happened. To prevent it would have been like trying to halt a tsunami with a sheet of A4 paper. The evening erupted into an all out singsong and a party atmosphere to make Christmas look like a visit to the dentists. Thank you Melbourne you were great. And the crowd more than made up for the fact that we had all been thoroughly soaked after walking around this beautiful city. As we move on to Melbourne we are contemplating the final night of the Smokie Australian tour a night when traditionally all the tricks get played. It also gives us a chance to catch up with our publicist w... 2010-11-27 23:26:34 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#81326 As water levels rose and thunderstorms crashed over parts of Victoria I prepared for the worst while hoping for the best. From the outside Bendigo Stadium looks like a huge tin shed a perception which doesnt change when on the inside listening to heavy rain pelting down on the roof competing with the PA system for attention. However the audience were the most animated of any on the tour so far and they were on their feet from early on in the second set. The last minute TV adverts had pulled in one of the biggest crowds seen so far at this venue. The public continued to flow through the doors during the acoustic set presumably thinking that they were only missing the support band. But Smokie support ourselves on this tour and the latecomers found to their surprise that they were entering the stadium during our acoustic set. We left a delighted crowd at the end of the night full of praise for the show. Bendigo rocks and they will rock again if we give them the chance. No... 2010-11-27 02:13:46 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#81161 The land of the Golden Guitar gave us a huge Tamworth welcome loving every minute of the show and particularly enjoying the country aspect. Once more we were invited back as soon as possible to an area which hasnt seen Smokie since 1991 as I remember just a few days before I got married here. My epic journey started immediately after the show with a 1200 kilometre drive to a remote part of Victoria where I link up with my inlaws before the show in Bendigo tomorrow. At present I am only 350 kilometres down the road so theres a long way to go and a very good reason to get there as soon as possible. 2010-11-24 22:15:25 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#80980 Are you ready to read that Smokie had another fantastic gig Is there any other type of gig we could have had In Toowoomba which we dubbed Chumbawumba there was a big crowd in the beautiful Empire Theatre. Apparently we passed this way in 1991 a special year for me because I married my Ozzie girl in December that year in a remote part of Victoria. Since then I have visited Australia regularly whereas Smokie have been out of Oz for most of the time. That situation has changed in the last few weeks and Australia is now as much a part of our touring circuit as Europe and Scandinavia. Expect to see us back and we will be here for sure. 2010-11-22 23:32:27 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#80866 Smokies hit records in the 1970s were all penned by the boy from Brisbane Mike Chapman. Last night we played the Queensland Performing Arts Centre a beautiful concert hall with an impressively clear sound. The compliments regarding the CD quality of the sound were given generously as we signed autographs at the end of the show. On this tour we are seeing good audience numbers in the cities as well as out in the country. Word is spreading rapidly that Smokie are planning a return visit and everybody wants us back. 2010-11-21 22:25:12 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#80795 A search for Maryborough on the Tom Tom GPS comes up with about 8 results. Luckily the particular Maryborough we wanted was in a straight line down The Bruce Highway on the way to Brisbane. The audience had no trouble finding us or in enjoying a riproaring Saturday night with Smokie at the impressive Brolga Theatre. Heavy rain is washing us down country like a spider down the plughole but nothing can dampen the spirits on this inspiring Ozzie Tour. I am making a list of all the places where people said we should have played whilst here. There could be a long tour next year if we go everywhere people have suggested. 2010-11-20 21:37:38 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#80722 It was Prom Night across Australia today with street celebrations around the country roads closed for processions and a multitude of ball gowns visible. Regardless of this Smokie played at The Entertainment Centre in Gladstone and drew a big and enthusiastic crowd. There was much surprise that we had made it to a location where few bands tour especially international ones. We are known for taking our show in to country locations and meeting the people there. It is part of what we do and it gives us pleasure to feel the appreciation of people we socialise with after the show. Tomorrow we move further down the coast to Maryborough. 2010-11-19 13:36:35 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#80635 Another full house greeted us at The Pilbeam Theatre in Rockhampton. Our last gig here was four years ago when we played at a Rodeo stadium. Last night was more intimate and connected us magnificently with our fans both new and established. The 3CD collection continues to be extremely popular and many people are now waiting for news of the release of Take a minute so they may catch up with all the Smokie material which has been recorded to date. There is a general feeling amongst the band that the tour is slipping by very fast now. Last night we spent time together over a barbecue our last chance to relax on this tour. Things get very hectic from now on. The next break is from 13th to 16th December when I plan to make Christmas preparations for the family. Its been an exciting year and theres plenty more of it to go yet. 2010-11-18 13:30:04 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#80509 A crowd of around 1300 thronged The Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre taking their time to be seated before the scheduled 8.00 p.m. start. It was all very relaxed yet it heralded the start of the best of the Australian shows to date. The magnificent venue housed two large screens to help the audience at the back of the hall get a good view of the band. Before going onstage we were treated to the news that we are now at Number 5 in The Australian Country Charts and that the record company are now going to indulge in a priority promotion to push the sales a little further. This will be good news for when Take a minute gets released which could be within a couple of months of our departure from Australia. Also the albums release will help us to set up the next Australian tour which is planned for November next year. The Ozzies have shown us that they are really happy to have Smokie back and they want us here more regularly. Apparently last nights turnout was the... 2010-11-16 21:39:06 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#80318 A full house greeted us at The Civic Theatre in Cairns on this Sunday night. I wondered how a Cairns audience would react with the prospect of a new working week looming. The show was at 7.30 to allow for an earlier finish. The theatre greatly resembled The Corn Exchange in Kings Lynn with its constantly tiered seating giving the impression of looking up a ski slope full of people. I made a bad choice of how to get on stage causing me to crawl around wires and through dark areas to reach the keyboard all of this in view of the audience. The show starts with a blackout during which I walk on to play the first strains of Ill meet you at midnight acoustic version. Having not really absorbed the layout I took a wrong turn and instead of walking directly to the keyboard I took a circuitous route crablike as I approached. There were chuckles in the audience and I wondered whether I might use this technique again to add humour to the event. Maybe not but the crowd were certainly able to enj... 2010-11-14 22:17:08 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#80199 I have spent so much of my time here in Darwin just looking and marvelling at my surroundings. The smells are just wonderful in this tropical paradise. Of course I had to see some crocodiles whilst here and they were admirably showcased at Crocosaurus on Mitchell Street just a few yards from the hotel. I saw adult and baby crocs being fed as well as some intriguing fish which spit a ball of water in the air with pinpoint accuracy. In the wild this technique is used to catch insects which then fall to the waters surface to be eaten by the fish while in captivity there is a more amusing sideeffect to this talent which is that the fish spits at shiny objects like jewellery and eyes. Just looking down at the water can earn you the privilege of being spat at by one of these amazing creatures. There were also rays sawfish very dangerous and barracudas. Meanwhile in the reptile house some of the snakes and lizards were putting on a show for the camera. One crocodile named Burt was a bit of a ... 2010-11-13 13:55:14 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#80043 I have walked my feet off today visiting just about every street in Darwin as well as the harbour and Cullen Bay and Fannie Bay. The place is teeming with bird life and the parks are vividly green and fragrant. There was an impressive thunderstorm at 5.00 a.m. today and I expect there will be another one at a similar time tomorrow to clear the air and keep the lush gardens well watered. It really is a tropical paradise. Tomorrow I shall take a look at the crocodiles some of which are on show right here in Mitchell Street so no need to take a bus ride. The first show is also tomorrow night so I had better let that crocodile go in time for the soundcheck. Smokie have entered the Australia Charts at Number 20 today so we will start to appear on the shelves in CD stores around the country. 2010-11-11 10:54:02 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#79946 Picture a white sandy beach blazing hot sunshine and a clear blue sea. It would make the perfect holiday destination. However Smokie were here to fill the Queens Park Theatre something we could easily have done twice over. The standing ovation at the end of the show is something rarely seen at this venue so we are told. They want us back and soon. Perhaps we should start to plan next years tour now. I think the Ozzies have been starved of Smokie music for long enough and now is the time to start cementing our relationship with these wonderful people. We move on to Darwin this being our first visit to that enchanting part of Australia. Tomorrow is a day off so I shall see what I can find and maybe take a camera with me to capture some of those precious moments. 2010-11-10 03:03:32 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#79839 Free time what a pleasure. And theres no shortage of things to do in Perth especially when its baking hot. Ive done a few of the tourist things the last couple of times here so I settled for just ambling around eating and drinking when I felt the urge and flying a kite on the green next to Riverside Drive. I just happen to have a model which fits into the pocket. I didnt expect much from the kite and was pleasantly surprised when it caught the breeze and went sailing upwards and hung there. Just so it didnt blow away I tied it to my bag and left it for a while. It was effortless and fun and a total contrast to what happens on a touring day. Thats what days off are all about. 2010-11-9 01:40:17 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#79749 If something is worth doing its worth doing twice so we returned to The Regal Theatre in Subiaco for a second night as did some of the audience. No two performances are exactly the same and no two audiences behave the same as on the previous night. One thing is for sure the live performance is growing and maturing as the tour progresses. A small adjustment has been made in that we no longer play the electric version of Ill meet you at midnight having opened with the acoustic version. Although these two versions are completely different they are after all an interpretation of the same song. Having no support band has really paid off and the audience feel they are getting a really good airing of Smokie songs old and new established and unfamiliar in a set which keeps the highs to the maximum. We now take a muchneeded day off after going at it constantly since we left the UK 9 days ago. Its our last day in Perth so there is much to catch up with before boarding that plane for Geraldton t... 2010-11-8 00:45:57 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#79584 In the last couple of days I have really got to know Mandurah very well. I have walked the length and breadth of it and become acquainted to its restaurants and shops and to all the great people who I have met some of whom have come running after me for autographs. I have even booked my breakfast this morning an appointment which I think I had better keep. To walk 200 yards to a gig is a breeze. To stroll through a 2hour gig like it is an easy task is a blast. Its the audience who make it so easy for us. We are getting some very animated reactions to the songs in the acoustic set which is a delightful surprise. It also makes the electric set start on a much greater high than usual. A crowd of Ozzies enjoying themselves can sound like twice the number of people than there are in the room. When are we coming back to Mandurah That was my most asked question last night. Now our faithful audience have attached themselves to us they want more and soon. The night could not have ended on a be... 2010-11-5 22:29:25 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#79512 Bunbury has often been the starting point for a Western Australia tour and last night proved that there is no better place to break the ice. This time a few things are different. For a start we played to a full house in an area where people were well aware of the gig. Weve had proper advertising on this tour and it is translating into very good sales figures. Also our appearance on Sunrise has raised the awareness of our presence in this fabulous country. Theres a lot to be said for doing it ourselves. Our audience were enthralled with the acoustic set which went down like a dream. I feel that we are giving great value for money by playing a set comprising songs from all four decades and eliminating the ageold formula of hiring a support band to fill the first slot. Our plan is being rewarded many times over because the audience are very hyped up as we enter the stage for the electric set which contains hit after hit. Its a highoctane show which stimulates and excites our audience. I j... 2010-11-4 23:02:14 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#79372 After two days of nearly nonstop talking to all the radio stations including broadcasts during The Melbourne Cup and an earlymorning appearance on Sunrise we are ready to put on a show for the Australian public. The reaction from everyone we have met and talked to so far is so enthusiastic that we can draw great encouragement from our very positive responses. It remains to transfer from Sydney to Perth and put ourselves in position for the first show in Bunbury. Thanks to Vodafone we are fully equipped with 3G broadband so we may stay in touch wherever we are and keep you informed of how things are going. No need to rely on expensive hotel WiFi networks. This is real freedom to roam. Or is it walkabout 2010-11-3 02:56:14 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#79087 Its only 10 days since I last passed through Dubai on my way to The Equator yet here I go again. There is a very hectic promotional schedule awaiting Smokie once we land in Sydney which will keep us fully occupied up until we board the flight for Perth and the start of the Ozzie Tour. At least it keeps us from wondering how to fill our time. I know which films I shall watch on Emirates because I chose them last week. And I very much look forward to my hour and a half sleep on the way to the Antipodes. 2010-10-30 06:27:50 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#78614 The festival tent at Zachariasbryggen was full to bursting the temperature inside being around 25 degrees warmer than the icy outside after Bergens first snowfall of Autumn. It was a typically young and mostly female audience as we have come to expect in Norway. Fresh from our appearance on national TV we received a great reception to all new material from Take a minute. The afternoon rehearsal put the finishing touches to the planned Wild Horses Medley for Australia. Now we are fully prepared for a schedule which sees us on the road for most days between now and Christmas. It only remains to prepare Celtic Days for the three Irish gigs in December. Its a joy to have new material especially when it goes down so well. 2010-10-24 06:16:22 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#78556 After an early start we joined TV2 for the breakfast show performing Sally and Lay back in the arms of someone. Later in the day there was a full rehearsal for the acoustic part of the Australian tour just to brush up some of the songs we had performed on previous UK tours. There will indeed be an expose of some of the Nashville songs in our first set as well as a taster of the album which is yet to be released in Oz i.e. Take a minute. A young and enthusiastic crowd greeted us at Sentrum Scene. They seemed to be aware of the new material and some even knew the words. Sally has been on high rotation here in Norway. It seems that this might be an album to please Scandinavians especially after its success in Denmark. Now there is just one gig to go before we make our way down under. In the meantime we are still normalising our body clocks after the brief visit to Singapore. 2010-10-23 00:15:39 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#78299 We just dropped down to Singapore for two days and a quick gig for a Russian corporation. When we asked Why did you hold it in Singapore the reply came Why not. So it was a night of dinner and entertainment dancers and music. Its a good job we werent asked to dance as I think we might have lost our appeal. However we were on to a surefire success with a house full of Russians. Needless to say the photos were plentiful after the show as well as during. Maybe the next Russian invitation could be in Las Vegas or am I just using my imagination 2010-10-19 16:39:38 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#78069 I have it on good authority thanks to Bev that Sanity Music released the above album on 8th October and I can confirm this because I took a look at their website. The track listing is as previously mentioned. Its good to have Wild Horses the Nashville collection included as one of the 3 CDs on offer since Australia is so well geared to country music. Perhaps there might be a little taster of this album in the tour set list which has yet to be finalised. Our main priority is to give the audience the songs they know and love so well. 2010-10-17 06:29:00 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#77934 Central Station release the 3CD hits album on Monday 18th October. Some people asked what the track listing would be and here it is Disc 1 1 Living Next Door To Alice 2 Lay back in the arms of someone 3 Needles amp Pins 4 It Never Rains In Southern California 5 Just When I Needed You Most 6 Oh Carol 7 Boulevard Of Broken Dreams 8 For a few dollars more 9 Be My Baby 10 I Can Be A Heartbreaker Too 11 Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow 12 Tomorrow 13 Why 14 Home Is Anywhere You Are 15 Til Hell Freezes Over 16 Midnight Train 17 Whiskey In The Jar 18 Mexican girl 19 If you think you know how to love me Disc 2 1 Have You Ever Seen The Rain 2 Take Good Care... 2010-10-14 19:02:40 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#77763 A select audience filled the newly created Zwick in Hamburg from floor to ceiling. The venue has a similar ethos to Hard Rock Cafes and is adorned with rock memorabilia guitars and character photos. It has only been open for two weeks. Last night was an opportunity to create a special event and put live music into the rocking pub at the same time.Take a minute is due for release in Germany on Friday 15th October. The early indications are that the album will be very popular in this country. Our 90second commercial was available to watch and it shows the band in the finest way doing what we do best with good humour. Its good to have such a positive response towards the album and it was particularly rewarding to experience such a warm reception at our promotional gig. We have live gigs to look forward to in Germany at the beginning of December. In the meantime I shall watch with interest to see how the album is doing while working on the other side of the planet. ... 2010-10-13 01:04:22 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#77378 October is largely reserved for promotion and time is precious before I take the trip to Australia. Consequently I am unable to add another track to The Code Within at this stage. I had hoped to finish two tracks before the end of the year. However the time limit is not set in stone and it is only pure inspiration which will result in the completion of another piece of music. It will be worth the wait that much I can promise. 2010-10-8 15:39:50 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#77103 I can confirm that Smokie will play a short promotional gig in Hamburg on Tuesday 12th October. The set will feature 3 or 4 songs from Take a minute scattered amongst other classic songs. The venue is Rockin Restaurant Zwick Mittelweg 121b D20148 Hamburg ph 040 44 32 67. Come along if you would like to be there for the first airing of songs like Sally and If I cant love you. 2010-10-5 10:34:39 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#77024 The 4th October rings bells for me in a very significant way for it was on that date in 1986 that I ventured to The Batley Frontier to watch a band called Smokie. Less than two years later I became part of the outfit. And the rest as they say is history. 2010-10-4 13:19:37 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#76770 It was in a studio in Leeds where Smokie met our camera crew and record company executive to set about making a 90second commercial for German television. The reaction in Germany has been overwhelming and Take a minute looks like being the album everybody has waited for. There is talk of a promotional gig in Hamburg on 14th October to advertise the albums release one day later. One thing is for sure the Germans love Sally and all the other commercial songs from the new album. 2010-9-30 20:29:45 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#76437 Our audience at The Palace of Culture Oficerov treated us like old friends. They were so much into the gig that they clapped relentlessly at the end of each song. We had to wait for the applause to die down before we could continue. That is unusual in Russia where crowds are more noted for their restraint. It made our final gig in Russia a big pleasure and leaves us with a warm glow at the end of our grueling tour. It is testimony to the determination of my colleagues that we have kept all the gigs to a very high standard regardless of illness and exhaustion. The show must go on is our motto and we live it every day. Theres no time to let the grass grow under our feet as we have urgent business in the Leeds area on Wednesday. For me that means a very brief visit home to pick up fresh clothing before flying once again in a southerly direction. I shall keep you posted. 2010-9-26 19:08:18 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#76307 Somebody had to be first and this time it was the Russians who were the first to hear new material. At an intimate venue known as Fires of Ufa we treated the audience to the live version of Take a minute and it made a big impression. After the show we adjourned to a Scottlish theme pub known as McHighlander. I managed to find an item called Loch Ness Monster on the menu so thats what I had. Apologies to Nessie of course. Rehearsals are going well for other songs in the new set. The band are due to record a video of Sally for German TV on Wednesday 29th September in Yorkshire. Promotion runs through October until our visit to Singapore on 19th. Thats a long way to go for one gig but its what we have been doing for the past week so it is nothing unusual. Our final leg of the Russian tour starts tomorrow with a massive journey to PetropavlovskKamchatskiy followed by an even more massive journey home on Monday. And somewhere in the middle of all the travel is a gig. I ... 2010-9-25 05:15:15 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#75993 After a gruelling 21hour journey to Vladivostok from St Petersburg via Moscow we hit the stage at 8.30 this evening. A sizeable crowd was awaiting us and they were hungry for Smokie music. Radio interviews for the Australia tour came in during the afternoon mostly as we drove through heavy traffic to reach the hotel. It is useful that we are currently in a similar time zone to Oz in fact slightly ahead as we are now 10 hours ahead of BST. Tomorrow we fly 10 hours back to Moscow wait 10 hours then fly to Ufa. There are no short journeys on this Russian tour. And the longest is yet to come when we hit the skies for PetropavlovskKamchatsky. What a glamorous life rock and roll really is 2010-9-21 13:42:50 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#75749 DK Lensoveta the venue in St Petersburg blends in with its surroundings perfectly. It is hard to imagine that behind the main street there is an 1800seater venue. However it is there and it was full last night. Our crowd in St Petersburg gave us a rapturous welcome and were reluctant to let us go. We moved to the Rock Club afterwards to meet some of our most ardent fans. It was a heartwarming start to a very arduous tour which will see us crisscrossing Russia in the usual timeconsuming way passing through many time zones in a way that confuses the biorhythms until we dont know which way is up. We really get to see this country when we visit. From west to east we travel back again then back twice more in 6 days. Its far quicker to just fly to Australia which we will be doing very soon. Keep it warm for us you Aussies. 2010-9-18 07:22:13 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#75712 October is not as busy as it had been planned. The majority of it is now reserved for promotion of Take a minute leaving little room for live gigs. This is a disappointment to many in Scandinavia I realise but I believe the long term effect will be more gigs in this region. Fans have always requested new material. Now we have it and we need to promote it so that others are aware of the new songs. As usual I ask for your patience and be assured that Smokie will come your way in good time. 2010-9-17 13:04:12 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#73683 2010-8-24 22:13:10 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#73682 A few years ago I started writing a book which was to be called Who is Alice anyway. Having sketched out all the chapters and started to fill in some of the details my computer failed completely and all the data was irretrievable. Not to worry for I have started on a new book called I wanna be a rock and roller. All I can say is that I know how it begins and I know how it ends and Im having a lot of fun creating all the stuff in the middle. I have no release date in mind for I will have to see how long it takes me to create this mini novel. I am looking at about a 200page light read. I have plenty of amusing experiences on which to draw. Now I cant wait to read it myself 2010-8-24 22:13:09 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#73527 I have had the great pleasure of going on a skid control course at Knockhill Racing Circuit in Kinross last week. The skidding part is easy as the cars feature nearly bald tyres which are pumped up to 100 psi and the course is continually hosed down to keep it wet. The tricky part is keeping control but it is a great deal of fun. Having mastered both the front and rear wheel drive cars I had a go at emergency stops with and without ABS and also with an obstacle on the course imagined to be a pedestrian who I had to avoid killing in the process. The real climax of the day was when my course instructor tried one final demonstration and ended up crashing at high speed into the barriers at the end of the runway. The car could not be rescued without a tow truck. It was a big finish a bit like Smokies encore and I wondered whether my instructor was going to ask me to have a go at crashing. It was a fabulous day out and leaves me better prepared for any of the skids which I may encounter shou... 2010-8-23 13:18:38 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#73528 2010-8-23 13:18:38 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#72862 The roar from the crowd was mighty as Smokie hit the stage last night. Our general absence from the Danish festivals for a short period coupled with the latest news that we have reached No 1 in the TDC download chart together contributed to creating a potent mix of anticipation and excitement. It was a big finish to the summer season and we went out on a high. Now we take a break during which time there will be rehearsals for the new set in the autumn. Thank you to everyone who has made Take a minute so successful. Smokie will be back soon. Just keep an eye on those tour dates. 2010-8-15 06:34:39 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#72863 2010-8-15 06:34:39 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#72822 I walked at speed along a sunny Ebeltoft Strand as I contemplated another piece of good news which is that Take a minute has been chosen as Radio 2s album of the week for next week. One good feeling leads to another and our gig at Grenas camping ground had a special feelgood factor. Smokie were the only band playing there being no support last night so we had the undivided attention of a happy crowd who seemed to savour every moment of this final summer weekend performance. Several copies of the album were flashed in front of us and we received the undisputed thumbs up from everyone who had heard tracks. The whole day felt lucky and inspirational a fact which cheerily contradicted the superstitious belief about Friday 13th. Long may the good luck continue. 2010-8-14 07:52:17 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#72823 2010-8-14 07:52:17 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#72738 Not only was Take a minute released one week early on 9th August but it has already reached No 3 in the iTunes download chart as well as being No 10 in the physical sales chart. This is staggering news considering the fact that this type of accolade is usually reserved for younger trendier bands than Smokie. Clearly the strong songs have made an impression over here in Denmark and radio play listings include not just the release track Sally but also other ones as well such as Take a minute and If I cant love you. In Germany a favourite track for release and promotion is Nothing hurts like a broken heart which is due to be the bands next rehearsal song. We are on schedule to perform three songs from the album during our October Scandinavian promotion. Other tracks may follow depending on each countrys choices for radio play. 2010-8-13 07:51:23 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#72739 2010-8-13 07:51:23 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#72616 2010-8-11 22:06:56 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#72615 I am inside the Arctic Circle again for the final Norwegian summer event in Tromso the Olfestivalen Ale Festival. Tromso has been dubbed the Paris of the North. Until this afternoon it was shrouded in thick cloud which has now lifted giving rise to a possible opportunity to witness the Aurora Borealis. Smokie have created some special effects of our own tonight particularly amongst this very animated crowd who seemed to give everything they had for this final summer celebration. The gig was right on the harbour in the middle of town a beautiful location with its backdrop of mountains. Its a familiar sight for we were here just four years ago. Next years diary is likely to include more Norwegian dates than this year. I never tire of looking at stunning scenery so I shall be more than happy to oblige. Enjoy the last few days of summer Norway and we will return in October. 2010-8-11 22:06:55 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#72317 While there is still plenty of daylight and the holidays are drawing to a close the Norwegians are making the most of the festival days. The Gressvik Summer Party was packed to bursting and the crowd were in the best mood for partying. Thats lucky for Smokie as it is what we do best. With just one week to go before the break we have some more celebrating to do before we hang up our gig pants. With so many great gigs behind us this year it might take a little while to slow down. The end of the year as the tour dates show is set to be very busy. How lucky we are to still fill our diary each year with such varied locations. 2010-8-7 23:36:27 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#72318 2010-8-7 23:36:27 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#72269 2010-8-7 00:55:48 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#72268 The little village of Treungen in Norway population 700 hosted the Treungenfestivalen an event which has been repeated every year since 2002 and has grown steadily since its inception. Smokie last played it in 2007 and I have noticed a difference in the scale of the event since our last appearance. A perfect sound was witnessed by a recordbreaking crowd who were totally immersed in everything we had to offer. It corresponded to the exact formula which constitutes the ideal festival night. Even the stars in the sky played along to help create a memorable evening. If only summer would last another three months 2010-8-7 00:55:47 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#71855 From the stage some of the audience looked like tiny specks on the horizon. I expect the band must have looked the same from their perspective. The bulk of the audience occupied relatively flat ground around Grundlsee but many more were strewn around the side of the mountain and amongst the trees high above the stage. It was the annual festival held by the Austrian band Seer and Smokie were special guests. A day of very fine weather was followed by a great evening of entertainment of which it was our pleasure to be a part. This had to be one of the most stunning backdrops to a gig ever performed by ourselves and we have surely had many contenders in our career. For beauty alone Austria is worth a visit and when you throw in a gig of this calibre it is an evening as rare as platinum. 2010-8-1 16:31:14 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#71443 For those of you out there with iPods and other associated products you might wish to know that there is now a dedicated Smokie App online from today. It features a jukebox videos news and band information. Now you can carry us around in your pocket as a sort of Smokie Lite. If you dont already own an iPod this is a good reason to acquire one. 2010-7-27 17:24:52 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#71444 2010-7-27 17:24:52 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#71272 2010-7-26 11:21:59 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#71271 There is nothing more gratifying for a band than the sight of an enthusiastic and large festival crowd. Their energy helps to drive the band and encourages us to reach a peak which would otherwise be hard to achieve. The feeling grows as the show progresses and reaches a climax near to the end of the performance. Such a feeling was prevalent last night in Emmendingen where Smokie bade our farewells to our German fans until the end of the year. Its always a little sad to leave except for the fact that our experiences will be similar in other territories so that for us it is an ongoing situation of hallos and goodbyes. Its not a good notion to become too attached as an entertainer yet it is hard not to do so. That is the quandary we all face. In an uncertain world it is good to know that one thing is always there to compensate us and that is the pleasure that is derived from entertaining others. 2010-7-26 11:21:58 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#71185 2010-7-25 09:05:23 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#71184 It was a massive relief to go on stage last night and play a full set as well as take the opportunity to introduce Take a minute to the audience. The setting at Brombachsee was beautiful and the audience were with us all the way. The sky has now cleared and the thunderstorms of recent days have stopped raging and venting their fury. All is quiet and peaceful in the pretty village of Herrieden from where we begin our journey for the last of these German shows of the summer of 2010. 2010-7-25 09:05:20 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#71124 2010-7-24 01:01:39 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#71123 Flying into Berlin Tegel is a familiar experience for I have done it very many times before but I have never had the pleasure of playing a gig at Berlin Templehof the old city airport before last night. Templehof holds many dear memories and it felt strange to see it in these circumstances. An audience of 11000 people filled the inside of Hangar 4 and much of the outside as well. They were treated to a show which featured a huge lineup of bands so huge in fact that each bands playing time was short and Smokie ended up playing for 20 minutes towards the end of the night. Of course a short show can be a very succinct statement of the bands repertoire yet it is merely a warmingup period during which the players settle in. However the crowd were well into what we had to offer and seemed to accept the format. It was unusual to drive away from this massive monument to the past without a boarding pass or suitcase in sight. How things change 2010-7-24 01:01:38 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#71078 2010-7-23 08:36:36 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#71077 The town of Burghausen near the Austrian border in the south is one of the most charming in Germany. Described by Wilhelm Hausenstein as beautiful like a fairytale it is home to Europes longest castle. The high temperature yesterday also made it the perfect holiday destination. A holiday would be nice but I was here to entertain. As the evening approached so did the storm clouds and an impressive thunderstorm heralded Smokies departure for the gig in Neuotting. If you have ever seen the Hammer House of Horror Dracula films you will know that the lightning effects were so frequent that it seemed like the lighting man was being paid for each strike. Lightning is just not like that in reality or is it It certainly was last night and had five grown men looking starryeyed at the amazing spectacle. Everything else was forgotten temporarily as we ploughed through newlyformed rivers in the road while keenly watching the sky. The venue was a tent which was rapidly filling with water in the bac... 2010-7-23 08:36:35 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#70833 2010-7-20 12:39:15 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#70832 With less than one month to go before the Scandinavian release of Take a minute there is much excitement about this new album. If you havent already caught the trailer here is the link httpwww.youtube.comwatchvIr36N7OD96cNow you finally have a chance to find out about Sally who after all was right there at the start of the story before Alice made her untimely departure. 2010-7-20 12:39:14 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#70661 OK thats a corny title but the thunderstorms brought havoc to Seewen in Switzerland the location for last nights gig. The rain deluged and invaded the stage in a way which echoes the dripping scenes from Scotlands recent T in the Park. But who needs good weather As long as the band are up for it we were and the audience are still present and enthusiastic they were there is no problem. It was in fact an excellent night in a beautiful setting. It was good to be back in Switzerland again and get a chance to catch up with some of the fans who see us more occasionally than others. In reality every night is a good night and each one has its own unique story. There may be much to tell this week as we embark on a 4day German tour. Just watch this space. 2010-7-18 14:08:19 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#70298 2010-7-13 15:54:30 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#70297 We may as well have been in Nashville Tennessee. However we were actually in Newark amongst the most devoted of country music fans. The atmosphere was mellow and the mood was laid back. There was no need to book the best seats as everyone brought their own which they were encouraged to abandon in favour of standing up. I think we brought a party element to this festival. It was clear we had made a good impression as we were invited back to this and other country festivals next year. How can we refuse such a sincere offer The way to book Smokie is to confirm a date for next year as soon as possible before someone else does. The warm dry day ended perfectly with a smile on all faces. We are sure to see more of England in these circumstances particularly because it was the promoters idea to book us many times before. This was surely his year and it was a pleasure to bring realisation to his plan. Thank you to all our fans old and new. We will be back. Now wheres my stetson 2010-7-13 15:54:28 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#70075 2010-7-11 01:46:44 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#70074 When the Irish are really getting into a gig they stand on chairs tables the bar and even each other. Last nights crowd at The Abbey Hotel were in full climbing mode and more than adequately displayed their vocal abilities. It was possibly a relief to come in from the driving rain for a while and get wet on the inside for contrast. One party leads to another and nobody wishes to leave once they have reached the point of no return. The building was still trembling from the disco well into the small hours and the last to leave could well have stayed for breakfast a wellknown hangover cure if there is sufficient fat. Time has no relevance here so it is best to just go with the flow. And what a flow it is. Fun from beginning to end. 2010-7-11 01:46:43 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#69487 2010-7-4 07:59:55 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#69486 When we are having a really good time we just dont want it to end. Since there is no end to the daylight in Northern Norway at this time of year it is quite possible to keep the party going. Its hard to leave but we must always move on. We arrived at Sjovegan by boat and departed in the same way waving to a massive crowd of happy people. I must have said goodbye a hundred times yet there were still more folks who emerged from somewhere to have that last photo taken. Happiness breeds more happiness until the mood more accurately reflects ecstasy. This was a night to rank amongst the favourites for 2010. Every gig is different and each one has some defining feature which makes it memorable. As I look out on sundrenched snowy mountains I fix that image in my mind. Its a happy memory. We shall return as sure as the sun will rise and set. Even if good things must come to an end there is nothing to stop them starting again some time in the future. Such is the cyclical nature... 2010-7-4 07:59:54 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#69452 Its not suitable for children but we filmed the landing in the Citation 3 at Stuttgart last Saturday. The video clip may be found by going to www.youtube.com and typing in psollitt and selecting the Citation 3 movie. Its good for a giggle 2010-7-3 11:51:38 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#69453 2010-7-3 11:51:38 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#69168 2010-6-29 17:53:24 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#69167 How to give maximum value to your fans just appear in two countries in one day. Now imagine a time when this is possible not just between countries but between planets and we are really ready to rock. Smokie kicked off the afternoon at the festival which changed its name from Glam Rock to Oldies in Esbjerg Denmark. The audience were fresh and lively and ready for a long evening of entertainment. Our own visit was necessarily short as we took the call from our pilot Michael of North Flying that he was ready to go if we were. Our chartered Cessna Citation 3 made hast to Stuttgart Airport where our driver was waiting on the tarmac. A short drive later we had a couple of hours to freshen up before hitting the open air stage in Mossingen where the audience had already been thoroughly entertained by various bands. Another keen crowd made the whole day seem effortless and fun. A hot summers day helped to keep the mood mellow yet the cooler evening brought on a new surge of energy from our li... 2010-6-29 17:53:23 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#67812 The setting was unusual being placed adjacent to a gas station. When it comes to creating a magical atmosphere there are no rules as to where to place a gig for it is the people who make the night special. I shouldnt be surprised by anything that happens in this business after so many years but sometimes I still am. As I looked out to the audience I saw very many young people showing their absolute enjoyment and familiarity with Smokie music. As the final notes faded the sky exploded with fireworks a sight which caused very much surprise considering our proximity to all that fuel. It was in all ways an explosive night which continued into the small hours with a very long signing session. When do we return to The Czech Republic We can never be sure to answer this question from avid fans who will surely count the days until our return but there may yet be answers nobody anticipated. I think we need more than 365 days in a year. 2010-6-13 09:57:33 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#67813 2010-6-13 09:57:33 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#67735 It was a hot and sultry evening in Vyrava where the gig was tented from above for cover and open at the sides for fresh air. Predicted thunderstorms have not yet occurred but they are on the menu today. The audience were with us every step of the way and the show seemed to pass in a flash. Time has a curious way of speeding up when we enjoy ourselves but then it is as I recently pointed out an illusory parameter. I would love to be able to bottle some of this fantastic energy we all create by performing music to a happy crowd. For sure there would no longer be any energy crisis on Earth. 2010-6-12 08:22:20 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#67483 Various titles for Smokies forthcoming album were put forward one of which Take a minute has been chosen. Take a minute is one of the twelve tracks and it has been picked because it aptly summarises the mood of the album for it is very informal. The album is due for a staggered release beginning with the Scandinavian territories at the end of August. Australia in the meantime has scheduled a greatest hits collection before the release of the new album. A proposed tour of South Africa early next year will most likely follow the release of Take a minute. European territories will see a release in combination with the bands tour schedule. With the right focus from distributors you could well see copies of this album in your local store and that would be a welcome change. 2010-6-9 11:36:09 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#67087 A veritable flotilla of boats from Nuuq arrived in Maniitsoq Harbour in readiness for the Smokie gig. Crowds thronged the streets and filled the Sports Hall. There is no time relevance in this little place due to the prolonged daylight hours so that whole families are still outside in their gardens after midnight. The meager PA system struggled to fill the hall with sound yet the noise from the audience more than made up for any decibel deficit. All the excitement of Nuuq in 1997 came flooding back as fans requested multiple signatures on items of clothing body parts and any scraps of paper they could find. Smokie do not pass this way often so every photo opportunity had to be taken. It has been a hugely memorable excursion to Greenland and one I would love to repeat in future for very many reasons. 2010-6-5 22:02:40 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#66961 The air in Maniitsoq is very clean and pure and the light quality is the best to be found anywhere on Earth. This makes good photography an easy task. I am just outside the Arctic Circle at around 65 degrees and 20 minutes. I was awoken early by sunlight which beckoned me to get up and get moving which I did at 5 oclock. Thats not an unusual time in this business since I am often at an airport at that time but today was different for I didnt need to go anywhere so it was a pleasure to do so voluntarily. I met several Greenlanders in the early hours all of whom were friendly and some of whom are due to attend tonights concert. I feel already that there is going to be a very vocal and enthusiastic support for the band since everyone I have met has registered their excitement at our appearance here in Maniitsoq. The audience will mostly arrive by boat because that is the main mode of transport here. I think the harbour will be rather full. I feel that I know this village and its boating c... 2010-6-4 10:13:15 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#66932 Although Maniitsoq is not the easiest place to get to its not the hardest either and what a great view I had on the way. A night in Copenhagen was followed by the only flight in to Greenland this morning. I remember Kangerlussuaq well and it hasnt changed a bit in the last 13 years. There is no security for it is possible to walk off the street and straight on to the tarmac without being challenged. All passengers wait patiently in the same general area which is open to the public in a very informal way. The DASH 7 still has an area at the front of the plane without seats and in which it is possible to store all manner of merchandise making it a sort of scheduled flight with cargo included. The mood here is very laid back and the only hotel in town is constantly besieged by autographhunting youngsters with big smiles on their faces. Tonight I shall board a small craft to do some whalewatching. The whales are visible most of the time from the dining room window but I have the opportunit... 2010-6-3 20:45:58 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#66585 A full house greeted Smokie at Waldbuhne Schwarzenberg and the crowd were on top form. It takes a good 12000 bodies to fill this venue and the view from the stage was terrific. It was good to catch up with Nazareth again. They also have a very hectic tour schedule and we tend to meet up in the most surprising parts of the globe. Our own tour schedule starts to expand as we approach the summer months and take on the more ambitious of our travel agendas. No corner of the earth is outofbounds to us so expect to see us in a big variety of places this year. 2010-5-31 14:37:31 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#65923 If Freddie Cream was alive today he would probably be a rock and roller. Otherwise known as Bedrich Smetana he was one of The Czech Republics most wellknown composers. I have played some of his melodies during my training as a classical pianist. Today I was very kindly given a copy of his work Ma vlast or My Country with the comment that some of my Loch Ness Enigmas is in a similar style. That is praise indeed. Then I was asked in an interview about my new project The Code Within which is so hot off the press that I am amazed that it is already known of in this faroff land. Such is the power of the internet. But last nights icing on the cake came in the form of a full house in the voluminous Zimni Stadion in Trebic. It has to rank as the hottest gig Smokie have ever played in an ice hockey arena. It marks the end of this mini tour yet it was the only show we performed in The Czech Republic this month. We will return in June as you can see from the tour dates. Good ... 2010-5-23 00:01:56 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#65879 In a state of stress you can achieve a few things and be partially fulfilled while in a state of relaxation you can achieve more than you imagined and be totally satisfied. You have the choice. 2010-5-22 06:03:46 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#65818 It shouldnt be hard to find the Garmin Arena since Garmin was the originator of Satellite Navigation. However GPS wasnt needed last night as my hotel was next door to the venue. I am getting a very real impression of just how popular ice hockey is over here because most of the venues are ice hockey stadiums or is it stadia a Latin plural. Also I was woken recently by a message on my television which invited me to the lobby to watch an ice hockey game. It was a really nice invitation but sometimes a little rest can go a long way to reviving flagging energy especially after recent journeys. I hardly need to tell you that the audience last night gave Smokie a welcome which was many degrees warmer than the ambient temperature. It has been a very successful and rewarding threeday mini tour of Slovakia which has created many new and happy memories. I hope we will soon return this way. 2010-5-21 08:01:38 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#65725 A sizeable and enthusiastic crowd helped to mop up some of the enormous reverb which permeated the Mestska Sportova Hala in Nitra. The venue is mostly suited to sporting activities and has no facilities to muffle the strains of loud music when it hosts an evening of musical entertainment. However this did nothing to dampen the spirits of those who had turned up to see the band who are responsible for some of the most enduring tunes from Slovakias past. It was a great night and it left many of us in party mood long after the echos finally faded. 2010-5-20 09:06:42 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#65634 Our records show that Smokies last appearance in Slovakia was in 1983. This is quite some period of absence and has created a hunger for live performances by the band which translated to a very well received show at Sportova Hala Pasiensky in Bratislava last night. It was a great pleasure to finally bring our music to this country and find such a warm welcome from its people. Its my wish that there will be more shows in Slovakia as a result of these three events and perhaps that will happen. I can certainly say that we are pushing all the right buttons. 2010-5-19 08:59:31 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#65576 I was aware that journeys could get pretty interesting in these volcanic times and yesterday certainly gave me the opportunity to visit parts of the UK which surprised me. As I left Inverness I thought I was on my way to Aberdeen but it was not to be. My new routing took me 600 miles south to Stansted Airport where Smokies last chance to reach Bratislava awaited in the form of a 0630 Ryanair departure this morning. As luck would have it the flight made its destination and everyone is in place for tonights show. The return journey is equally interesting for me and takes me back via Yorkshire where my car is now parked. Its reassuring to find that there are now more lenient restrictions on flying through ash and also the news that the cloud is disappearing over the UK. Still these are exciting times and serve to remind us that the Earth will have the final say when it comes to planning excursions. We are only visitors to this wonderful planet and as such should be prepared for all it has... 2010-5-18 15:24:40 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#65309 The setting for last nights gig was the glittering Bamboo Mamaia where Florin was celebrating his 50th birthday along with several invited guests. It was hot and steamy under the big top but that didnt prevent the audience from getting on their feet and showing us that they were there to enjoy themselves. The room was adorned with variously designed sofas on raised flooring and there was a long catwalk which came in handy for wireless guitar solos and general meandering. My next stop is Slovakia after a very brief call at home to do some laundry and keep the dogs company. You see there is normality in my life its not all rock and roll 2010-5-15 01:11:30 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#65288 Time is merely an illusion the variables of which are entirely created by the individual 2010-5-14 16:58:55 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#64891 There is a certain mystery to the whole travel experience now and this brings uncertainty into the equation as well as turning tour schedules upside down. I can say that the band was lucky enough to all be in Spain for a tremendous gig at Sohail Castle Fuengirola last night. Because the whole evening was organised by Danish promoters there was a very Scandinavian feel to the evening. The castle was beautifully floodlit creating a stunning backdrop to a perfect evening. The tricky bit came on the homeward journey when the ash cloud again made its move causing us to be delayed several hours and eventually take a circuitous route via Portugal to give a wide berth to the obstacle. I have noticed that my fellow travellers some of them have developed a fatalistic view of travel and like me greatly lowered their expectations regarding where they will finally land. Anywhere on the mainland will now do as long as it can be reached. As I write I am a long way from home but I have a good chance o... 2010-5-9 18:07:53 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#64717 Today marks the real start of the project titled The Code Within. The first track titled Cosmic Field is now uploaded to tune stores globally not just iTunes Europe and Amazon MP3. But the real puzzle is the artwork which represents oneninth of the overall picture. The whole picture will be apparent once all 9 tracks have been downloaded and as a special service to those who have followed the series I plan to make available a limited number of complete pieces of signed artwork. It takes a couple of weeks before Cosmic Field will be downloadable so watch this space for news of when it will go hot. Please join me in this adventure I have no idea where it will lead but I know it will be worth the journey. 2010-5-6 19:02:29 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#64214 I have just embarked on an exciting new project titled The Code Within. This will be an album of 9 tracks recorded over possibly a 2year period ending in 2012 and uploaded individually with 9 pieces of artwork. When all 9 are placed together the whole picture will emerge. This puzzle will create one beautiful finished image. The music is meditational and the first track Cosmic Field will soon be uploaded for your enjoyment. The creation of such music takes me on a very different journey to that which I experience from within Smokie. Its an individual undertaking yet it speaks to very many people on different levels. As new ideas arise in connection with this project I shall keep you informed. 2010-4-30 10:40:56 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#63568 For a different viewpoint on the recent Icelandic volcanic eruption take a look at the following link and click on Icelands dreadful revenge on the world. Its written by David Bullard who aint heavy but he is my brother.httpwww.moneyweb.co.za 2010-4-22 09:49:31 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#63343 Soaking up the reverb thats what its all about. If you get a big enough audience into the old and echoey City Hall you have the recipe for a good sound. Well we had exactly that on Saturday night our last night of the tour. It was without doubt our best appearance at this venue and was driven along by a very keen audience. The tour has been a feast of 7 excellent shows delivered to wildly enthusiastic audiences. Next time we pass this way we can be sure that there will be plenty of people waiting for our return. More regular visits to UK venues thats what we need. Perhaps we will see lots more in future especially if the volcano seals off all airports. We are after all a touring band and it doesnt have to necessarily be by aeroplane. 2010-4-19 17:08:39 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#63192 The Corn Exchange is an old friend of ours. Several great gigs have taken place there and we always seem to arrive when the sun is shining. A peaceful afternoon is spent taking in the Norfolk air and watching ships and barges pass close by the venue and then we wander to the stage for a relaxed but energetic show. It would look good in a Constable painting. I think the odd haywain on stage would add to the local attraction. I always leave with the feeling that time doesnt matter. That was exactly how I felt when I lived in Suffolk many years ago with its tiny rural communities. We all need a bit of that same attitude from time to time just to help us draw back from the crazy world and examine what we truly are. Driving away from Kings Lynn is like taking a fast train to the future. Lets go back again after so great a gig Im sure we will 2010-4-17 09:32:51 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#63111 Not even a blanket of volcanic ash in the ionosphere could smother the enthusiasm of our Halifax audience at The Victoria Theatre. This Yorkshire crowd loved its Yorkshire band and appreciated the comments from stage about our home county. There was no need to ask Does anyone speak English here. It makes a change for us to be in a place where English is the first language and our humour is totally understood. It was a packed house full of people in party mood. Weve not yet been regular visitors to Halifax but I feel that after this hugely successful night we could become regulars. Now I hope the ash will settle and allow some of our overseas visitors the opportunity to fly home. We are all in the hands of the elements yet again. 2010-4-15 23:54:23 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#63056 The overall viewpoint in Rhyl last night was that Smokie need to visit more often because every four years is not enough. I have to say that there was the most stunning sunset out at sea just before we hit the stage which set a very mellow mood. The audience quickly warmed to us and showed their appreciation. Our future in this part of North Wales is assured so we only need to pick a suitable date and we will be sure to see many of the same people returning for another happy night with the band. 2010-4-15 00:22:11 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#62985 Youll not find a warmer reception to Smokie than in Englands North East. Darlingtons finest turned out to see the band leaving an unsatisfied demand for tickets which could easily have seen a second night sold out. It was Tuesday also now known as Micro Friday yet the reaction was similar to that found at weekends. The Civic Theatre is an old friend of ours because not only does it sound great but it also attracts people with big hearts. Leaving the North East is like temporarily packing away your favourite teddy bear its an emotional moment yet it promises a return to your comfort zone at some time in the near future. Touring is the name of our game and we are looking towards North Wales as the sun heralds a new day. Is there no end to the variety which colours our fascinating career 2010-4-14 00:25:00 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#62891 If you are a Facebook user I can fully recommend Holly Uttleys campaign to put Smokie back in the charts. As well as spreading the good will amongst some young Facebook members my two children included she has also taken recent photos of the band and producer in The Chairworks Studio in the process of creating the new album. So just log in and find out just what type of working environment became our home for 12 days. The pool table didnt get much use of course but it still needed to be photographed do you actually believe that 2010-4-13 08:30:32 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#62818 The audience brought with them a Springlike mood which lifted the show from the first note to the last. This was helped of course by the magnificent acoustics and layout of The Southport Theatre and Convention Centre. Our regular Smokie fans stated You guys just get better and better like a fine wine. Perhaps like wine you cant tell when youve had enough. If less is more should we be giving less I dont think so. In our business it is a case of the more the merrier. I shall stay merry and I hope you will join me for some more. 2010-4-12 10:10:40 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#62743 Try reading this with a smile on your faceThe only person responsible for my happiness is me for I generate my own happiness. All I need to do is be happy and others will pick up on my happiness and they will start to be happy. They in turn will make others happy and soon everyone around them will be happy. Its not rocket science it ishttpwww.lawofattractioninteraction.comvideoGetHappy.html 2010-4-11 08:26:55 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#62675 A very full auditorium at The Winding Wheel greeted Smokie on our first UK date this year. Fresh from the studio we were ready to convert some of that recording energy into live action. The result was tremendous and the comments from the audience after the show confirmed their delight. It was a strong start to this mini tour and a confirmation that there is plenty of support for the band in our home country. 2010-4-10 09:33:05 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#62214 Because there are often twelve tracks on an album I call them the dirty dozen. Our twelfth and final track is Mikes This is wot I did a song which is familiar to all of us. During the recording process today there will be still photos which will be used for the album sleeve. The project is nearly completed and Chief can return to his reservation behind the third teepee on the left. Meanwhile I shall battle gale force winds to put the Land Rover on a northwesterly heading for The Highlands. 2010-4-5 09:06:50 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#62198 What a strange headline. What can it possibly mean In a nutshell we have devoted part of our Easter Sunday to recording Micks very lovely ballad til the grass grows over me which is also sung by Mick. It has a lightweight guitar and piano backing with no drumbeat but with lyrics which just melt your heart. Its one beautiful song and provides a refreshing contrast to other tracks on the album which concentrate on creating a celebratory mood. There is variety in this new Smokie work and some surprise melodies. All in all I would say its very much an album for the fans and for anyone who likes to look on the bright side of life. I look forward to touring some of the songs and finding out what the audience think of our new offering. 2010-4-4 18:58:24 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#62142 My luck is in for we have worked so rapidly that I am free to return for a couple of days to Scotland on Monday. This is great news for me and will give me a chance to see my family before turning round again and returning to England on Thursday. Any time spent at home is very precious so it is very great opportunity at this time. And I think my chocolate supplies will still be waiting for me. Happy Easter to all 2010-4-3 20:09:07 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#62037 Today felt nothing like the holiday it promised to be for the nation for we again recorded two songs which were I dont wanna lose you baby and Unring a bell. With ten songs now in the can we have an Easter weekend of guitar and keyboard overdubs as well as a ballad to record on Sunday which is only for myself and Mick to create allowing a weekend off for the remainder of the band. Then Monday sees us recording our final track before reviewing everything on Tuesday and then finally closing the shutters on this most inspiring project. For my part I shall be a long way from my family during Easter since the recordings are made in Yorkshire. The album project leads directly into an English tour and then I finally make it home on 18th April. My Easter Egg will just have to wait until my return. The album as I understand is scheduled for an Autumn release. In the meantime a very large chicken will have to sit on it until it is ready to hatch 2010-4-2 17:20:20 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#61950 Only Mick could bring the real flavour of Ireland to this album and his song My Celtic Days is testament to his effort at bringing a very organic taste of the shamrock isle. You can almost smell the Guinness as the beat conjures up memories of music nights in Irish pubs with tables strewn with beer. Smokie has a long and happy association with Ireland and its people having already collaborated with one of Irelands best known characters Tommy Swarbrigg. If you dont feel the urge to sing along with this one and perhaps try a bit of Riverdance you are most likely already asleep. 2010-4-1 16:35:10 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#61883 Could this be the sequel to Living next door to Alice We always wondered what happened to Sally and now we have the chance to find out after recording Sally today. The ending is strictly secret until the album release but I can tell you that she has gone somewhere other than where she lived before. Maybe she caught up with Alice but we dont know because she didnt say. Are you keen to find out Watch out for Smokies new album in your country the title of which is under discussion at present. Such is the creative process that we cannot be sure of anything until the final pressing. All I can tell you is that there is a great deal of thought going into this recording which I believe will be the biggest fan pleaser for many years. 2010-3-31 18:26:53 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#61777 No because its called The biggest lie. Written by Terry this song has been given the laid back ballad treatment and has emerged as a very chilled out backing to a fine set of lyrics. Our day begins with a team meeting with Chief in which he lays out his plan for the days song then progresses to an acoustic only rehearsal until the format is established. Thereafter the band jam the song until everyone has their part firmly fixed in their head after which the record button comes into play and a version of the song is committed to hard drive before we break for lunch. The afternoon is devoted to instrument overdubs and backing vocals while the evening is reserved for any other bits which can enhance the track e.g. percussion. Its a rapid way to make an album and the recording is well on schedule. In keeping with record company policy no unfinished tracks leave the studio so there are no monitor mixes available to hear before the album is released. 2010-3-30 17:48:05 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#61701 Chief has dubbed Monday Micro Friday because it is a long way from the weekend but the idea to party on Friday is not far away. As the week progresses it becomes Mini Friday and then finally Friday arrives. If lots of people around the world get that same feeling we could have a real winner with Lets do it again which we recorded today. If our world revolves around the weekend and a chance to celebrate we are aligned with a huge number of people in many nations. Making a drinking song on a Monday was like recording the Christmas Album in July strange but totally possible. I hope all who hear this become totally infatuated with the atmosphere because it is like bottling the essence of a party and letting others share in the result. 2010-3-29 18:22:48 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#61640 Why record just one song in a day when you can make two Were developing some speed in operation as a result of getting accustomed to our live setup in the studio with which everyone is now comfortable. Todays song list included Friends will be friends and If I cant love you both of which are capable of causing a shiver of excitement on listening. These are very melodic simple tunes with great hooks and excellent chord structures. So where is the threechord trick Well thats tomorrow and it promises to evolve as a real party track just so long as we can create the impression of a group of people having a really good time. That shouldnt be too difficult because we are. 2010-3-28 21:57:33 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#61559 Todays highly enjoyable task was to record Nothing hurts like a broken heart. Its an easy melody which we have Smokiefied and polished leaving it with a live feel and plenty of atmosphere. Work finished early as some of the band were keen to get home to their families enjoy Saturday night at home and have a chance to adapt to the changing of the clocks before waking to another challenge in the morning. 2010-3-27 17:45:34 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#61498 It was always my wish to record an album as a band rather than individually which has been the usual method since the 1980s. The groove is so much better and the mood is captured in a way which cannot be pinned down when each player goes alone into a cubicle. Our producer Lars Pedersen has been a strong motivator in todays session which has resulted in a very pleasing outcome. I believe that this new album will represent Smokie in a way we have never experienced before and could really give new inspiration to fans old and new. The first track is titled Take a minute and it sounds very cool. Tonights homework is already in our in trays so we may be ready to jam the next song and create a similar feelgood factor tomorrow. The sessions finish at 10.00 p.m. and then we make use of a little free time before preparing for the next day. Recording starts in the morning at 10.00 a.m. after a brief business breakfast and a chance to review the days work. Its a little like having a real job but a... 2010-3-26 18:32:50 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#61370 Its Ladies Week on the slopes in Grossarl which suits Smokie very well since most of our music is about girls and relationships. A packed tent was the venue for a very energetic night in the Springfilled skiing village. There was still enough snow to ski right to the lowest levels and maybe straight into a local hostelry. But our focus was more on the show which followed the slope activity and it was a winner. As night slipped away so did the band in time for an early flight to Zurich and Manchester and an early meeting with our Producer Lars who goes by the nickname The Chief. Tomorrow we wake to a different tune and the start of our album recording. I shall keep you informed on this website so carry on logging on if you wish to chart our progress. 2010-3-25 10:16:36 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#60936 A cliffhanger travel day ended with a onehour delay to our onstage time after a GPS system sent the band on a wild goose chase to find the venue. Amazingly all the other factors like flight connections and baggage transfers went like clockwork regardless of the short connection in Zurich. Thats all part of travel as you may know and melts into insignificance when the show starts and our real reason for being in Neumarkt takes preference. The audience had waited a long time but soon warmed to the band as the hits started to roll out. It was a short and punchy show which put the emphasis on the most wellknown songs only once departing from that agenda to include Diane Warrens song And the night stood still from our Wild Horses album of 1997. Almost as quickly as we had arrived we were back on the road again to take up position at Nuremberg Airport where the early flight returns me home for a brief period before taking to the road for a gig in Austria an album recording and a UK tour. Nex... 2010-3-19 22:11:58 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#60878 I saw a sign in a tavern in Temple Bar which said Celebrate St Patricks Week. So its a week now is it Well why not because after all it is the cause of massive celebration and like Christmas it can lead to extended holidays and the urge to carry on the party. Thats pretty much what Smokie do carry on the party. Our show at The Olympia follows in the tradition which we have now set which is to have a really good celebration while in Dublin. It is as you may know the world epicentre of revelry so it would be foolish not to join in. I think I spotted a few folks who could do with a couple of days to let their livers dry out before attacking the next pint of Guinness. But it is always with joy and good humour rarely an angry word that the Irish extend the party way past the small hours and into the bigger ones. I have no doubt that we will catch sight of a few such people as we make our way to the airport for another country and another gig. Its another reason to smile in a happy country 2010-3-19 00:10:24 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#60821 Mullingar was festooned with greenery as was Munich New York Sydney and even Beijing on this Paddys Day as I can see in news reports from around the world. In true Spring form the winds picked up in time to blow all the post parade junk around these streets. It also served the purpose of blowing the audience in through the front door of The Greville Arms and safely into the function room where Smokie were ready to keep the party going. Maybe some folks were not planning on being in that place but the elements have a way of shaping our lives as we know from this last icy winter.A select crowd enjoyed an intimate show and it was a superb ending to an actionpacked day. When I closed my eyes after the show all I could see was green 2010-3-18 09:18:20 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#60695 The Town Hall was a new venue for Smokie having usually played The Black Box in the past. It is an intimate theatre which oozed a very welcoming atmosphere on this St Patricks Eve. For us it began a mini Irish tour which sees us returning to some favourite locations. Tomorrow we will be dodging street parties to gain access to our hotel before the revelry takes over completely and seals off all roads. Its a fun game which we play once a year. 2010-3-16 23:13:00 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#60515 Its always a pleasure to start a show in the early evening and makes a great contrast to the usual late beginning. The audience at the Congress Centre in Heidenheim were in need of warming up but this took no time at all as they appreciated the fresh opener to our set with Desperate Measures. Time just flew for all of us and the pace never dampened for a moment. I feel that we demanded quite a bit of energy from this fresh audience and left them with a thoroughly good feeling. Its a twoway affair this gigging for it gives and takes energy from everyone in the room and still leaves us with a euphoric afterglow. If only cars ran on this type of energy there would be no fuel crisis and no inflated prices 2010-3-14 19:37:39 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#60370 Both Amazon MP3 and iTunes have now released the new intro Measures Intro which is being used as an opener to some of Smokies live shows. Very few people have heard it at this time so beat the rush and get online then part with 1630.79 for the privilege of owning your own copy. You then have my permission to play it loud and often but not if you are creating noise pollution or unnecessary CO2 emissions. 2010-3-12 10:42:26 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#60348 Selling is not my strong point but I parted with an old friend this week my red Roland AX1 keyboard which found its way to America after selling on Ebay. The keyboard in question also known as a keytar is worn round the neck and played like a guitar. The look was popular in the 1980s and is starting to reemerge but not for me. I am firmly betrothed to the beast also known as the Roland Fantom G8 which is my workstation for all musical projects. Were a fickle lot we musicians especially where technology is concerned 2010-3-11 21:32:21 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#59892 Tomorrow is my 22nd anniversary of being part of Smokie. I am writing this today because I shall be relaxing all day tomorrow and that will be the last time I shall do that on a Sunday for many months. I still look out on 6 inches of snow there being only a very slow melt since last weekend. The calendar says it is Spring but the thermometer says it is still winter. And touring and recording start again next week with no break until the end of August. New songs are coming thick and fast and the whole project kicks into action on 26th March. I have done some preparation here at Enrick Studio and have offered one new song to the project. With new material and a busy touring year there will be much variety in 2010. 2010-3-6 10:41:50 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#59267 Atrocious weather conditions yesterday effectively cut off The Highlands of Scotland closing all road and rail links. The snow continues to fall reminding me of 1963 and all attempts to shovel are futile as the level keeps rising. This has meant that for me the Annette Fox Leukaemia Charity Dinner is impossible to attend. My colleagues have reassured me that they will carry the onehour show in my absence but my disappointment is hard to hide. On the positive side I have donated a prize which should help very much to boost the auction takings and have also been asked by the kennel owners where my dogs are staying over the weekend to donate all of their income to the charity. Its peoples big hearts that save the day not transport links. 2010-2-26 08:23:32 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#59053 The audience on the Cinderella were the first to hear the new intro to Smokies live show beginning with Desperate Measures. I have uploaded this new intro to iTunes Europe and Amazon MP3 today and it will go live in 24 weeks time. Known as Measures Intro it is 2 minutes and 31 seconds long. Thats nearly enough time to make a cup of tea depending on how quick your water boils. So look out for it some time in March if you wish to download a copy for your own archives. Its cheaper than a newspaper and much more inspiring 2010-2-23 20:35:13 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#58831 The Fun Club on Deck 8 of Viking Lines ship Cinderella is aptly named for we always have fun there. Drawing a crowd is easy because members of the public are on board the ship bound for duty free Mariehamn in Finland. With frozen decks and massive ice sheets covering the waterways the surroundings on route were reminiscent of The North Pole. The low stage overlooking three floor levels of the club is now very familiar to us as is the wildly enthusiastic response from the audience. Its an easy night in comfortable surroundings and a gig Im sure we will see again on a regular basis. Its good to be back in Sweden. Next up is our annual charity event which continues to raise money for The Annette Fox Leukaemia appeal supplying more necessary equipment for the oncology section of Bradfords Royal Infirmary. Any breaks in the schedule are being utlised to choose and routine new songs for the forthcoming album. 2010-2-20 20:44:25 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#58537 You may notice I have been absent from the cyberworld in the last three days due to long journeys and the need to have clothes rather than a computer in my bag. Even this proved difficult as my suitcase trailed two days behind me after a standard Schipol changeover. All was well eventually and even the hardnosed security personnel in Moscow who wanted to question me all day about the contents of my case had to finally release me to the freedom of the west. Smokies first show back after the break at CCH Cosmos in Ekaterinburg was a riproaring event with energy plus. We have never failed to excite a Russian audience regardless of their claims that they usually dont stand up during a concert and Saturday night was no exception. After the show we made our usual trip to a quality restaurant via the massive ice sculpture in the centre of the city. It was extremely impressive along the lines of the ice hotel in Northern Sweden and featured a bandstand bridge balustrades and many carved animal... 2010-2-16 10:15:26 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#57841 There is something special about the number 14 for me. With 14 Smokie songs to my name I have now written my 14th Smokie Intro. This one is as an opener for Desperate Measures which will occasionally be the new starter for the show. I shall upload it to Amazon MP3 and iTunes eventually once it has been gigged and approved by the band. In the meantime you will just have to see Smokies show to wrap your ears around it. 2010-2-6 11:18:29 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#57492 If you take a look at the tour dates you will see that Smokie are set for a very busy year. I have not included the days in March and April when we are due to record the new album. If I did you would see that I will have a real problem getting clean clothes because there is no time to do the laundry. Our fans in Sweden and Denmark will be pleased to see how often we will grace your shores. The Australian Tour is complete so now is the time to look out for tickets if you are in Oz. They make good early Christmas presents This year will see our first return to Greenland after being the first international band to play there in 1998 beating Blur by one week. And we are due to headline a major country festival in Nottingham UK on 11th July between Scandinavian gigs. That is a first for us. Even at this stage in our career there are new experiences to be enjoyed. The airlines will love us for we are due to set a record in number of flights this year. One hundred gigs here we come and we ho... 2010-2-2 05:02:40 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#57388 What a shock to the system going from minus 10 to plus 33 Celsius from frostbite to sunburn in one easy step My break in Australia was fantastically relaxing making up for the difficult travelling conditions on both the outward and return journeys. It is as well that I was not touring during January because the UK has seen a mass of airport and road closures which would have sealed off any route I might have taken to Europe.Anyway that is behind me now and I feel great after the break. The snowman has just about melted at home yet I can look forward to beginning the Smokie tour in Siberia in case Id forgotten what icycles look like. I am awaiting news of the new album recording this year which is set for March and April. Just another few days to get things sorted at home before I start that dizzy round of touring again. But today I am catching up on sleep and bringing myself gradually back into the UKs time zone. Until that happens I will no doubt continue to get up at 2.00 a.m. and s... 2010-1-31 16:46:00 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#55312 The centre of Craiova was resplendent with lights the town hall dazzling with a glittering array which made the whole building resemble a Christmas tree. The preparations had been carried out on a massive scale to give this proud city a fairytale look of charm. Smokies backdrop was stunning and the show that followed entirely matched the mood. A break in the performance at five minutes to midnight allowed for a spectacular display of fireworks and a chance to see in the New Year before continuing the show in 2010. The mayors plan to fashion Craiova on the model of Vienna has worked and the results are impressive.Now we take a break and a chance to revive flagging energy before starting again in February. I shall visit Australia for a couple of weeks and then make preparations for a new intro to the show and maybe some new album material for a recording which is still in the planning stages. It looks like 2010 will have a fresh set of challenges for Smokie in other words business as us... 2010-1-2 09:14:02 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#55134 A combination of long journeys freezing weather and power cuts kept me away from the internet yesterday hence no report of the gig in Ludwigsburg so far. But I can tell you that there was a very animated crowd at Ludwigsburg Arena on 27th December. There was no sign of Christmas burnout nor lack of energy after the main event. It was nice to see some green country after the continual whiteness of the frozen north. With just one more gig to go we shall soon say goodbye to 2009 which has been a good year for Smokie even in the presence of economic downturn. The hearts of the people never fail to spread good cheer. Together the band and the audience make a perfect antidote to the worries of the world. If music be the food of love....... as William Shakespeare said play on. And so we shall 2009-12-29 04:07:39 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#54850 Sala Palatului has never rocked more than it did last night. It was a fully recorded show which is due for transmission on 27th December and it captured both band and audience on fine form. That was Smokies last show before the man in the red suit drops down our chimneys. I am hoping he doesnt eat ALL the mince pies this year otherwise I shall be forced to go out and buy chocolate. My final journey home is a difficult one with mass airport closures and huge delays. The final leg of the journey through The Highlands is the most testing part due to heavy snowfalls and icy roads. It will indeed be a relief to finally arrive and park the car for a while. Apart from that I am missing out on some serious snowman building which has possessed all humans in my area due to the fact that there is little else they can do at present. I think I can contribute something to the snowman community on my return as long as someone hasnt used up all the carrots and scarves. 2009-12-21 11:11:33 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#54815 It turns out that the charity for which we helped to raise money last night was an oncology department which is a very familiar appeal for us since it is the oncology section of BRI for which we make our appeal once a year at The Annette Fox Dinner. Cancer is so widespread that there are few families who dont have a cancer story to tell. And it was with some determination that the assembled audience launched themselves onto the dance floor and strutted their stuff in spite of formal evening wear and restrictive ball gowns. It was an unusual break in the otherwise Christmassy festivities yet a visit to Brnos city centre confirmed that the world outside was very much involved in celebrating the runup to the big day. Its interesting to note that while our leaders have been discussing global warming the weather has put on an ironic fall of snow across most of Europe causing widespread chaos. Perhaps we will have the white Christmas of which we were supposedly dreaming ... 2009-12-20 14:46:57 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#54770 It was only a travel day to Brno yesterday. No gig so a bit of free time. I thought that maybe a bit of carol singing wouldnt go amiss and might raise some extra money for the childrens appeal. But this part of Brno is all hotels and car dealers so that idea went out of the frozen window. Although it was chilly the snow wasnt exactly deep and crisp and even more thin and crusty and knobbly. But I did manage a silent night after an early dinner and a gaze at photos taken by The Hubble Space Telescope. Its not so much the star in the east as the crab nebula and spiral galaxies nowadays. I was woken to the herald angels who seem to be disagreeing over the subject of global emission cuts while in Copenhagen. Im sure that they came all ye faithful but are now losing some of their charm as they fight their own corners rather than finding a unified solution. Even others were away in a manger guarding their own territory in case some foreign power tells them what to do with their own CO2.But ... 2009-12-19 10:00:28 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#54708 Some of Pragues finest singers and dancers greeted us at The Congress Centre attached to The Holiday Inn. At least thats how it seemed because once they got started they were highly animated and enthusiastic about the show. Some timely snow blew from overhead machines as Smokie performed the two Christmas songs which have become part of our repertoire during festivities. Gifts were received and the flavour of Christmas continued to waft in our direction. Lets hope we dont peak too early and turn Christmas Day into an anticlimax 2009-12-18 08:23:51 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#54678 An amble around the streets of Prague turned into a historic tour as loyal Smokie fans pointed out all the places of interest. This was an opportunity to see parts of the city with which I would not be familiar if I were merely going from hotel to gig. There was a very Christmassy feel in the air as passersby sipped on the local warm wine and caught some of the first snowflakes. The traditional Christmas tree which has been photographed so many times and included in brochures for tourism looked stunning with a fabulous icycle effect amongst the lights. The evening ended in the restaurant known as Mount Steak www.mountsteak.cz which serves just about any meat on the planet including rattle snake. The walls have been heavily adorned with autographs from previous visitors and will now bear the photos and signatures of both myself and Terry Uttley. It was a perfect introduction to the food and drink extravaganza which is to come and I was lucky enough to be given some of the very tasty pas... 2009-12-17 14:52:55 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#54535 As the days roll past and Christmas approaches the partying has become more frenzied and intense as typified by the audience at The Heritage Hotel and Conference Centre in Portlaoise. The crowd moved in close to the band right from the start of the show creating a very intimate feel to the event. If we had asked them to do hand stands I believe they would have obliged such was the connection between band and audience. It was a special night and a longawaited return to Portlaoise after a 5year absence. Well Smokie cant be absolutely everywhere all the time but we can make a good attempt at it. Even the Russians amongst the audience were surprised when I told them that we would soon be in Siberia in a town close to theirs. Is there no corner of the earth where we dont go Not if we get the invitation. 2009-12-14 18:34:25 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#54447 There was no doubting whether the audience at Irelands National Entertainment Centre in Killarney could sing AND dance because they did both with extreme ease. This year there was more space on the dance floor which encouraged most people downstairs to join the party. They were rewarded with an energetic performance from the band as well as more polished versions of the two Christmas songs both of which seemed to please them very much. It is easy to entertain people when they are so keen to enjoy themselves and it is a great pleasure to do so. If you havent yet taken the opportunity to bid for my keyboard scarf which I wore on the Smokie blue hits album in 1989 there is still time if you catch the auction on Marikas website today. Proceeds go as usual to the childrens charity Sonnenhof in Berlin the same appeal for which the song Not far away was recorded. The auction ends on eBAY today so have a go and see if you can add this historic piece of knitwear to your wardrobe. Goo... 2009-12-13 01:07:31 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#54420 An Irish Christmas tour for Smokie has come to always include Castlebar where the audience give as good as they get. Tonight they were the first to hear two Christmas songs taken from the album Light a Candle namely O Holy Night and Winters Tale. These songs have been included to give the Christmas Party Nights a festive slant and they have been well received. Their inclusion has been an experiment in response to requests for Christmas songs from audiences in the past. Every audience is different and we will see whether the demand is the same in Killarney. One thing is for sure there is no way the current economic circumstances are going to stop the Irish from partying. 2009-12-12 11:21:24 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#54062 In Obertauern the people are gearing up for some big Christmas celebrations. After a brief lull when hoteliers take a muchneeded break comes the fullon festive season when the streets bars and ski slopes will be full to bursting. Last night gave us a taster of the atmosphere which will permeate this picturesque village. It makes even the most reluctant winter sports agnostic want to take up skiing. While the audience were wrapped up against the freezing conditions there was a different look on stage where even the gas heaters failed to raise the temperature enough. But warmth comes in different ways and I had to rely on the smiles of the crowd to keep me from turning into a keyboardplaying icycle. Outdoor gigs continue even in extreme conditions for it is part of the deal. And there is no better deal than playing Smokie music to an appreciative crowd which is exactly what we had last night. 2009-12-7 11:38:23 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#53902 Well the Christmas tree is up at home now so I thought it was the right time to put one on my homepage just to get you in the mood. I doubt that I will see much of my tree at home since I am due to travel a lot in December. It will feel like moments until it is time to take it down again but thats normal for this pace of life. Nothing lasts so lets just make the most of it. Who drunk all of my port Oh thats right it was me. 2009-12-3 20:33:32 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#53585 It is most unusual in Norway to find a place where houses are very close together. This is a land of space and lots of it. But Brunstad Conference Centre in Melsomvik is a bit different for it is mostly composed of tightlypacked onebedroom apartments just waiting to be filled during peak season and during conferences. It is a holiday park without the holidaymakers so it is empty at this time of year. But the 6000 seater auditorium was the venue for last nights show for Smokie. The celebratory spirit was running free and an ecstatic audience joined us all the way through the gig even in the quieter moments. Norway has been a very good territory for us throughout our career. The Norwegians are easy to entertain and are very enthusiastic about live music. Now we will shortly fly away from here before the first snow of the winter hits but probably only to find that it has snowed at home anyway. Its getting close to Christmas 2009-11-28 23:58:03 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#53084 There can be nothing more gratifying for a band than an enthusiastic audience. On a night when XFactor usually dominates the leisure time of the majority of inhabitants of the UK and so soon after the massive Children in Need appeal several hundred very keen partygoers braved the apocalyptic conditions to make it to The Futurist Theatre and enjoy a night of Smokie. Entertainment is a big part of seaside fun as we know but this crowd did not come in with sand on their shoes nor did they look windswept after a beach stroll. The night was entirely devoted to the enjoyment of songs both familiar and not so familiar with an inspiring performance by John Parr as a bonus. The lights twinkled along the marina and another night of pure fun was celebrated by all. 2009-11-22 13:31:26 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#52133 A few days ago I couldnt even spell Nyzhnyy Novgorod and now I have been there. If it sounds like a fantasy place from an enchanting novel then there is justification. The whole journey to Nyzhnyy felt like jumping through hoops in order to achieve the ultimate prize at the end of the adventure. In Russia nothing happens quickly. The trains run at a very leisurely pace as do the planes. The speed of life is less hectic for the main part except in Moscow traffic. Maybe the West would do well to adopt some of this philosophy in order to escape some of the stress that pervades everyday living. That is on the assumption that this pace is about choice rather than lack of an alternative.But I am here to entertain and while here am not subject to stress or anxiety. I really can observe the world going round and enjoy the ride. Like the audience at Nizhegorodskyy Circus I am on a journey of discovery. Their discovery was about letting go with a western band and mine was about immersing myself ... 2009-11-7 18:00:36 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#51730 The Classic Rock Nights are a formula which is working very well in Germany because classic songs never lose their appeal. In a rapidly changing world people need to know that there is still something constant to connect them with their memories and music is one important link. And it is evident that an audience can feel exhausted after being presented with a whole evening of hit melodies. Its rather like having too much fun laughing until you cry or eating too much chocolate cake. At Alsfeld Hessenhalle there was an excitable crowd with an appetite for everything that came their way. The show could have continued and those same people would still have been there. But the witching hour arrived and it was wisest to hit the road before the sky became too full of supercharged broomsticks on this Halloween night. Magic was in the air thats for sure. 2009-11-1 12:23:19 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#51375 The final night of the holiday weekend found people on very good form. And Smokies return to Enniscorthy was long awaited. My records tell me it is six years since we last played at The Riverside Park Hotel. There were some colourful outfits on show amongst the audience complete with flashing lights. I wondered if Christmas had come early. Perhaps the afternoon soundcheck with seasonal songs had got people in the mood. There is definitely something in the air and its great to be part of it. We leave Ireland for a few weeks and return to Europe Scandinavia and Russia to name just a few. 2009-10-26 13:52:56 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#51310 Everywhere I look I see adverts for Christmas including the very full programme of events which each hotel displays in the weeks leading up to the main event. And it really isnt a long way off now well two months from today. In Smokie terms thats a very short time. You might think people would be saving their money yet the evidence suggests that escapism into entertainment and particularly nostalgia is still ruling their decisionmaking. Judging by the size of the crowd and the intensity of their reaction they were not prepared to wait until Christmas to let their hair down. But we are in Ireland the home of spontaneous parties and unconditional celebration. And there are only two good reasons for starting a party because its raining and because its NOT raining. Who can argue with that 2009-10-25 01:07:59 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#51280 Its a long way to Tipperary well it certainly was yesterday as holiday traffic clogged every road in Ireland. But our rewards for patience were waiting in the form of a packed venue at Clonmels Park Hotel standing room only. The audience were pumped up before the start of the show so it was no challenge to lift their spirits a little further. If they overdid it on the celebrations at least there is an extra hour in bed tonight to restore normality. I do sometimes wonder what that would be like 2009-10-24 11:50:25 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#50906 I know that you are keen to know the venues for the November tour of these countries but there are no details as yet. When they do emerge I shall post them on my date sheet. Usually I only get this information a few days before leaving the country. Keep watching for further updates. 2009-10-19 08:44:50 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#50843 I was greatly honoured this week to be asked to judge the annual Songfest Competition at my sons school near Edinburgh. The pool of talent was mighty impressive and every single member of the school was involved in the event. Many very innovative ways of getting 80 people onto a stage were utilised some of them very humorous and the range of material was huge with such diversified choices as modified hymns show songs and beat music. Words cannot adequately describe the atmosphere prevalent on the night of the competition. I was impressed by the enthusiasm and energy which went into this very special event and am so happy I was able to be present to witness the event of the year. 2009-10-17 23:17:39 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#50063 Not far from the River Tay The Whitehall Theatre stands in an area just outside the city centre. This was a repeat gig for Smokie having played there in December last year. This time there was a slight difference for we enlisted the aid of an unknown support band from Musselburgh who went by the name of No Idea at least for last night. One member of that band happened to be Luke Bullard whose voice on the charity song Not Far Away was heard some years ago. Now he is sixteen very tall and plays the guitar like a wellseasoned pro and also sings very well. Along with Henry Fisher guitarbassvocals and Johnnie Perriam drums he performed a variety of songs by artists including John Mayer and Jason Mraz which delighted the crowd. It was a proud moment for me as I was hearing him perform in a band for the first time. If this is the start of a musical career I think these three guys will go all the way. With the audience in a very good mood Smokie turned the wow factor up to 11 to please our lo... 2009-10-5 20:08:25 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#49963 The people of Wick are known as Wickers and they know how to party. Of course Wick is a remote part of Scotland so its no surprise that there were many visitors to the area at the time of Smokies gig Australians amongst them. The Waterfront is mostly home to tribute bands so there was a special welcome for the real Smokie. The audience and band made a strong impression on each other and the show went down like the first sip of water after being stranded in the desert. I would hasten to add that the partying continued well into the night and there will be many wellearned hangovers this morning. However we still have a long way to go to reach Dundee and someone must stay sober to do the driving. I might chance a couple of relaxers when I finally hit home at stupid oclock tomorrow morning. What an actioncharged weekend it has been so far and theres yet more to come. Now I know why its so much easier to take two planes to work than it is to work in Scotland. 2009-10-4 10:47:53 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#49504 I love a gig thats close to an airport. Well last nights show was actually in the grounds of Munich Airport at Edeka Messe. It was a massive corporate event which followed an even bigger Oktoberfest celebration in the city of Munich. The September sun shone and spread a joie de vivre over one and all. Its easy enough to be happy playing Smokie music and even better when the audience arrive in ecstatic mood. Now I think I had better go home and sweep up those Autumn leaves before the technicians arrive on their way to a groundbreaking gig in Wick North of Scotland. This means a night in my own bed 2009-9-27 08:06:30 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#49197 What am I I am an informative and sometimes amusing source of news as seen through the eyes of one member of Smokie. I offer you poetry prose history photos music downloads and YouTube videos. I am of course this website and I am two years old today. Thanks for visiting me. 2009-9-21 22:04:54 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#49067 Last nights show delivered everything it promised for it was packed and hot. With little room to move the audience had to move together which they did with style. It followed a brief rehearsal of Christmas songs in readiness for one of the December shows. Before we know it the man in the red suit will be here 2009-9-20 00:12:56 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#48992 I believe I have seen more of Norway than most Norwegians in the past 21 years due to extensive touring with Smokie yet Forde is one place I am seeing for the first time. Nestled in the mountains on the Western side of this beautiful country it is home to only 1000 people. The function room at The Rica Hotel is our venue for two nights the first of which was nicely crowded hot and intimate. It set the mood for tomorrow nights sellout show and begs the question how will they squeeze more people into that room Its a pleasure to be back after a break especially since the reaction was so welcoming. Only another 22 hours and we can do it all again. I hope my clothes are dry 2009-9-19 00:37:08 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#48743 I have recently discovered amongst buried loft treasure a yellowing copy of songs I wrote whilst at Exeter University. These humorous works are worthy of another look and for that reason I have taken the opportunity to get to finally know the beast Roland Fantom G8 whilst committing these songs to some so far rough recordings. This means I also have to sing the songs as I did 32 years ago. I wasnt sure if there was still a voice inside me but the early results are passable. Because the material is so dated it has a naive charm about it and thats what is inspiring me to carry on and record songs which are ancient to me yet very new to others. If all goes well I shall eventually upload the mastered results to Amazon and iTunes and then the cat will really be out of the bag. Just dont expect a Smokie voice 2009-9-15 08:13:16 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#47455 The sky lit up as Smokie hit the stage at The Gozo Festival. This sounds dramatic but it was absolutely commonplace because fireworks explode all day and for most of the night on this island. The crowd of 6000 were squeezed into a small area yet there didnt appear to be any pushing. In fact the whole festival took place with good humour and that typical Maltese attitude that nothing is urgent. Perhaps we could all benefit from slowing down a little and respecting time rather than abusing it. And on that note Smokie take a break for a few weeks and disperse to different parts of the globe for a wellearned rest. 2009-8-24 16:34:22 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#47024 I have posted a message from Terry to The Class of 79 on YouTube. It may be found under Terry Uttleys message to the Class of 79. Happy viewing 2009-8-17 09:25:00 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#46984 Why do only one gig when you can squeeze two into one day We strolled into Brande in the afternoon and meandered into Randers for the evening show. No sweat no pressure. It was a hallo as well as a goodbye to our Danish friends for this year. Both shows found the audience on fine form. 2009-8-16 08:20:18 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#46789 There is a personal message on YouTube for Henning and the Class of 79 who are celebrating their 30year reunion. I thank all of those people for being loyal Smokie fans. 2009-8-11 23:03:48 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#46598 Schools out for summer but only just as the kids will be returning next week in Norway. The end of holiday parties are on and Smokie have been in Etne no theres no volcano here. Angry skies will no doubt return to cloudless ones once that school bell rings. It happens every year as reliable as wasps round an open can of Coke. You can also count on the band to serve up an inspiring 90 minutes of entertainment wherever we find ourselves in the world. The audience soon got in the mood to enjoy a highly polished performance. This was our farewell gig for the end of Norways summer season. All good things come to an end yet for us that usually marks the start of something equally good. 2009-8-9 00:07:22 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#46187 I have had enquiries about how to purchase tickets for the Smokie show at Wick Waterfront on 3rd October and am able to confirm that tickets are now available on both www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.ticketweb.co.uk. Will we see any Norwegians Danes Icelanders and Faroese there seeing at it is in your neighbourhood 2009-8-3 12:09:49 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#46122 Under a canvas roof at the Platzalmarkt the temperature reached 50 degrees hot enough to melt the zinc off a cricketers nose. The square was packed to bursting making conditions perfect for a happy festival night. August in the Alpine district is hot and steamy but the flies are more reminiscent of Melbourne. I forgot my corked hat 2009-8-2 16:17:46 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#45210 The contrast between our last show at The JFK Dunbrody Festival at New Ross in 2005 and this one could not have been greater. Teeming rain and a low turnout was the outcome four years ago whereas this year the conditions were perfect and there was a record crowd of 16000. The whole event was an enormous success and the atmosphere matched any of the bigger summer festivals which we routinely play around Europe and Scandinavia. There was a great deal of excitement amongst the organisers as they realised how popular this event had become. It was a great relief to find an Ireland basking in summer sun and ready to party rather than sheltering shivering and trying to keep the spirits up. What a joy and what a great year Smokie are having in Ireland. 2009-7-20 08:29:14 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#45196 As storms raged across Europe the weather in Zurich was apocalyptic causing the cancellation of the first day at Weingarten Ravensburg. Even on Saturday morning the whole festival was called into question. However after a few shafts of sunlight and a much improved forecast the show was back on again. The audience were in joyful mood after such a period of doubt and suspense and they showed their appreciation with added enthusiasm. It was the last show in Germany until September so there was a sense of finality to our summer celebrations. 2009-7-19 14:16:57 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#44638 Its not normal for me to be at home on my birthday and this year was no exception for I was on my way home from holiday in Tunisia on 8th July. Ive not usually managed to take holidays so I had to get used to that feeling that there was actually no work for me to do. Having adjusted to that I soon got into the watersports archery and parasailing. Now Im hooked and am looking forward to doing it again. To be with my family at this time of year is a rare privilege and I think we all benefitted equally from the chance to hang out together rather than communicate by phone. I used to think that holidays were bad for my health now I think just the opposite 2009-7-9 22:31:49 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#44037 Flying in small aircraft has never revealed more beautiful scenes than yesterdays view of the glacier on the approach to Mo I Rana. My experience of summer flights in light airplanes over Norwegian mountain ranges has always been good but this was exceptional. It set the scene perfectly for the gig in Hemnes where more mountains created the backdrop for the Boat and Fjord Festival. This years attendance broke the previous record and the hot weather conditions made the experience even more enjoyable. We met them at midnight as promised but in perfect daylight conditions. Now we bid farewell to summer festivals for a short break. I shall be on the African coast next week taking a much needed holiday with my family. Its a rare treat and should help to recharge my energy reserves before resuming touring. 2009-6-28 18:36:47 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#43938 The midnight sun never looked brighter than it does now and I have seen it twice since my arrival yesterday in Skjervoy Northern Norway. My journey took 14 hours and involved 4 flights and a bus drive. Now I am far inside the Arctic Circle where cold winds blow even in midsummer. My hosts took me on a fishing trip along with some of my Smokie colleagues. The scenery was aweinspiring and I was lucky enough to see a pair of sea eagles whilst searching for a good place to fish. The gig was in a marine factory overlooking the harbour. A full crowd occupied the area normally filled with workers and machinery. They joined the party from the first song to the last. I shall take away happy memories of Skjervoy. 2009-6-26 23:22:13 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#43701 Tickets go on sale next week for Smokies show at Wick Waterfront in Caithness Scotland. This is unusually far north for the boys from Yorkshire and demand is likely to be high. The venues website address is www.wickwaterfront.com and tickets will be on sale at the venue and through www.ticketmaster.co.uk. More details about this show as we get nearer to the date. Maybe our friends from Norway would like to cross the water for a preview before we start our October Norwegian tour and possible recording of the new album in Oslo. 2009-6-22 13:52:09 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#43628 It was the eve of the longest day of the year and Lillestrom was celebrating in the street with its Byfesten. The centre of town was the scene of massive celebration. It was more than a full house for it was a full town. And the town square was packed to bursting including the balconies of overlooking office buildings. After the show the band and crowd mingled freely. There was no other way since security would have been hard to arrange in such an open space. Now very many people will have personal photos with the band for their private collections. There can be no better way for a band and crowd to get together and feel close. It was a very special night which will stay with me for a long time to come. The Norwegian Tour continues on Friday in Skjervoy. 2009-6-21 06:58:09 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#43605 A long and protracted journey led us finally to the Dronningfjordfestivalen in Husnes. Typically for this part of Western Norway there were two ferry rides as well as a lengthy bus trip. The festival was on its penultimate evening and the audience were in good spirit. Conditions were very soggy underfoot yet this did nothing to dampen enthusiasm. 2009-6-20 16:48:11 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#43345 As I consult my calendar I notice that our last appearance in Flekkefjord was on 26th July 2002 and yet it feels as if we were only there last year. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and the audience proved that to us at our late night gig in Norway as the sun disappeared briefly. A short time was spent at the hotel before hitting the road again for the redeye flight from Stavanger to Frankfurt and onwards to Leipzig.A onehour turnaround in Frankfurt and a small plane did nothing to help our situation and all luggage went missing clothes and gear alike. The consignment then reappeared at two separate airports Dresden and Leipzig before turning up at the venue 20 minutes before stage time. And what a venue This was the Einsiedler brewery which was launching a new beer ably promoted with the help of Smokies faces. The auditorium area was packed and the atmosphere in a hot and steamy Chemnitz was highly charged. The show was finished by 6.30 p.m. giving the band a chance to make up fo... 2009-6-15 21:51:49 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#43041 It seemed too good a chance to miss so I got out the Lumix and snapped some more video something which a few of you have been requesting for a while. 2009-6-9 19:53:43 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#42902 I have great respect for an audience who can ignore the heavy rain showers and stay in their place until late into the night to watch a band play. Such an audience were present at the open air show in RainauBuch last night. For Smokie it was the completion of four shows in three days with a huge amount of travel inbetween and for the crowd it was the last band of the night for whom they had been waiting. The large percentage of young people amongst the punters was an indication that there is yet again a new generation of Smokie fans. Like the inside of an onion our career has many layers which keep revealing themselves. This is one big onion 2009-6-7 07:23:50 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#42878 From 37000 feet the height at which our Cessna Citation 3 flew the world took on a great deal of clarity. What started out as a major challenge became a reasonably straightforward undertaking if all went well. And there were no complications or delays as we flew into Memingin Bavarias fastest growing small airport. They call it Munich West after a group of Dubliners flew on Ryanair and found the nearest pub believing they were actually in Munich. Our gig was in Bad Worishofen where we opened the show at the very agreeable hour of 6 oclock. This was a precondition since it was important that we had the Cessna ready for another 8 oclock takeoff. It was good to see a crowd who were fresh and full of energy. We took the afterglow of a very successful gig with us all the way to the airport.Landing early at Karup in Denmark we were on time for the second show of the evening in Silkeborg. The crowd at Indelukket were restless but happy to see us. The tension broke when the band struck up wit... 2009-6-6 19:08:33 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#42772 So who stopped the rain in Nakskov Well for once it was Smokie. This helps to break the old spell under which so many summer festivals experienced the watery stuff when we were on stage. Droughtridden continents were always deluged after we had landed. The farmers were delighted. Last night we made people happy for a different reason. Its time to relinquish our crowns as great rainmakers and stick to the one thing we do best which is to put smiles on faces. And that never fails to happen in Denmark where we are treated as locals. 2009-6-5 00:51:15 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#42534 ....as I was walking over the Cork and Kerry mountains...I came upon the INEC in Killarney and stayed there long enough to do a Smokie gig. This is Whiskey in the jar country so naturally the audience went crazy once they heard the initial strains. Irelands National Exhibition Centre is becoming a bit of a Smokie magnet with four appearances in the space of twelve months. And the heat was on for this bank holiday weekend as Ireland sat in a ridge of high pressure which no doubt left a lot of fairskinned people red as lobsters. Not to worry for that cool air from the north will soon return to take the sting out of the sunburn. 2009-6-1 08:37:38 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#42490 Like chalk and cheese the difference between the gigs in Passau and Athlone was almost tangible. The Dreilanderhalle show was broadcast in its entirety by Bayerischer Rundfunk 1 and performed to a capacity crowd. At Athlone the show was a little more intimate ending with a completely unexpected and unprecedented photo session with fans before the band had left the stage. There are still some things which are capable of surprising me even after so long in this business. 2009-5-31 11:10:35 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#42217 The German Tour continued with two very hot gigs in Balingen and Nierstein punctuated by the ZDF Mainz TV Show Fernsehgarten which Smokie hadnt played for many years. The atmosphere in all of these was overwhelmingly friendly and hospitable. It was touring at its very best. A short threeday break should give me a chance to catch up with urgent matters at home before resuming life in the fast lane. 2009-5-25 12:12:02 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#42172 It felt like the end of the beginning at the Sportovni Halle in Ceske Budejovice. There is no doubt that Smokie have started a new and exciting relationship with the Czech Republic. We parted as great friends after the show leaving our promoter Peter happy but exhausted. There was something very special happening on this tour which has laid the foundations for the future. Long may it continue 2009-5-24 13:54:33 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#42075 The show at Brnos Boby Centrum was characterised by informality and good humour. If there is an Xfactor then this performance had it. There was extensive filming by MTV after their interview with the band in the runup to the show. With only one more concert in the Czech Republic it feels like this part of the world tour has flown by too fast. But the future may well be bright for Smokie in this part of the world. 2009-5-22 08:01:33 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#41999 Another night another Zimni Stadion this time in Usti nad Labem. The show lasted 12 seconds longer thanks to a prolonged echo. And the crowd looked ready for more even as the last note died away. We have definitely not outstayed our welcome in this country which is so hungry for Smokie music. And since we dont pass this way so often maybe we should arrange to come back again soon. I think the audience might agree. 2009-5-21 07:09:00 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#41927 I always thought ice stadia plural of stadium were cold places. This was not the case on the opening night as the sweat poured off the faces of band and audience alike at Zimni Stadion Mlada Boleslav. This is our first fullscale Czech tour for many years and the early signs are that it will be a good one. The band and crew spent a few happy hours on the pool tables and in the bowling alley in a bid to use up all that suplus adrenalin after such an energising gig. You see its not all hard work on tourIt was a similar story at the CEZ Arena in Pardubice where a huge crowd greeted the band. Nostalgia is very much on our side as is evident from the show of Smokie memorabilia amongst the audience. Sometimes it feels like the fans know more about us than we know ourselves. Whilst in the area we stayed at Hotel Bohdanec a health spa which treats maladies of the joints and muscles. Massages are available as well as peat baths swimming in mineralenriched water and sessions in the salt room. Thi... 2009-5-20 13:26:35 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#41422 It all looked very familiar and so it should since we were at Hamms Zentralhallen in January last year. The response from the audience was every bit as warm as on the previous occasion. The main differences are that the country looks a lot greener and the suns rays are much stronger. And that water is so welcome onstage when dehydration threatens to kick in. 2009-5-11 14:49:43 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#41319 Wurzburg Posthalle was a fine place to make a delivery. Our own package consisted of 70 minutes of nonstop hits brought to a conclusion our guaranteed delivery just in time for the midnight curfew. The sound was a little bit return to sender but the audience were happy as they stamped their feet. The show ticked all boxes for entertainment value. Thats it Ive run out of suitable puns so you will have to add some of your own if you so wish. 2009-5-9 18:05:27 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#41013 There was little evidence that the audience had used up their energy on May Day celebrations. Instead they were on fine vocal form at the late concert at Nordseehallen Emden. Fine weather breeds fine spirits and this was apparent from the smiles we received. The tour resumes next Friday. 2009-5-4 17:25:25 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#40861 Last night began a series of concerts in Germany which span several months. The late night audience at Schmallenbergs Stadthalle were on fine form on the eve of a German public holiday. They stayed with us right until the end after what must have been a tiring evening of entertainment. Today is a restful day in this peaceful area. Its maybe the quiet before the storm. 2009-5-1 10:13:30 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#40679 Mosa Trajectum has changed a little since our last visit in October 2004. The new commercial centre with its ornamental streams and pools became the venue for Smokies show which was timed to start as the golf competition ended. This is Steves home territory so golf is an important part of life. The course is said to be the hardest in Spain as Terry discovered on Sunday. The audience on the other hand were one of the easiest comprising mostly Irish. This was one of those rare occasions when band and audience alike did not have to rush home since our houses were only yards away from the venue. So a good night was continued in Billys Bar where the drink and conversation continued well into the early morning with not a thought about the events of today. With no pressure and no competitions it might be a good opportunity for me to swing a club myself. 2009-4-28 11:23:46 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#40430 Last night marked Smokies return to the Cinderella a ship which travels overnight from Stockholm in Sweden to Mariehamn in Finland and returns the next day. The packed audience filled every square inch of space a turnout which exceeded that which we witnessed on our first appearance in October 2007. A smooth crossing was perfectly paired with a rapturous crowd making the whole event a pleasure beyond measure. Now where was that cask of rum 2009-4-24 10:37:24 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#40251 It has been great to finally have some time to myself and even after 21 years of being in the band to be able to attend a family birthday celebration over Easter. I also took time out to stay at a spiritual retreat last weekend where raw organic food meditation and healing were on the menu. Now I am ready for the return to full touring. I should also mention that I invested in a new multifunctional keyboard just after the break from touring. The Roland Fantom G8 is now the only tool I need for composition recording and mastering. Now I just need some time to get to know the beast. 2009-4-21 17:44:37 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#39112 Hospitality runs in the blood of the Austrians. They are only satisfied when they are certain that you have been thoroughly entertained. As a high pressure system settled over Zell am See the mercury hit 18 degrees and even at 2500 metres it was sunbathing weather. I was completely absorbed as I rode pillion on a speeding snowmobile then tried driving the snow plough just for entertainment and the making of a good video shoot. I was amazed to find a jacuzzi a sauna and igloo accomodation at this altitude where nothing seemed to lack. For some people the mountain is home and contains everything they need to sustain life. I could have stayed here all day except that I needed to return to ground level for a soundcheck and a return gig at Talstation Areit. This year the area was packed with revellers who had followed a perfect day with a happy night of entertainment. It was a dream come true. Nothing could improve on this perfect day and there is nothing more I can say that will further em... 2009-4-2 12:54:24 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#38878 Last night Smokie did something which is most unusual for which there was a very good reason. Because the President needed a 10minute slot to vacate the stadium before the crowd thronged its exits we were asked at very short notice to lengthen our performance. Normally this would not happen but we do make an exception for a President. The two songs which we added Stand by me and Whiskey in the jar were so well received that we are considering adding them to other shows occasionally. We have been very well cared for at Siabry translated means friends and there is talk of an autumn return with an orchestra. 2009-3-29 07:56:51 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#38642 If you are having difficulty finding the downloads on the internet here are your links httpwww.amazon.co.ukMP3MusicDownloadbieUTF8ampnode77197031 httpwww.apple.comuksearchipoditunesqmartinbullard Happy listening 2009-3-24 12:57:02 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#38599 I discovered parts of Cork I have never seen before mostly in an attempt to find a new and interesting route to The Opera House where last nights gig was held. The streets were teeming with people the restaurants were fully booked and there was an atmosphere of post celebration. I have to say that the Irish recover from a hangover very quickly as was evident from our audience. Cork was a great place to end this tour which has seen record audiences attending during this recessionary period. Whatever happens you cannot dampen the enthusiasm of the Irish for entertainment whether it be rugby boxing or a good old Smokie gig. 2009-3-23 13:04:58 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#38532 The Equinox was marked by sunny skies a Grand Slam win in the 6 Nations Rugby for Ireland and a storming gig by Smokie at The Black Box. It was a thoroughly successful day in so many ways in spite of a doubtful start. My own travel plans went sadly wrong when a technical fault on a FlyBe Embraer meant my connection from Manchester was impossible. A very long trip around England made it possible again otherwise I would not be writing these words. It has been a remarkable Irish Tour so far and with only one show to go it will undoubtedly remain in memory for a long time to come. 2009-3-22 08:05:06 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#38279 You might have expected the audience at The Mount Errigal in Letterkenny to save themselves for Paddys Night which is today. Not so as this crowd were really going for it as were the band. Conditions were nearly tropical on stage but the sweat just adds to the impression of effort. Now we travel home briefly leaving Ireland to enjoy their processions street parties and general celebrations returning again on Saturday to perform the last two concerts on this Irish Tour. 2009-3-17 00:31:58 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#38236 Our largest audience to date was in attendance at Belfasts Waterfront. The craic was mighty and it was a night to remember being one of the best shows of 2009 so far. It is our only show in the North and today we move on to Letterkenny which although geographically north of Belfast is actually in the south well its in the republic. Regardless of global position within this island we receive an equally warm welcome. 2009-3-16 09:57:25 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#38198 Repeated visits to The TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar cannot dampen the audiences enthusiasm for the music. There were many young people attending the show and a few who admitted that this was their first Smokie concert. I think we might be seeing all of them again before too long. 2009-3-15 08:49:38 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#38152 Bums on seats thats what its all about in this industry. And last night we saw a record number of them for The South Courts International Conference Centre. While Red Nose Day broke previous records in donations the band enjoyed a huge boost in numbers made all the more extraordinary by the fact that we are all experiencing tight credit conditions. Maybe we are all just getting together so we may forget about the real world. Whatever the explanation I like it very much. 2009-3-14 08:35:34 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#37869 It was hard to imagine improving on past performances at The Olympia but thats exactly what happened here in Dublins fair city. The show had an extra bit of magic sensed by both band and audience. I realise that I often say this sort of thing in my blogs now but it is absolutely true. The band I joined slightly over 21 years ago has emerged with a stronger show and a finely honed performance. Even our manager a hard man to impress is aware of it as well as a few diehard promoters who have seen it all in the past and wouldnt comment unless they had been particularly moved by the experience. It is proof that playing a lot of the same songs over and over again doesnt have to wear down the performer. It is after all shared energy on the night which makes each show different from previous ones. We take a short break from touring and return to Ireland on Friday. 2009-3-9 08:06:17 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#37823 Wexford Opera House had never had a band playing before last night and neither had it previously sold every seat in the house. That all changed when Smokie came to town. Last nights concert came immediately off the back of the Annette Fox Charity Dinner in Bradford which is a notoriously late and boozy occasion due to its mainly fundraising nature. That makes it all the more impressive that our first time at this venue was such a runaway success. It was made even sweeter for me since it was my 21st anniversary with Smokie a journey which began in Kilburn on 7th March 1988. The band has gone from strength to strength and there is a notable freshness and vitality to our performance which we can feel and the audience can sense. Its become a very exciting experience to be part of an act which is constantly evolving. And my own journey has been remarkable thanks in no small part to the Irish. Tonight we return to Dublin where we have become accustomed to a very lively and welcoming audience... 2009-3-8 14:50:10 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#37354 The walls of the Tel Aviv Indoor Arena fairly rattled to the sound of an inspired audience comprising mainly Russian citizens. It is no wonder they were crazy for What can I do and Ill meet you at midnight. Smokies first appearance in Israel for nearly five years confirmed our popularity here. Its a great pleasure to be back. With no sign of jet lag after the recent return from Australia the band were on top form. Today we return to The Congress Centre in Haifa. 2009-2-27 05:41:25 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#37317 All 54 tunes from 4 albums are now live on Amazon MP3 price US0.89 or 0.69 British Pounds per track. So if you missed any tracks or would prefer to download rather than buy whole albums now is the time to do it. A lot of people have asked about the Smokie incidental music Blue Intro and Blue Outro and how to obtain a copy. Just check out all the tracks on Amazon MP3. These same tracks will also appear on iTunes Europe from the second week in March. Happy listening 2009-2-26 09:50:10 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#37100 Our farewell concert at Ipswich Civic Hall confirmed the overall positive impression of the tour. There has been a consistently great atmosphere and a firm conviction that the next visit to Oz will not be too far in the future. Now we return to The Northern Hemisphere for some engagements a bit closer to home. 2009-2-23 00:40:49 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#37035 After 18 years it can be hard to recall much about a place you visited once. The audience at Seagulls one of Australias top venues had no trouble remembering Smokie and our last visit. And this time some of them brought their sons and daughters. They describe us as rock legends and most have stories about what they were doing when Smokie first burst onto the music scene in the 70s. After the show they just dont want to go home there are so many nostalgic memories to share. Playing to the Ozzies has been a great pleasure and one we are likely to repeat before too long. The tour ends today and some of the band will go directly from stage to the airport to start their long journey home. 2009-2-22 00:23:07 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#36989 At the heart of the Aussie RSLs are the people who call a spade a spade. And if they take the trouble to stay behind after the show to tell us how good we were you can bet they really mean it. Amongst the folks who waited to see the band after this sellout show was a family comprising of three generations the fourth was being babysat at home. This appearance at Kedron Wavell topped our last visit in October 2006 and laid the foundations for a lasting relationship with Brisbane and its people. Today we cross a time zone to once again thrill the audience at Seagulls in Tweed Heads. This is our first appearance there since 1991. Glad somebody reminded us about the time difference otherwise we would have missed the soundcheck 2009-2-21 00:22:05 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#36943 Caloundra RSL rewarded us with a full house and a lively crowd. Not even the humid intense heat of the day could dampen their reactions on this hot and sweaty night. The best reaction ever at an RSL I certainly thought so. 2009-2-20 00:35:50 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#36718 The afternoon show at Wenties proved that there is no time of the day when a bit of rock and roll doesnt go down well. A vigorous show was followed by a long chat with members of the audience. That show concluded our spell in Sydney and we now find ourselves in hot and sticky Brisbane on Queenslands Gold Coast with a few days to acclimatise before resuming on Thursday. 2009-2-16 05:48:41 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#36661 The love potion must have worked because the audience came out in good numbers at Wyong Rugby League Club and they were in a partying mood. This time there was plenty of room to dance. 2009-2-15 00:23:49 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#36614 The assembled crowd at North Sydney Leagues in Cammeray looked surprised and delighted at last nights show. With tables pushed right to the front of the stage it was difficult for them to do the dancing bit but they found a way and the show reached its usual peak. Today we must drive a little further for the ultimate in love performances the Valentines Day celebration. There should be quite a few coming tonight 2009-2-14 00:28:39 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#36559 Sydney has so far managed to show us dark clouds and enough rain to put an end to Victorias misery except we are in New South Wales. I am placed alongside a pleasant but soaked golf course which could have been the site for an entertaining day prior to tonights first show in the Sydney area. The baking heat of Perth is a long way behind. So its technology to the rescue and a chance to catch up on some movies. I might need to search the hard drive for a romantic one tomorrow as it will be Valentines Day. 2009-2-12 23:12:40 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#36315 The demand for tickets at The Regal Theatre was such that many people were unable to gain access . This is not normal for a Sunday night but it might be explained by the fact that Smokie dont pass this way too often. Vigorous singing on the part of the audience left a few a little hoarse though with enough voice to tell us that it was the best show they had ever seen. These people are so generous with their compliments that it leaves a permanent smile on my face. Im amazed at the lengths to which some people go in order to see the band. One audience member last night for example walked away from a car accident and came straight to the show instead of going to hospital. She explained that she could get a medical check later but she couldnt miss the band. Thats dedication We now take a break and enjoy some free time in an increasingly hot Perth where temperatures are expected to be in the mid 30s. Meanwhile back at home the snow is piled high and expected to last some time 2009-2-9 01:03:09 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#36269 Many people tell stories about their first memories of Smokies music and their resultant associations with our songs over the years. Important events are tagged alongside certain songs which played at the time. These are the memories which dont fade even in old age when it might be difficult to remember what you had for lunch yet easy to remember the words of a song which made an impression on you. After the very lively show at Mandurahs Performing Arts Centre many such stories emerged from a variety of people all of whom had kept playing Smokies music even during the years when the band didnt tour Australia. Our 15year absence from this country has made people even more hungry for the live performance determined to see us more than once while we are here and adamant that we should come back as soon as possible. 2009-2-8 00:14:44 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#36221 The opening show of Smokies Australian Tour at Bunbury Entertainment Centre was an unmitigated success. This was the same venue at which the 2006 tour began. A large meetandgreet after the show put us in touch with some very devoted Smokie fans and the compliments ran thick and fast. It was a great start to our Oz Tour and has set the mood for a very relaxed series of concerts. 2009-2-7 00:10:11 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#36085 The band escaped the wintry conditions in the UK and made it to Perth in the early evening of Wednesday 4th February. We have a whole day to recover before starting the tour in Bunbury tomorrow. This time we are in a hotel right in the city centre so there is not so far to walk before finding a few places to eat shop and get on the internet. 2009-2-5 00:22:39 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#35844 I receive a lot of questions from various people wishing to know details of future gigs. I can only repeat what I say to all those who ask which is that I get the information about venues and hotels about 2 days before I leave the country. This has never changed and probably never will. All the information I have right or wrong is posted on this website at the earliest possible convenient time and only when I have internet access. I cannot be an information service for everyone otherwise I would have no time to play the keyboards. My apologies to those who have badgered me for information but I hope you understand that I am a band member and not a manager. 2009-2-1 10:08:22 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#35767 The process of getting all music onto Amazon and iTunes takes a little while. Tracks dont go live immediately so there is a projected interval until around 10th March before you will be able to find any tracks. Meanwhile they are suspended in cyberspace with nowhere to go its a bit like waiting for a delayed flight 2009-1-30 13:33:01 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#35628 Go on who was it out there that made time go faster so that my winter break is nearly over In just over a weeks time I shall be trawling the streets of Perth for internet cafes so I may keep you all in touch with what is happening down under. Theres no wireless internet in the hotels so cafes are the only option. But dont worry there will be a blog for each day that I make it into the big city and no doubt more of my impressions of the surroundings so that the other part of the world can get a taste of what its like in Oz. Sorry there was no video but I really have been looking very ill with the flu. First time in many years so I guess it was my turn. Keep an eye out for the iTunes and Amazon MP3 downloads and get yourselves copies of individual tracks for barely the price of a newspaper. Thought Id better join the 21st Century and make my music mobile and PDAfriendly. Now you can wake up to any style of music you choose 2009-1-27 16:33:07 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#35067 Well Ive unofficially gone underground. Those of you who know me realise that I rarely take any form of break so no holidays. Its a busy period from Smokies financial point of view and that is my responsibility. On a lighter note I am feverishly programming the new Roland Fantom XR ready for touring in Australia. And its the feverish bit that is bothering me for since Tuesday I have been selected by a nasty virus as one of its victims. If I said that the zombies in Michael Jacksons Thriller looked healthier than I you would get the picture. I am of the opinion now its only breaks in the work schedue which interfere with our immune systems turning us into dumping grounds for any stray germs which require a host. Hoping to be recovered by 3rd February although the prophets of doom tell me this one lasts much longer. At least I can wallow in lush keyboard soundscapes instead of the sea and bask in the inspiring rays of quality grand pianos. Anyone got any LemSip 2009-1-16 08:34:32 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#34314 Like a planespotter to the observation deck a trainspotter to the platform or a twitcher to the hide I present those allimportant Smokie statistics for your perusal. Being the official keeper of all Smokie data from room numbers flight numbers and even backstage sandwiches I can tell you that 2008 yielded the following numbers Flights 153 Gigs 100 Countries 16 Any guesses at what next year will bring Early indications are that it could be fairly similar. We will see just one year from today. 2008-12-31 09:23:18 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#34278 I have brought the date sheet uptodate with all the known concerts for next year. As always it is subject to changes and swaps so please dont panic if you dont yet see any dates for your region. Its not over til the fat lady sings. 2008-12-30 09:09:15 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#34246 It was an honour to be on the guest list for the wedding of John Madsen on Saturday 27th December at Hvedholm Slot in Faaborg. Four members of Smokie interrupted their family Christmases to join John and Kirsten for their special day. And what a day it was The days events were magnificently planned with the usual MN Music attention to detail making for a superbly well rounded and very absorbing extravaganza of musical and culinary delights. The location was perfect as was every part of the celebration. I wish these two lovely people a lifetime of happiness together 2008-12-29 05:25:20 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#34041 My final show Smokies 100th this year was everything for which I could possibly have wished. The orchestra under the skillful guidance of conductor Marius Hristescu brought a new dynamism to an already improved live performance. The bands manager John Wagstaff stated simply that it was the best performance he has ever seen. The audience loved it the band enjoyed it and the orchestra can look forward to doing it again next year. There could not have been a better way to end an excellent touring year. Now there is a break until February. I wish everyone who views this site a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year And yes there may well be another YouTube broadcast early in 2009. 2008-12-21 08:03:21 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#33963 Last nights TV show titled Happy Hour was screened in the early evening and has since been repeated several times. The band performed Alice and If you think you know how to love me. Recordings of the performances are posted on www.happyhour.ro. Now there just remains a day of rehearsal with the orchestra followed by a spectacular show with which to end our touring year. And what a special year it has been 2008-12-18 12:34:10 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#33900 Floating around in a salt water pool at The Apollo Spa in Targu Mures it is easy to forget the mayhem that is the runup to Christmas. I am in a land of scenery and celebration. Any more relaxed and I would come to a complete stop. But the tough bit is yet to come as the weeks itinerary starts to include things which were never mentioned at the beginning. A new TV show and a punishing journey are just the start. Yes life on the road is mostly about getting where you are going and being ready when you arrive.The gig at Sala Sporturlor in Cluj reaffirmed our lasting relationship with Cluj Napoca where we have established lasting ties to this community. Even when gigs in Bucharest were thin on the ground Cluj was there to listen to Smokies latest offering. Now the whole of Romania is ready to take in the new and revitalised music which the band has to offer. Times change as does this enigmatic band. To be part of it is to be on a journey of uncertain destination. All that is certain is tha... 2008-12-17 00:14:40 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#33861 A select gathering was in attendance at Palatul Stirbei in Oras Buftea Romania. Smokie were a wellguarded secret until showtime when the surprise was finally sprung.This was in sharp contrast to the sellout concert at Casa Sindicatelor in Iasi pronounced yashy where the show had been superbly promoted by Radio Iasi. A onehour press conference in the afternoon helped to set the mood for the evening. We made new friends in this city and all walked away with free bright red Radio Iasi quilted jackets. You cant miss me if you ever see me wearing this jacket so bright is the colour. Even Santa Claus would be impressed 2008-12-16 06:38:48 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#33494 A newly refurbished and expanded TF Theatre in Castlebar was the venue for a sellout Christmas show. The atmosphere could not have been more full of celebration and plain old Irish partying. The band returns to this venue on 14th March next year a show which is already selling fast.A select crowd attended Ballinasloes Carlton Shearwater on Sunday night. They soon warmed to Smokies love songs even if they may have been contemplating work on Monday morning. The Irish pork crisis has taken my favourite bacon off the menu making breakfast a most continental event. 2008-12-8 18:40:47 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#33354 A recordbreaking crowd attended Irelands National Events Centre in Killarney last night intent on celebrating. It was the start of the festive season and spirits were high the audience giving us a mighty reception. 2008-12-6 09:33:07 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#33347 A crystal clear sound was the audible result of Smokie using inear monitors at The Whitehall Theatre in Dundee. Radio Tays engineer described it as the best sound he had ever heard and the audiences reaction bore testimony to this statement. This was the final show in the acousticelectric series. Now the band start the Irish Christmas shows where the parties will no doubt rage well into the small hours. Not that the band need a special excuse to celebrate 2008-12-5 22:06:41 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#33091 Smokie bid a fond farewell to Sweden until April next year after a characteristicly good humoured performance at Mariestads Folk Park. Its quite clear that the fans are counting the days until the next show while the band can be assured that this Swedish tour has cemented an old and valued relationship by demonstrating that even an established band can produce a few new tricks to thrill the audience. With the dawning of each new year there is something different of which to look forward. Time moves quickly in this business. We will be back very soon. 2008-11-30 06:17:02 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#33070 I have seen large crowds before in Kristianstad but usually out in the park during the summer festivals. This time we were inside Idrottshall where the voices of the audience seemed even louder than usual. It was a magical evening which was made even more enticing by twinkling Christmas lights and decorations. It was Rock and Roll with plenty of heart. Thats what good parties are all about 2008-11-29 15:16:35 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#32939 Once again the band played the acoustic set to an enthusiastic audience. One song which is emerging as a firm favourite is Love remains a stranger. The touring party moves on today to Kristianstad. 2008-11-27 08:03:14 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#32836 I finally managed to get that video up on You Tube. For some reason it would not happen last week but here it is now. 2008-11-25 07:19:10 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#32767 The audience at Siggesta Gard experienced the double set featuring acoustic songs selected from Eclipse. Their reaction was overwhelmingingly positive. The venue is an impressive wooden structure with a singlestretch tiered auditorium which rather like The Corn Exchange in Kings Lynn looks like a ski slope from the stage. The venue was packed literally to the rafters and it was without doubt a night to remember 2008-11-23 20:16:37 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#32711 Smokie are no strangers to Societets Restaurant in Varberg having played both indoor and outdoor venues in the past. We certainly felt like we were on familiar territory and amongst old friends. The cosy venue was a perfect oasis from plummeting outdoor temperatures as winter started to bite. The show was a single set which kept the audience on a high for a full ninety minutes. As with Highland dancing it is a very effective way of keeping warm at this time of year. 2008-11-22 11:19:58 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#32561 I tried several times yesterday to upload a new video to You Tube but found that the video was always out of synch with the audio. Next time I get a chance I will try again. 2008-11-19 12:23:24 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#32524 The creative juices are flowing again and there is a new Christmas Verse to be found amongst these pages. Desperate times call for desperate rhyming 2008-11-18 10:26:28 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#32478 A weekend off from touring means a chance to catch up on other work. This weeks task was to hottail down to Perth to clear out a spare room in my daughters recently acquired flat and build a bed so I could also enjoy a nights sleep after a day of labour. It was a very enjoyable task and gave me a chance to catch up with both Stef and Luke who I havent seen since early September. It was a total family event which is very rare nowadays. All chances to spend time together are precious and memorable. Cest la vie 2008-11-17 08:18:24 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#32259 Last nights recording of The Kandis Show is intended for broadcast on New Years Eve subject to the programme planners agreement. The technical crew were delighted with the results so it is likely that their plans will go ahead on that day. Smokie performed Mexican Girl O Carol and Living next door to Alice to an enthusiastic audience. 2008-11-12 11:56:47 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#32107 The DGI Hallerne in Vejle resonated to Smokies final Danish concert this year. Our show is maturing and improving and has found great support in this country. Its always a pleasure to have something new to offer the audience and this combination has worked well. We never need to say goodbye only farewell and once more the band are on our way to another country. But this time its different because we will be returning briefly on Tuesday to record The Kandis Show for transmission on New Years Eve. 2008-11-9 08:55:28 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#31977 Smokie will appear on The Kandis Show recorded on Tuesday 11th November in Viborg. 2008-11-5 11:17:14 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#31844 When 1600 pairs of lungs bellow Hasta la vista at full pelt rather than whispering it you know you have a crowd. To calm such a crowd with an acoustic set is no mean feat but it was equally well received at Odenses Idraetshal last night. The compliments ran thick and fast. The Danes have sampled a fresh format and given it the thumbs up. The fun continues next week with two concerts and a TV show in Denmark this being the Scandinavian leg of the world tour. 2008-11-4 09:19:27 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#31825 The audience at Viborgs Tinghallen were treated to a newly formatted double set which features some of the songs from the Eclipse album. There was an overwhelming feeling that the part acousticpart electric formula worked very well. It will always be the case however that the crowd want to party with the old hits. Whatever the viewpoint there was something to please everyone and more than enough to divert attention away from flying witches. 2008-11-1 09:53:23 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#31583 The refreshing thing about Ireland is that opinions are given with complete honesty. The Irish often say things which are the bald truth with no trimmings. It is therefore even more meaningful when the compliments flow so generously after Smokies stage show. That doesnt mean that the insult isnt just about to arrive in the form of ...but I hate the shoes. What you see is what you get over here on the Emerald Isle and there is a great deal of fun and laughter. This is the country where there is no such thing as stardom and people say the first thing that comes into their head. I love it because it reminds me of myself as a child and sometimes an adult when I so often said the thing that was on other peoples minds but not on their tongues. This has been a most successful tour. We shall return to Ireland for the Christmas shows in December. Now its time to brave wind rain and flooding to get to Derry. Anyone got a boat 2008-10-26 09:32:20 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#31464 Ice stadia are always cold unless Smokie are playing. Last nights gig in FrydekMistek was relocated to such a venue due to pressure of demand for tickets. You would be mistaken if you believe that the Czech audience were there for only nostalgic reasons for they were with us all the way through our musical journey covering three decades. The Czech Republic hasnt featured much in our tour schedule of late but that is about to change. I look forward very much to visiting again. 2008-10-23 09:55:15 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#31408 The atmosphere was electric at Locomotiva Sports Halle in Pilsen. A huge autograph signing session in the afternoon gave us the chance to meet some of the audience who gave us an enormous round of applause as we approached. It was a hot gig after an unseasonally hot day. Hard to imagine that there are only two months left before the Christmas break. More gigs in The Czech Republic are being planned for next year. 2008-10-22 06:35:17 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#31363 Some people have asked me what the clicking noise is in the background of the September YouTube message. It is the camera strap knocking against the tripod as I try to run quickly round my house. The heavy breathing is simply evidence that I am not very fit at present having abandoned all exercise in favour of world touring. Maybe Ill keep still in future unless I make the next broadcast from the Wii Balance Board. 2008-10-21 11:26:25 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#31295 I never say goodbye only farewell. This may seem like the end of the German tour but really it is the beginning. Next year will find Smokie in Germany a little more often and going on the reaction of the audience at Scala Ludwigsburg that will be very welcome news. Record releases and promotion are planned over the coming months so those Smokie adverts will be hitting the airwaves once more. Its been an absolute pleasure to play five quite different shows to such enthusiastic audiences. The touring party now moves on to The Czech Republic. 2008-10-20 00:06:46 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#31256 It was as full as an airport shuttle bus and as hot as the Sahara at Pfafflingens Raiser Tanzzentrum. Its always a pleasure to play a hot sweaty club especially when the audience are as energetic as they were last night. These early autumn gigs are finding everyone on very good form. Long may it continue now that Christmas is just round the corner. 2008-10-19 08:50:09 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#31237 Someone put happy juice in the crowds drink in Eilsleben. They were on fine form and showed continuous good humour. It was like playing to a bunch of our best friends. A large bra was thrown on to the stage we later signed it and it was stretched across the front of the drum kit for comical effect. A good night I think so 2008-10-18 16:36:25 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#31178 The mood was upbeat at the Paulaner Club in Recklinghausen. With autumn leaves sticking to our shoes we entered the glass building in full view of the audience who were ready to join the party. Similarly at TheaterFabrikSachsen in Leipzig there was a warm reception in a very hot room waiting for us. We will be in Germany for five days enjoying a variety of quite different venues. It may be chilly outside but there is no shortage of heat where Smokie perform. No need for that sauna in the morning 2008-10-16 23:17:22 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#30890 There is one recurring theme on Smoie tours which is the amount of energy the band still have for the live show. I feel that this is even increasing with time. The show gets better from the bands poiint of view as we each find new inspiration and this in turn leads to a more energetic performance. Last nights gig at The Garden Club in Winterthur caused near euphoria as the audience reacted as one to a very intimate and dynamic performance. We have all the energy we need to complete a very gruelling tour schedule for October. Good health to all 2008-10-13 07:37:52 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#30771 Apologies for the lack of reporting on the South African tour but there was no internet access in most places and no time to spare for most of the tour. To sum up it was the most successful SA tour so far and we have forged an excellent relationship with our new promoter Frans Swart. There is already talk of our return next year. 2008-10-10 08:10:15 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#30270 The concert at Orpheum Graz was a strong start to the autumn tour with both band and audience on very good form. However on the way back to the hotel with only 400 metres to go our van ploughed into the side of a Seat which then shunted another vehicle. All vehicles were extensively damaged but no occupants were injured. For those people who had been in the 1995 accident it was a chilling reminder. Otherwise it was just another day in a hectic tour schedule which might not have turned out this way after the air traffic control radar in London went down on Thursday causing massive delays and cancellations and grounding some of the band in Manchester. We survived to play another show and were astonished to find that our transport consisted of two Red Cross vans. As it happened this had nothing to do with the events of the previous night and more to do with the fact that the whole event in Prottes was organsied by The Red Cross. At least we were safe in the hands of trained professionals... 2008-9-28 15:36:04 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#30037 Since the sun rose above the mountains this morning it has never stopped shining in this part of The Highlands which is great because I have had the chance to keep working outdoors on various jobs which need doing before I start touring. Now that night and day are equal in length there is less chance to get out in the open unless it is to catch a plane. That 4.30 a.m. start on Thursday is going to come as a bit of a shock to the system 2008-9-22 17:21:34 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#29993 There are usually two main reasons to celebrate when its raining and when its not. However this site is one year old today so I thought Id take the day off and enjoy doing absolutely nothing. Cant remember the last time that happened but I dont think it was in this decade. Thank you to all those who have been regular visitors. May you continue to find information amusement and alternative views in this location. 2008-9-21 17:01:34 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#29624 Its a full two years since I disconnected all my studio gear and stored it away waiting for the chance to get it up and running once more. Domestic changes as well as business ones have meant that there was no time or place for Enrick Studio which remained cocooned in its place of rest. Now it has reemerged in a new desktop guise and is sleeker and more manageable. But time is running out again and I think I wont get a chance to use it until next year. But at least it is ready even if I am not 2008-9-13 07:13:06 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#29551 Thats a sound I am used to hearing. However in this case I am the housekeeper and I have dusted the site and polished the presentation. I didnt quite dare go to autumnal colours mainly because I am very attached to blue. Anyway here is the site for your perusal and enjoyment. I shall endeavour to keep the reports uptodate especially if Nokia return my internet tablet which has crashed and faded to black screen. Technology is so good if you can lay your hands on it. Otherwise I shall just carry on reading my book and waiting for a chance to get on the internet. 2008-9-11 10:34:00 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#29486 Some of you have found it already which is the actionpacked You Tube video for 8th September. This is what touring could be all about 2008-9-9 17:09:37 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#29314 Where possible I place the correct tour dates on this website but sometimes there are inaccuracies because my source of information is incorrect. Dates change regularly and I dont always get to know about it. If you have bought a ticket for a show and it is not listed on my website it is more likely that you have the correct information while I only have a broad outline of possible tour dates. This happens a lot in Germany and Sweden where dates are swapped at the last moment. I thank those of you who bring this to my notice and allow me to correct any inaccuracies. 2008-9-6 07:42:14 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#28754 My counter tells me that after 11 months there have been over 10000 visits to this site helped no doubt by the unshrinking loyalty of all the Smokie fans. Thank you for being regular visitors and joining me in some of the hilarity that characterizes my career. The music business is still a lot of fun and gives good raw material for unique reporting. Not all gigs are the same otherwise there would be nothing new to say. I always find new experiences and try to find novel ways of putting these across to the readers of these blogs. Take a look at some of the previous reports they are a flythrough of all that has happened during this period. Its rather like looking at photographs. They stir memories and remind me of the special circumstances which surround each and every occasion. Thanks again for your support. I shall continue to write for those who enjoy reading. 2008-8-26 07:09:45 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#28723 Is it my imagination or does every break from work start with wind and rain It is certainly blowing up a gale outside and sending summer flowers into a whirl. My usual expectation is that September will be a good month and it mostly is. Plans to take to the golf course have been superceded by Wii and indoor bowling both of which make you ache a lot. Come on September bring me some of that healing Autumn sunshine which I first experienced in my early visits to Scotland many years ago. The Beijing Olympics are over but I would still like to ride my bike 2008-8-25 07:11:33 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#28409 All good things must come to an end and a busy and enjoyable summer of touring ended in Hjorring Denmark where the crowd were in very high spirits. Smokie has appeared many times in Denmark this summer and are due to return in October. Meanwhile it is back to The Highlands for me and a chance to catch up on some of the work which has been waiting for me since January. I might also occasionally swing a golf club and take a bike ride. Whatever happens there will be no flying for me for a while. Its nice to get my feet back on solid ground. 2008-8-17 11:05:53 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#28157 There was more boat travel as Smokie headed at a luxurious pace for the Fjordfestivalen at Hernestangen i Royken. The venue may be reached much quicker by road but that would be no fun. The assembled crowd were in good vocal form as were the inhabitants of the fleet of boats at the harbour who listened from a distance. It is the end of the summer for the Norwegians so there is a good reason to make the most of the final celebrations before mooring their boats returning to their main residences and sending the children back to school. It all seemed too short as do all of the things that we enjoy most. But it has been so very enjoyable during the festival season and we havent quite finished yet. Just one more to go 2008-8-11 09:07:22 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#28042 I noticed for the first time that there are no trees at all on The Faroe Islands. It has a wild beauty and is a little reminiscent of North Yorkshire with rolling hills and long rock escarpments. This was Smokies first summer visit having not been here since January 1995. The crowd of around 8000 greeted us with deafening cheers. On the plane journey from Copenhagen some of the passengers had told us that Smokie are one of the most popular bands on these islands. The audience bore testimony to that claim and their enthusiasm lasted right until the end when darkness finally fell. Whereas Denmark is a land of bridges The Faroe Islands are now joined by tunnels which makes travelling a lot easier than it was on our last visit. It was a pleasure to be back and it will be an equal pleasure to return. 2008-8-8 09:02:43 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#27880 I am wondering why I stagger around this morning as if drunk. Then I remember that Saturday was a very long day starting at Grindsted Stadion in Denmark where Smokie kicked off the festival with a flourish. For normal people it would be enough to go to work once a day and then go home contented. Not for us though as we boarded a plane bound for Norway and then a three and a half hour drive to Engerdal where we were making a repeat appearance at a venue we had played just two years ago. This time the audience was larger and the reaction was mighty. It helps to remember such great times especially if the body screams at me that I am overdoing things 2008-8-4 08:14:03 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#27766 The Langelands Festival is a massive event which lasts a whole week. Thats a long time by festival standards. Smokie hit the stage at 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday. Thats a great time to entertain because the crowd is fresh and energetic. The very high temperatures of the last few days subsided for a while whch also helped to energise everybody. The show received a massive euphoric reaction. Now the band are tucked away in a secret location until tomorrow when we will be performing in both Denmazrk and Norway. Bring on teleportation 2008-8-1 07:46:06 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#27543 This last week has seen a welcome heatwave in this part of the UK with Inverness the hottest part of Britain on more than one occasion. It was lucky then that Smokie took a short break. With no need to board any planes this week I have been able to enjoy unbroken sunshine and a chance to really work in the grounds in preparation for the gathering which took place here over the weekend. It was an Aussiestyle cookyourownmeat type of occasion where the drink flowed freely for the best part of 10 hours. What a pleasure and what a great chance to catch up with people I may only see once a year due to heavy work committments. So excuse me if I look unusually tanned but I can tell you that I have definitely not been on holiday. Who needs a holiday when conditions at home are so agreeable 2008-7-28 06:58:41 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#27232 Rowlit in the City has changed venue a few times sometimes its even in the quarry but that has been discontinued for safety reasons. This year the show was placed right next to the firemens quarters which houses a fascinating array of artifacts photos souvenirs and even framed axes. The audience were patient for Smokie as we finally hit the stage at 12.50 in the morning yet had plenty of energy reserves for singing with us right until the end. There just arent enough gigs in Finland. More are being planned and hopefully booked before the diary becomes too full for next year. Smokie like The Scarlet Pimpernel are being sought here there and everywhere. 2008-7-20 06:52:29 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#27207 To be far away from civilization is to take the ferry to Samso and lose track of time. Its a small island with a small population which swells greatly during the summer months as festival revellers and owners of holiday homes get away from it all. The crowd needed entertaining and Smokie delivered. There ensued a party afterwards where some of the band took to the stage for an unusual rendition of Stand by me. The familiar red scene in Hadsund was waiting for the band on our return from the island life and an early show saw us finishing before 7.30 p.m. Unusual though that is it worked out well for us as we had to wake early this morning for a trip to Turku and the resulting show in Pargas. This will be our fourth appearance at this festival. Perhaps this year the mosquitos wont be biting 2008-7-19 11:31:28 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#26898 Midsund is an island off the west coast of Norway with a population of about 1900 people a large number of whom attended the Midsund festival now in its fourth year. The hospitality was tremendous with a delicious meal of freshly caught crayfish and other seafood served in the home of one of the islands residents. A boat was laid on for transport between the island and the mainland and time had no relevance. The crowd were euphoric and there was talk immediately after the show of repeating the event with Smokie as international headline act. Im sure this will happen in future dates permitting since there are already bookings which take us well into the summer of 2009. 2008-7-13 18:32:10 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#26829 There was a very warm reception for Smokie at the Havnefest where the temperature was high under canvas. The capacity crowd joined us in everysong proving their knowledge of three decades of Smokie music. Summeris still in evidence here in Denmark which is in sharp contrast to conditions onNorways west coast. 2008-7-12 01:28:09 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#26788 The town square was packed the rain stayed away and the audience were ready to party. With regular TV spots advertising the acoustic album Smokieare enjoying high profile in Denmark. The tour moves on to Juelsminde and anearly start for the west coast of Norway tomorrow. 2008-7-11 08:02:12 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#26633 Thanks for all your kind birthday wishes mostly posted on Marikas website. Its overwhelming to wake up to messages from so many people who have such lovely things to say me. I feel very lucky to be part of such a popular band. My thanks to all of you. I can only repay your generosity of thought by performing some more for you maybe somewhere close to where you live Check out the latest You Tube message and see that there is indeed life offtheroad. 2008-7-8 07:42:43 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#26538 One moment the place is as quiet as a library and then there is a torrent of people emergingfrom boats bars cafes and camper vans. Such was the scene at Wrightegaarden in Langesund Norway. Now there are just two washing days before I turn round and do the same again next week. Its no wonder that some people ask Why dont you just move to Scandinavia. 2008-7-6 09:03:07 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#26508 It was a short commute from Haugesund to Skudeneshavn wherea large crowd were waiting for the start of the Skude Festivalwhich incidentally is twinned with the Scottish Portsoy Festival.A luxury Fairline transported us speedily to Stavanger for a briefrest before moving on to Oslo. The Seljord Festival is the largest gathering of mobile homesand caravans I have ever seen. It also carries special memoriesfor me because the 6000strong crowd sang Happy 50th Birthdayto me two years ago. Last night there was a similar sized crowdwho were in very good vocal form. 2008-7-5 10:28:11 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#26229 The next shows in Germany will be in October. In the meantime after a tremendous show in Rehna I wish them well in tonights Euro 2008 final. The band will be seeing a lot of Scandinavia in the next few weeks so plenty of daylight 2008-6-29 12:20:32 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#26134 The theme was Euro 2008 yet nobody seemed d305stracted by football wh305le Smok305e played at Landhausplatz 305n Innsbruck. It was a n305ght off for footy revellers and a n305ght on for mus305c lovers. The sett305ng was perfect nestl305ng 305n the centre of the town wh305ch 305s surrounded by mounta305ns. At the R305xos Prem305um Hotel 305n Belek Antalya there was an atmosphere of hol305daymak305ng and supertann305ng 305n extreme temperatures. Not even the Russ305a versus Spa305n game could deplete the numbers 305n the aud305ence. W305th the sea breeze beh305nd us 305t was a p305ece of parad305se. The band look healthy and f305t for the last run of Scand305nav305an summer shows. 2008-6-27 09:25:13 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#25980 Actually it was two Bads one Bad Urach and one Bad Langensalza. The longest day of the year gave us a few extra vital seconds of daylight in which to thrill the audience. They responded accordingly. The saunalike conditions in the tent in Bad Langelsalza caused the audience and band alike to almost breathe in and out simultaneously to maximise oxygen. Probably the hottest gig of the yearTonight we perform in picturesque Innsbruck as part of the Euro 2008 celebrations. Since there is no match until tomorrow we have no need to drag supporters away from their TV sets. 2008-6-24 10:12:48 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#25559 The audience waited patiently for the start of a late show. The comment of So Farso good went right over their heads as they reached for umbrellas and raincoats. The audiences applause never lost strength as the show continued well into Sunday morning. I bid farewell to Denmark for a few weeks returning again on 10th July. 2008-6-15 08:50:34 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#25490 Whereas Rod Stewart at 63 is a bridge virgin this was something like Smokies sixth appearance at Rock under the Bridge. With only two acts performing at this evening show the audience were energetic and lively. The Danes showed us their best reaction as the show sped towards its conclusion with Alice. But seventyfive minutes just didnt seem long enough either for the crowd or the band. 2008-6-13 18:55:39 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#25243 As the temperature soared the final day of Harboores festival was a steamy event. This was Denmark at its summery best. If the high pressure continues there could well be many vessels floating alongside the stage area on Thursday in Middelfart. Long summer days lead to short and hot summer nights when sleep is just a luxury. That sits well with the musicians lifestyle which is characterised by late nights and early mornings. At least the sun is up before we are at this time of year. 2008-6-8 08:50:29 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#25139 Well what else can I do on a Thursday morning Those monthly You Tube videos are putting a smile on someones face. If you find out who it is could you please let me know 2008-6-5 12:38:31 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#25008 Moscow never looked quite like this before. A unique view of St Basils in Red Square formed the backdrop for Auto Radios 15th anniversary concert. Smokie were allocated just three songs but the party at Moscows finest Paradise Club lasted for hours. A return visit to the Rock Theatre in Kaliningrad meant a very lively show after a very hot day. This show marked the end of indoor concerts for now and the beginning of open air festivals. Summer came with a vengeance and the temperature on stage was in the high 20s. It was a hot gig in all respects. Our audience in this great venue were with us all the way making for a special and memorable night. I think we will be back 2008-6-3 07:35:36 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#24606 From the ramparts Smokie attacked only to receive equal effort from the audience. Castle Buchlovice held many secrets and the band unravelled a few of our own in this historic setting. It was five versus three thousand and there was nowhere to hide nothing for it but to let forth a salvo of hits and wait for these offerings to bring on the desired effect. We captured their hearts and called it a draw. A return match is on the cards. Never underestimate the power of the crowd. A great time was had by all and not a bit of bloodshed. Now the elevenhour drive takes us back to where we started two days ago. Really you need the endurance of a pawn and the heart of a king for this caper. 2008-5-24 05:26:16 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#24575 The Reinach Glashaus afforded the audience a unique view of Smokie as we watched the final 20 minutes of the Chelsea v Man Utd game from Moscow. The gig itself was intimate and then followed the opportunity to crowd around a TV where in full view of the departing audience we celebrated our own impressions of the closing minutes of the match. Only a few hours later we were on a 12hour journey which took us to Liberec in The Czech Republic where a huge crowd were waiting at the Dum Kultury. This marked our return visit to this territory which like Romania is starting to call for more Smokie gigs. And when we get the call we start packing a bag. That is what life on the road is all about. 2008-5-23 08:05:36 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#24461 The location was a closely guarded secret but I can tell you that large disused factories can be very cold. As the final arrangements were made for the first part of the video shoot the heavens opened and dumped a liberal carpet of water over the surroundings creating drips and leaks everywhere. But somehow the combination of smoke from three cauldrons and the shafts of light which cast an Indiana Jonesstyle halo over the buildings interior gave the whole scene a freshness which will surely translate well into a fine representation of Smokies daylong shoot. The humour carried over from the Esbjerg weekend and the band found enjoyment in the smallest of matters. Filming can be very boring with lots of waiting around doing nothing and trying to resist the sweets and biscuits do you ever wonder why Hollywood stars sudenly put on a lot of weight. Yesterdays collection of stills and video made the whole process worthwhile. The results will be seen shortly on the 30second TV advert which scr... 2008-5-20 07:35:40 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#24376 Smokies association with this west coast Danish town is strong and enduring. As much as we feel special in this charming city we are made to feel at home by our audience. They were treated to some of the more humorous side of the band as were interviewers who asked simple questions only to find that there is a truly nutty side to Smokie. Tomorrows filming will put the lid on final preparations for the album release in June. The title is Eclipse. 2008-5-18 07:44:53 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#24345 Sorry for this period of cyberspace silence. Its entirely due to the fact that I have been so busy travelling 62 hours in one week that I have never had an opportunity to reach a computer let alone eat or sleep. Kings Lynn was a great success as always with a hugely appreciative crowd who would wish to see more of Smokie. But youre always overseas said one person. She is right as the tour dates confirm. A visit to the east found us in Ferdinandshof Germany where the open air concert to a capacity crowd started the round of outdoor shows which are typical for this time of year. Similarly in Deva Romania Smokie were welcomed by a crowd who were ready with their umbrellas. Several days of hot weather had helped to breed a thunderstorm which kept the ground moist but did nothing to distract the audiences attention. Romania is still a relatively new territory for us and the groundwork is being done for the Christmas shows which feature 101 violins. And today we find ourselves in Esbjerg whe... 2008-5-17 07:25:21 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#23903 Its impossible to make a video in these Highland surroundings without natures soundtrack as provided by cows sheep and birds. Thats part of the beauty of living in such an unspoilt part of the United Kingdom. A particularly noisy cow delayed the recording of the latest You Tube video causing me to drink more wine for the scene than I had planned. So the result is a slightly sozzled presentation against a backdrop of tweets bleats and moos. 2008-5-7 08:24:50 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#23711 Would you be surprised to know that my two dogs now have their own website This was an experimental site which I built for fun. Anyone can do it and it is free. Known as a Wiki Website it can be shared amongst interested groups so that it may be updated by any person in that group. For a truly hairy experience take a look at httpspaniels.wetpaint.com. But please dont feed the dogs. 2008-5-3 07:35:56 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#23685 Many happy memories have been made in Vienna over the years. Last night reminded me of some of these when Smokie again worked with a very familiar promoter on an equally familiar show. With the River Danube as a backdrop and a wildly enthusiastic audience we could only succeed in pleasing. This was One night in Vienna I shall always remember. I wrote an intro many years ago titled Vienna Intro see Albums. The associations are many and varied. One thing is for sure I have always had a successful gig in this special city. 2008-5-2 11:32:33 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#23513 Check the links on this website and take a look at www.smokieonline.de. Marikas very informative Smokie site has taken on a new look. See what you think 2008-4-29 07:30:57 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#23456 The Robin was rocking on this our first return to the lively venue in Bilston. Facetoface contact counts high on my list of priorities and The Robin has it in spades. Barnsleys Metrodome had a different atmosphere entirely with a spacious area to fill and plenty of elbow room. A long signing session after the show enabled the band to meet many of the audience who were so happy to see Smokie in Barnsley for the first time in many years. It was a rather special night with many nostalgic memories. For me it was the first time I had played this town with Smokie although the place looked very familiar from my days with The Ward Brothers. And the Hidihi element was reminded as I took my caravan and waited for the 11.30 p.m. stage time at Vauxhall Caravan Park in Great Yarmouth. From the stage I saw some very humorous outfits from punters who had dressed for a 70s party. They certainly werent disappointed and neither was the band as the happy atmosphere and absurd wigs formed our backdrop for... 2008-4-28 08:41:07 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#23139 Mill Rythe Holiday Village describes itself as The Gateway to the Stars. Indeed occasionally a particularly talented member of staff makes it to stardom. In my opinion this charming resort is full of stars. They are some of the most likeable people I have ever met working in the leisure industry. Their gutsy and honest approach to entertainment is refreshing as was the audiences reaction. The night was not only reserved for residents but also attracted a fair few people from outside the grounds some of whom had travelled a fair distance to see the show. It was a pleasure to be part of a scene which helped to foster so many of Britains great entertainers and to return to the roots which gave substance to such a long and healthy career for Smokie. Thank you to all who made this a successful night. 2008-4-20 21:24:56 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#22863 I have added another video on You Tube for the sake of those who like to see the lighthearted side of me. Thank you for your comments on these short video blogs. They are fun to make and quick to view making an ideal way to keep fans in touch. No awards for the acting of course. Perhaps the outtakes would be worth a look 2008-4-15 11:49:03 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#22823 In this waterloving nation the best way to reach Haugesund from Bergen is by Sea Cat which speedily ploughs the waves while all inside are warm and wirelessly connected. An early show found Smokie playing to 4000 highspirited people in Vardhallen. It felt like the beginning of a party season which promises to last for many months this year with regular return visits to a country where album sales meant that one in forty people owned a Smokie album. Roll on the midnight sun 2008-4-14 07:45:04 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#22758 The audience were impatient for the start of the show at Ricks. No wonder really because they were jammed in like sardines in a tin. Were it not for the crash barriers they would most likely have spilled on to the stage. Some of them looked like they wished they had. It was as good a night in Bergen as Smokie have ever had with the usual show of appreciation for all of the songs old and new. Many of this generation grew up with the number one sellers Whose are these boots and Boulevard of Broken Dreams and the response showed this to be the case. 2008-4-12 15:31:30 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#22323 Conditions deteriorated in the mountains above Zell Am See just as Smokie reached the summit. The blizzard cut short the proposed filming and fun with snowblowers and skidoos resulting in a longer break in the restaurant alongside champion skiiers. Eventually an alternative route down the mountain was chosen and we reached ground level before the soundcheck. A large crowd clad in ski gear attended the show in the evening undeterred as snow and rain continued to fall. This part of the year marks the end of the quality skiing season as temperatures rise and the snow on the lower slopes becomes too wet. But at 2000 metres it was business as usual just as it was for Smokie at ground level where the show was an unqualified success. I think I have seen enough apple cake to last me a while 2008-4-3 14:57:44 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#22079 The two Danish gigs were very different in nature. Whereas the spacious Antvorskov Hallen in Slagelse had a largely standing audience Vejles Musikteatret was a cosier seated venue reminiscent of many of the Swedish theatres. This was a newer experience for Smokie in Denmark and it enabled the band to show its versatility to this appreciative audience. For some people the idea of sitting down was a little unfamiliar yet Smokies audience rarely sit for long. They merely own a seat for the night which they soon abandon. 2008-3-30 11:17:49 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#21706 While I can happily surf the internet and do some website updates on my Nokia Internet Tablet I cannot update the blog so I still have to find my way to a computer. This last Irish tour set a new standard. With a sellout show in Letterkenny and a massive audience at The Olympia no doubt inspired by Smokies recent appearance on The late late show the tour took on a frenzy of approval from young and old. Being in Ireland for St Patricks Day also put us in the middle of a huge celebration which gained intensity as the evening progressed. The Irish were at their partygoing best and Smokie responded accordingly. Meanwhile up here in the Highlands it is wintery enough to keep the Easter eggs from melting. 2008-3-22 06:59:19 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#21663 Now what to do with those discarded video messages from this website You might wish to see them again so I now upload to YouTube for easy reference. So just type in my name and youll be rewarded with a short message. More to follow. 2008-3-21 09:59:04 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#21218 I experienced great problems uploading the video yesterday due to excessively slow broadband speed. Perhaps Nessie was asleep on the cable deep down in Loch Ness. Who can say Anyway the blogcast is now operational. 2008-3-12 08:47:10 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#20924 Its been a while since I appeared on RTEs The Late Late Show but thats my destination tomorrow and it will be a pleasure to see the familiar faces of Irish television again prior to the 6day tour starting on 14th March. 2008-3-6 12:14:59 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#20757 Much as I love Gothenburg I wouldnt plan to spend 10 hours at the airport. Yet thats exactly what happened yesterday as severe weather threatened the Amsterdam flight and equipment failure added to the problem. Still a night at Schipols Holiday Inn wasnt the worst thing that can happen. But I was concerned about missing Mothers Day. This is my chance to spoil my mother and wife by taking them out to dinner and telling them how important they both are and how similar. So I shall make it up to them by postponing the event by one day and doing the dinner thing tomorrow when restaurants are more available and demand isnt running too high. After all my mother takes a lot of the credit for my development into the person I am today. Take that reasoning to its full logical conclusion and you can see that she really created a member of Smokie so a few of us should be grateful to her. Anyone wish to help with the bill 2008-3-2 18:19:57 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#20496 From the small and cozy Flygeln in Norrkoping to the larger reverberating Malmo Konserthus the Smokie tour continued in earnest. For the fans the tour is progressing too fast since they won180t see us in Sweden again after Friday until November. For the band it is another day and another show. Regardless of perspective it is a fact that the audience and band alike have given everything they had to these shows raising the temperature a few degrees during this Swedish winter whch is after all not as cold as it should be. A three day break allows for some more recording of tracks for the forthcoming acoustic album. 2008-2-26 08:04:04 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#20421 Sodra Berget is a spa hotel in the mountains with breathtaking views overlooking Sundsvall. Its a great place to chill out and spend an evening with Smokie. The audience were on loud form and moved about as much as space would allow. It was a magical night with an amazing scenic backdrop. There are many ways of having a good time but this had to be one of the best. 2008-2-24 15:54:46 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#20346 Grangesberg is fortunate to have such a beautiful venue as Cassels. The surrounding area is quiet and rural yet this magnificent theatre restored after a fire in 1992 stands proud in the middle. With no cameras in our line of sight last night we had a full view of our very attentive and appreciative audience. 2008-2-23 08:53:11 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#20279 Stockholms finest partygoers witnessed the recording of Smokies new live DVD in the theatre at this boutique hotel belonging to Benny Andersson of ABBA. The venue allowed for an intimate atmosphere and a lively performance was captured with plenty of personality and fun. The band were on fine form and this should translate very well into a fine finished piece. 2008-2-22 08:13:08 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#19829 You may have noticed an error in the intro to the most recent video message in which I mention Monday 10th February. Honestly I do know that it was 11th but somehow I slipped through a wormhole. These things happen and help to make eventual outcomes a little less predictable. The space time continuum often plays tricks and its not even April 1st or is that March 32nd. Well spotted if you were one of those who felt the need to clarify the matter so as to be able to feel one day older. 2008-2-12 07:24:59 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#19797 As it approaches my 20th anniversary in Smokie on 7th March I have included some historic photos of earlier times in the gallery. Take a look and see if you can keep the smile off your face 2008-2-11 10:59:41 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#19587 Even though Spring isnt quite here I thought Id do a bit of tidying on the website. How do you like it And maybe Ill get the video camera out again and do a shoot somewhere near Nessie 2008-2-5 17:48:59 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#19544 The Cork Opera House has been a favourite venue for many years. The sellout gig just reconfirmed Smokies love affair with the venue and the people who rewarded us with a massive show of appreciation. Is this the return of Smokie mania It may well be since the audience who attended The Belfast Waterfront exceeded any previous numbers for that location. They witnessed a slightly altered show which is being honed in time for the making of the live DVD at Rival in Stockholm on 21st February. 2008-2-4 18:04:55 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#19435 The Irish Tour opened at Naass themed Time Bar where smartness is the norm. The audience quickly took to the dance floor and stayed there for the rest of the show. The very uptodate Osprey Hotel played host to Smokie. Pampering was on the menu in the form of a wellequipped leisure centre and excellent a la carte restaurant. There was no less of a welcome waiting at Clonmel Park Conference Leisure and Spa Hotel where the show was a sellout. There has never been a louder chorus to Carol and Alice as the audience excelled themselves in the singing department. Ticket demand exceeded supply and a return to this venue later this year is definitely on the cards. 2008-2-2 09:21:13 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#19273 The Jolly Joker in Braunschweig left me smiling. From an enormously high and sticky stage the audience looked a long way down. At that altitude the stage smoke hung like a cloud. This was Rock and Rollsville with all the familiar sights and smells. A happening gig and a true reminder of our origins. Zentralhallen in Hamm resounded literally with Smokie music as the sound bounced off walls and the ceiling giving the audience a second chance to hear what had just gone. But the hall was as full of people as it was of melody and the audience showed their appreciation in large measures. There remains one last show on this German leg of the 2008 tour but first we take a night off and a chance to revive before moving on to Ireland. 2008-1-29 08:57:59 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#19206 Every tour must start somewhere and Smokies tour commenced at Musiktheater Capitol in Paderborn. The audience looked refreshed after the winter break and the show was filled with new energy in anticipation of a varietyfilled year. If you take one full house then add a lot more people you have full to bursting which nicely describes the conditions at Uhingens Uditorium Nicole Schmid. Where there was little room to clap the audience made up for it by cheering twice as loud. There was no doubt that we were made very welcome. Rosenhof in Osnabruck had an altogether more intimate feel. This was a warm gig in the sweaty Rock and Roll mode. Umbrellas accompaned us as we weaved our way to the stage and kebabs awaited us on our return. Good sound great audience good food what more can a musician want Please dont answer that one 2008-1-27 08:08:43 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#18852 Check out the new Video Message page. Here I get the opportunity to leave a short message for you which I shall update occasionally as new events occur. You may need to increase the volume on your computer because I speak very softly Shh 2008-1-19 10:33:52 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#18751 How about a freshly remastered version of Loch Ness Enigmas Sounded like a good idea so thats exactly what I have done. The artwork has also benefitted from a little bit of refreshing restoring the timeless quality of the Loch and bringing the text uptodate. It isafter all twelve years since I embarked on the project to set the narrative of Loch Ness to music. This has remained my favourite project outside of Smokie and one which reminds me every day of my initial inspiration as I drive past the exhibitions entrance in Drumnadrochit. 2008-1-17 08:08:11 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#18710 Did someone say something about global warming Why then has my environment turned into a Siberian wasteland with twoinch thick ice that just will not go Not for me the sort of holiday where you lie on a beach. Oh no I am scraping breaking and gritting in a sort of merrygoround daily routine to get the driveway clear so that vehicles may enter and exit without harm. I bet they would laugh at me in Russia Its an outdoor pursuit that lends itself more to extreme winter sports than casual jogging and its helping to shed the Christmas pounds. Maybe its all for a reason 2008-1-16 08:34:32 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#18479 For anyone into tech I can thoroughly recommend the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet which has only just come on the market. Rather than lugging around a laptop this little beauty gives fullfeature internet browsing as well as media playing and GPS mapping. I cant praise Nokia enough for finally inventing the machine which has meant that there is no longer any need to carry a laptop anywhere in the world. I shall be making full use of this device for blogging and keeping uptodate with world matters. Check it out if you are a tekky. I promise you will not be disappointed unless you have fingers like sausages 2008-1-11 09:14:55 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#18110 Its time to get back to normal whatever that is after a funfilled drinksoaked partyfilled familyorientated Christmas and New Year. Yes it was good and a great relief after the punishing schedule in the last three months of 2007. But I am looking down the barrel of a busier year in 2008. Smokie are very much in demand both on the live and the recording front. More work will be done on the acoustic album and there may be a release this year. The touring year is of the close to home variety with so far no real long haul flights just the usual Amsterdam commute with connections. To me that is just down the road even though the journey still takes 12 hours. I think I had better shake off that winter revelry ignore those twinkling Christmas lights and start to get in condition again. 2008-1-3 09:20:01 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#17894 To be able to spend both Christmas and New Year at home is an absolute luxury. It has been so good to finally spend quality time with my family and not to have to sit in an airport in the middle of the night waiting for a delayed flight to a far flung destination and hoping that the return flight will get me home on New Years Day unlikely in Scotland because all transport ceases that day. All of this means that I shall be in the capital of Hogmanay celebrations on 31st December. Its the best place in the world to welcome the New Year. The Highlanders make a big fuss over New Year and then have another party of their own on 12th January. Its a great excuse to fall off the edge of the planet and then reemerge after a lengthy period of relaxation drinking and dancing. Sounds a bit like an ordinary night with Smokie 2007-12-29 09:16:22 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#17683 Its not over til the fat lady sings. Well there are no fat ladies in sight but sightings of a certain fat man in a red suit are on the increase. From Brasov in Romania to Arhus in Denmark our own powered sledge has transported us with some help from Cimber Airlines. Where are we playing Cant tell you for it is a secret which will only be revealed tonight. After all do you really want to know what is inside all your presents before you open them I like surprises and I hope that tonights audience will as well. Its the final gig of the year and then Smokie actually take a break. OK it will probably be a hardworking break but I will not need to fly for a month. The furthest I will venture to is Scotlands west coast where I can see waves crashing spend some much needed time with my wonderful wife and try not to contemplate too hard the agenda for next year which promises to be much busier than this one. Wait a moment I think I hear bells hes been and I think there may be some surprises 2007-12-20 09:15:14 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#17603 The audiences reaction at Sala Polivalenta was mighty. It is 24 years since the band played this particular venue and the crowd was hungry for Smokie music. It was a scene of near mass hysteria with hypnotic cameos where thousands of mobiles lit up like fireflies providing the backdrop for If you think you know how to love me. There were many young people in the audience who sang along with songs old and new. This new generation has discovered their parents music much the same as the Scandinavians did in the 1980s. The future for Smokie looks bright in Romania where there is a reemergence of music with melody and meaningful lyrics. New doors are opening for the band all the time. Now all we need is a 28hour day and a 400day year to satisfy demand. 2007-12-17 20:33:52 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#17496 The final runup to Christmas has found Smokie in Castlebar and Killarney in the west of Ireland. There is no difficulty in getting into party mood here as the audience mostly arrive in high spirits. It is certainly starting to feel a little more like Christmas. All that is required now is some cold crisp weather and some of the white stuff. 2007-12-14 11:35:58 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#17385 Mlada Boleslav you were fantastic said Steve and he was so right. This may have been the annual bash for the Skoda company no free cars sadly but the gathering of intrigued punters soon learnt how to behave like a rock and roll audience. The Czech Republic took Smokie to their hearts in the 1970s and the euphoria is still very evident. This was an exhausting day that ended on a real high. 2007-12-10 20:35:26 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#17315 While the wind howls and the rain lashes across Ireland The Red Cow is home to three of Smokies Christmas Shows. No two nights are the same and the reception each night is equally warm. It may not feel much like Christmas yet but it certainly feels like a party 2007-12-8 10:17:02 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#16901 At Freedom Square in Tbilisi Georgia the band was given a huge welcome. The audience ignored the persistent rainfall to rock along with us as the near zero temperature froze fingers and feet. The televised show ended with early fireworks which accompanied the strains of Living Next Door to Alice. The Georgian people with whom I spoke all agreed that Smokie should visit more often. If thats an invitation I accept. In Karlsruhe there was an equally enthusiastic welcome from the crowd at The Europahalle. It felt good to play indoors and be warm again. This show marked our last appearance in Germany this year. 2007-11-26 09:39:27 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#16640 I have made available a few copies of the Sanctuary album which may be bought through World Music see the links page. In time these will also be available through this website. 2007-11-19 08:43:13 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#16583 Notwithstanding the early start from Stockholm and the rush through congested traffic to reach Hull the City Hall concert was an unqualified success. The audience seemed to be in the mood right from the start and their enthusiasm no doubt helped to carry a slightly weary band and crew through another great night of mutual celebration. This certainly paves the way for future shows in this part of Yorkshire where Smokie havent appeared too often. Absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder 2007-11-17 11:26:00 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#16493 It was a riproaring end to Smokies Autumn Tour of Sweden at Gothenburgs Konserthuset. The onstage pranks were running thick and fast and the audience enjoyed the fun. We return to Sweden in February. In the mean time we move on to Stockholm where there may be a surprise in store. 2007-11-14 09:22:56 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#16469 Our first gig at Linkopings Konsert och Kongress for several years was a great success. The venue is one of the larger ones we have played on this tour and the audience numbers were impressive. The city of Linkoping is one of Swedens most beautiful. It is a university city with what appear to be almost as many bicycles as Beijing. It was more of the same at Uppsalas brand new Konsert amp Kongress a venue which has been open for only two months. The purposebuilt auditorium made for a CDquality sound which was enjoyed by audience and band alike. 2007-11-13 15:56:13 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#16370 If you cant let your hair down on a Saturday night when can you The audience in Norrkoping had no trouble doing just that. The sellout show is responsible for the repeat booking at Flygeln next year when we will discover whether Sunday is also a day for celebration. 2007-11-11 07:41:03 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#16342 Orebro is a city which we have seen more than any other during our past visits to Sweden. The welcome is as warm as ever and the show was given a great reception. We leave behind a rather cooler scene than the one with which we were greeted with expected snowfalls and move at a leisurely pace to Norrkoping another favourite place for the band and one to which we will be returning on February 24th next year. 2007-11-10 07:08:51 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#16325 Take one excellent venue a happening band and an audience thats fired up mix them together and you have the perfect recipe for a good night such as the one at Vasteras Konserthus. I happen to know that yesterday was pea soup and pancake day here in Sweden and I was lucky enough to partake in this traditional Thursday dish. I wonder if its important to get the measures right because pea soup could put extra spring in your step while pancakes could easily slow you down. Any thoughts from you Swedes 2007-11-9 08:36:58 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#16303 Yes you did read that correctly for I have a notorious brother in South Africa. He is not a musician by trade although he has been known to beat the drums but he bangs out rather a different tune in the form of a weekly column in The Sunday Times website www.sundaytimes.co.za. His column is ironically titled Out to Lunch and is a weekly comment on South Africas social and political environment. He has a witty way of putting across serious issues. His columns have now filled three volumes the sale proceeds of which have all been donated to charity. Some say that their only reason for taking The Sunday Times is to read Davids column. I mention this out of family pride because he is my brother although he aint heavy at least he wasnt last time I threw him in his pool in Johannesburg. 2007-11-8 08:29:07 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#16279 At Varas very attractive Konserthus Smokie were welcomed with a full house comprising a great cross section of the communitys age groups. There is no lower or upper age bracket which precludes anyone from attending and enjoying the show. It is a great complement to the band that our music has transcended generation divides and kept its wide appeal. The band returns to Vara on Monday 29th February 2008. 2007-11-7 08:36:09 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#16205 We are no strangers to Grona Lund Stockholms amusement park but Tyrol which is part of the same complex was a new gig for Smokie. With great acoustics and a willing audience it was the perfect night for feeling close to the crowd. There was an atmosphere of good humour and the excellent sound inspired a performance with extra zest. 2007-11-5 08:41:51 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#16172 The reception at Gavles Konserthuset was a warm one prompting memories of our last show there in March 2006. The earlier snow had already melted so there was no skating on ice at the backstage entrance this time. Whilst Halloween was being celebrated on the streets there was another kind of magic happening at Smokies concert the type of magic which can only happen when a band and audience get together and really enjoy themselves. Now we move on to the capital. 2007-11-4 07:57:10 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#16145 Smokies first visit to Haparanda was warmly welcomed at the Aspenhallen. This was a sports hall with a highly attentive audience. To our surprise we were each presented with the Norrbotten A La Carte a book which shuold enable us to rustle up any of the popular dishes created by top chefs from this part of Sweden some of them named after the hotels where they originated. Will we see an Ice Hotel being crafted alongside Loch Ness Maybe a small serve of Ptarmigan a la Gastis consumed in the vicinity of a log fire Ill just light the barbecue. 2007-11-3 10:30:05 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#16110 Lulea is a small town just outside the Arctic Circle. Its possible to walk round most of the central streets and harbours in 40 minutes. There is an abundance of kebab houses burger joints and some Thai and other oriental restaurants. Home style cooking is a distant dream so it was Thai for me. The spices worked hard to neutralise the effect of the chill wind and keep me warm all the way back to the hotel. It was an early night for me with a copy of Kathy Reichss Cross Bones. She is quickly becoming my favourite author. 2007-11-2 08:12:25 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#16066 Smokie enjoyed a strong opening night in Luleas Kulturens Hus. There was a timely seasonal reminder in the form of a light snowfall which heralds the beginning of some very wintery weather for Sweden. However inside the auditorium it was warm and cosy. The band enjoys some free time today before resuming the concert tour on Friday in Haparanda. Who will be the first to roll a snowball Now is our best chance to see Santa at home. 2007-11-1 08:11:52 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#15860 At first the band seemed fated as our luggage and equipment didnt make the flight to Arhus but we were reunited with it in time for the show at Limfjord Kulturcenter in Skive. The packed show wrapped up a hectic weekend during which we had visited all four Scandinavian countries in three days. The extra hour of sleep on this night as the clocks were turned back for the Autumn was very welcome. Now we take it a little slower by staying in one country for several days that country being Sweden. 2007-10-28 09:05:16 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#15837 The Fun Club aboard the MS Cinderella was full to bursting when Smokie took the stage. So gentle was the cruising speed that it was hard to tell that the ship was moving at all. The crowd was fired up and they were relentless in their show of appreciation. After waking up in Finland we made our way rather more rapidly back to Sweden where we headed for Norway. In Kristiansand the Dark Season Festival became literal as the stage was plunged into darkness for part of the set. This did nothing to detract from the enjoyment of the capacity audience since the show continued regardless. There were amusing attempts to keep light on stage by means of torches and cigarette lighters and a cheer went up as the full rig resumed power. 2007-10-27 08:05:36 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#15775 Its very rarely I have to look forward to the gentle sway of a cruise ship since travel is all about getting there as quickly as possible. However tonight Smokie join a packed and sold out sailing from Stockholm to Mariehamn on the lovely MS Cinderella. This ship was built in Finland in 1989 the year that Boulevard of Broken Dreams went platinum in Norway. A late night is followed unfortunately by an early morning and rapid return to Stockholm so we may connect with our flight to Oslo and Kristiansand and afterwards to Denmark on Saturday where we will be putting our clocks back for a much needed sleep. Who said a musicians life is easy 2007-10-25 08:46:24 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#15693 Its only just over four weeks ago that I compiled a list of features that I would like to put on a website. The site was completed in just a few hours and now I see that there have already been over 1000 visitors. Thanks for calling regularly I shall continue to make it worth visiting by updating the blog and the dates page as well as adding new features whenever possible. Leave a message in the guest book if you wish. I read them all and I keep them all. Best wishes to all Martin 2007-10-22 07:47:00 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#15680 Not even Englands loss of the Rugby World Cup to South Africa could dampen the atmosphere at The Canal Court in Newry. The venue itself hosted a variety of events some of which ultimately adjourned to The Millers Suite where Smokie put the lid on a high octane evening. Now the band prepare for a full Scandinavian tour which starts on Thursday. 2007-10-21 18:30:50 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#15630 There was plenty of atmosphere in the packed Market Place Theatre Armagh where Smokie made a return appearance. The audience were as comfortable listening intently as they were dancing in the aisles and they made their approval very apparent with lengthy applause. And now in the words of a famous Irish melody Its a long way to Tipperary and thats where we went next. Playing at OBs in Kilross was like having a shower with your clothes on. It was enjoyably hot and there were no empty spaces even to the extent that the band had little room to reach the stage. The gig had all the hallmarks of early Smokie country shows in Ireland and the audiences reaction was every bit as boisterous. What a great night and what a pleasure to go back to our roots 2007-10-20 09:29:28 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#15496 For a city that usually takes it easy on a Sunday night Derry had a surprise for Smokie at The Millennium Forum. The audience held nothing back as they danced in the aisles transforming a theatre gig into a rocking live venue. Its a sight I would happily welcome again and after talking to the management it seems the band will be back before too long. 2007-10-15 17:44:53 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#15456 The Carrick Court Hotel Carrickmacross looked unfamiliar until I realised that many years ago it used to be called The Oasis. It was a venue which Smokie played many times in the late 80s and early 90s. Regardless of its new manifestation as a sumptious hotel it had a familiarly large audience turnout. The show is earlier these days 10 p.m. rather than midnight the audience is seated and the PA is crystal clear. Also Smokie have new songs from the past two decades from which to draw material. So much has changed and yet so much remains the same. 2007-10-14 12:25:10 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#15395 In the early morning whenever possible I start with the 108 moves of the Taoist Tai Chi Set a routine which requires quite a bit of space. Thats OK when Im at home where I have extensive paved and decked garden areas but in a hotel room its more of a challenge causing me to more likely tie myself in knots. Couple this with a period of teadrinking teetotalldom and I really ought to be healthy. Will I miss some good parties Yes probably until December but there are so many of them in this business that its possible to skip a few and still feel like youve partied forever. So no alcohol for me for a couple of months but I expect I shall make up for lost time 2007-10-12 08:50:34 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#15309 The venue at Canstatter Wasen in Stuttgart was the ideal place for an endoftour party being a Furstenburg beerswilling tabledancing rowdy funfare joint. Our music stirred up nostalgic memories as well as introducing new material from the last two decades. We move on to Ireland on Saturday where the tour begins in Carrickmacross. 2007-10-10 11:54:06 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#15269 Our first appearance in The Czech Republic was met with unsurpassed euphoria as the packed Cheb Sportovnie Halla reverberated to the noisy cheers of a wild audience happy to finally see Smokie in their country. This is the first of two visits this year and it appears to have set the scene for more engagements in the future. 2007-10-9 09:43:14 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#15200 Another full house and lively audience at The Break Club in Affoltern Switzerland but unfortunately a grafitti artist had gone to work on the tour bus and an urgent departure was delayed while a police report was filed. In spite of time pressure we were able to reach Suhl for our onstage time. The capacity crowd at Suhl CCS were there for a whole night180s entertainment which gave access to 40 bars restaurants and other venues for a night of variety and celebration which had a real Oktoberfest feel about it. The reaction from the 3000strong crowd was overwhelming and the opportunity to talk to many of them after the show meant that an allnight party was inevitable. We move on to The Czech Republic now for our first gig in 24 years. 2007-10-7 09:35:19 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#15119 Theres nothing like sunshine to raise your spirits. Even a dull city looks better under the warm glow of Autumn sun. But this is no dull city it is Pirmasens with its beautiful monuments impressive waterfall and numerous pavement cafes. A great place to rest and restore before our journey to Affoltern in Switzerland. 2007-10-5 08:14:45 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#15087 Jenas FHouse was full by the time Smokie hit the stage. There were many familiar faces in the audience including some who have followed the band since the 1980s as well as a few we havent seen for a while. The city has changed considereably since our last visit around 12 years ago with a delicate mix of ancient and modern. It was good to be back again. Quasimodo in Pirmasens hosted a similarly sweaty scene with an energetic audience. The band are taking a day off and a chance to recharge waning energy before resuming the tour in Switzerland. 2007-10-4 08:52:26 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#15013 A similar audience to last night greeted us at Augsburgs Spectrum Club. It is just one year since we played here and we were given a big welcome on our return. There was a small change in the set which allowed us to reintroduce She rides wild horses from The Nashville Album which was very well received. The tour moves on to Jena a city we havent visited for well over a decade. 2007-10-2 07:56:10 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#14984 If only every touring day was as good as this our experience of life ontheroad would be just about perfect. The journey to Nuremberg was short the scenery in parklands alongside the Silbersee Lake on a sunny Sunday afternoon was stunning and there was a full house waiting for us at Nurembergs Hirsch. Our promoter from Cheb in the Czech Republic happened to be in the audience. He promised us a large audience on Sunday after which press photos were taken for advance publicity. 2007-10-1 13:47:52 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#14934 The first night of the tour started on a high note in a packed house at Krefelds Kulturfabrik. It was obvious from the audiences reaction that they were prepared to give all their energy to the event. It was a moraleboosting first night which sets the tour up very well. Tonight we move on to Regensburg after a 580 km road trip to join Slade and Sweet at the DonauArena before continuing on our own tour. 2007-9-29 08:16:27 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#14879 I am just making final preparations for the Smokie Tour of Germany and the Czech Republic. Because I am travelling from The Highlands my tour effectively starts today when I journey to Aberdeen. Tomorrow I meet up with the rest of the travelling party in Amsterdam before flying to Dusseldorf and joining the tour bus. 2007-9-27 11:34:20 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#14739 The albums listed on this website will be on sale later this year. For practical purposes I am delaying the sales because of touring commitments. If you would be interested in buying any of these albums please post a comment in the guest book or email me and I shall respond when I return from touring. Thank you 2007-9-23 07:58:34 http://www.lochnesscomposer.com/page13.htm#14690 Its barely 6 hours since I started gathering material for this website and now it is looking pretty full. It has been a very easy website to create thanks to Mr Site. I look forward to further enhancing the features and hearing comments from some of my visitors. You may have to be patient for a reply because as you can see from the Tour Dates I shall be busy over the next few weeks. 2007-9-21 15:30:25