THIS MONTH....
There are VIDEOS to watch (kick back, put up your feet and enjoy... Seriously, you’ll like this.)
TAM MCADAM – that US cousin who knows more about the Scottish Press than I do!
STEVE HARLEY and COCKNEY REBEL news.
Congratulations to SUSIE TOWNSON
And congratulations to Perth-based ENTERTAINERS AGENCY
And congratulations to DAVE CAIRNS, just turned 50.
The Amazing X-sail. (Journalists, take note)
A story about WHITBURN
Somebody getting their own back on a tele-salesman.
BIG BILLY and the amazing flying paramotor.
This month’s gigs
Next month’s gig list.
XXX
STEVE HARLEY AND COCKNEY REBEL GIG - EDINBURGH
If you live in Scotland, put THIS in your diary - I meant it. Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel will be performing on Sunday December 3 – that’s THIS Sunday - at the Queen's Hall, Edinburgh. Catching Steve and the boys in action is something you just HAVE to do if you enjoy great music, consummate professionalism, and the thrill of a REAL rock concert. See him perform once: you’re a fan for life. I’d love to meet up with some of you there... I will certainly be in the venue somewhere!
CONGRATULATIONS ALL ROUND TO...
Big, big, big congratulations to SUSIE TOWNSON, TV Commissioning agent supremo, and JONNY who, they reliably inform me, are expecting a baby in April. Fantastic news.
And Congratulations to the fabby (no, NOT "flabby"!) ENTERTAINERS AGENCY. Nominated in 2005 (voted by their clients) for the prestigious "Vow Award", they were the outright winner this year. I’m proud to be associated with you!
Same goes for DAVE CAIRNS - 50 this month. By way of celebration 12 of us went for a curry... Loads of laughs and fun (and Buckfast?). A great night for all... except Dave, who would wake up the next morning with a hangover to realise this cutting-edge, rock-and-roll promoter and all-round born-to-be-wild growler now qualifies for deals from SAGA.
VIDEOS – TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME AND WATCH THESE, PLEASE...
Some of you have already seen a couple of these videos, but for those who haven’t....
(1) For those of you who missed my dismal performance on BBC2’s Ready Steady Cook, you can catch the highlights – and the lowlights – on the internet at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15SSGvG5aSo
(2) Drew McAdam Test Condition performance. Demonstrations that are just a little bit scary. (Thank you for all the wonderful e-mails- this has now been viewed around 600 times. Weird!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv1ty4_UE3w
(3) Uri Geller kindly sent me the promo trailer to his TV show that’s presently running in Israel. The programme has ben a huge success, with one paper reporting: "Reaching some 850,000 viewers (34% rating) at its peak on Saturday night in the 21.00 hour, the studio-based contest show is being hailed by commercial producer and broadcaster Keshet as ‘the most successful series launch in Israel in recent years.’."
I thought this was one of the best promo videos I’ve ever seen. And as one admirer said: "It has all the polish of an expensive car advert." I’ve posted it on YouTube, and you can see it here – make sure you have sound on so you can appreciate the music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK6NMXEDDSQ
(4) At an Inverness gig I was filmed by Steve Mackay’s Red Zebra film unit – with Derek in he editing suite. With a bit of luck I’ll be posting the highlights on YouTube later, but for the moment have a look at this fantastic music Video by Steve at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6ChmYwB9a0
There – you enjoyed that, didn’t you?
NEWS FROM ABROAD
Now, THIS, I really don’t understand. It was after midnight when I decided to check my emails, and there was a missive from Tam McAdam in the good ol’ US. (Tam is a wonderful guy with a razor-sharp wit and a fine line in patter.) He was telling everybody on his mailing list that "Cousin" Drew had a nice slice of PR in the Daily Record. (For those who don’t know, The Daily Record is the main newspaper in Scotland.) Now, here’s the thing... I had picked up the DR in a cafe that day, but only skimmed the first few pages... How come Tam, who is on the other side of the world, knew, and I didn’t? Weird.
(By the way, it was the full centre page, double page spread, with two MASSIVE photographs of my wrinkly coupon.) It’s one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen in my life! Seriously.
A LIFT TO WHITBURN...
At a recent gig for the Institute of Charted Accountants I had the pleasure of meeting one of Scotland’s top solicitors. He told me that he recently gave a lift to a young man who was stranded in Edinburgh; a trip that took him to Whitburn in West Lothian (Where some are born great, some have greatness thrust upon them, and some are still chucking spears at the buses.) On the way to Whitburn the solicitor told the young man that he had been to that very town before, at the beginning of his career, and had attended an interview at local Solicitors, SN*****S. On arriving at the destination, the young man clambered out of the car and asked: "Ye nivir did get that job ye went after, did ye?"
"No, I didn’t."
"Dae ye want me tae pit his windaes in?"
Eeeek!
THIS IS A BLATANT PLUG FOR A GREAT TOY....
The wonderful guys at X-sail have just delivered 7 to Angus Council, for taking out for deprived kids. AND they have told me Tom and Brendy, that is – not the kids – that YOU, as a reader of this newlsetter, can get MASSIVE discount on one!
One what? An X-Sail. "It's not what X-sail IS that's so special, but what X-sail DOES.
X-sail takes you into a world of speed, and high adrenaline, without the need for hours of practice, and in a safe and controlled way. It folds quickly out of its bag at your local car park, playing field or beach, and provides an instant buzz for all members of the family.
Witness 75 year old grannies shrieking gleefully as they overtake their grandkids, and watch as dads and mums go head to head - but most of all watch the enamel come off everyone's teeth as the grins grow ever wider.
STILL don’t know what the Hell it is? Check www.x-sail.com – and remember to forward the web site to Santa with a big hint.
GREAT PRANK
Listen, somebody sent me this and I forwarded it to several people... the response has been amazing. You know these really annoying telephone salespeople that call you at inappropriate moments? Well here’s a recording of some guy REALLY getting his own back! Just follow the link at: http://howtoprankatelemarketer.ytmnd.com
UP, UP AND AWAY...
Some of you may already know that one of my passions in life is flying in general, and paragliding in particular. Me and me ol’ mucker BIG BILLY would often take off into the mountains and leap from cliffs. However, due to pressure of work, and an increasing scardey-cat attitude, I haven’t pursued this particular activity in some time. However, Billy has never ceased or desisted. Indeed, he recently bought himself a paramotor.
So, we found ourselves on the cliffs just south of Dunbar. Billy started up the motor and took off... He just climbed towards the clouds and headed off along the cliff top, and into the distance. What fun. So, thanks to his persuasive abilities, I too am looking to get my hands on one. Lookout - Drew McAdam and his amazing performing propeller: coming to a tree / pylon / rooftop near you.
GIGS THIS MONTH
Had a fantastic little gig at The Prestonfield Hotel, EDINBURGH. I ended up in the kitchens, bending spoons for the staff – always a great place to be! The HARROGATE gig was a belter, with superb sound technicians working behind the scenes to make it all trouble-free for me. The performance took place in a gigantic wrought iron and glass conservatory; part of The Old Swan Inn. The hotel is famous as the retreat of Agatha Christie during her disappearance in 1926, and then as the location for the film 'Agatha' starring Dustin Hoffman and Vanessa Redgrave in 1977. How cool is THAT?
Another of the great gigs this month was at The GLASGOW SCIENCE CENTRE, quickly followed by a cabaret performance at ÒRAN MÓR in Glasgow. A couple of fabulous venues, enhanced by a superb sound and lights team.
Most unusual venue this month has to be LOSSIEMOUTH RAF AIR BASE It was a thoroughly enjoyable gig; which had my pass and permit overstamped "Psychic" Official recognition by the Royal Air Force as a psychic – even emblazoning it on their authorised documentation - has to be worth SOMETHING!
Had a second run up the A9, from Perth up to Inverness for a corporate gig at THE DRUMOSSIE HOTEL. And what a run! Heading over Drumochter, and through Perthshire, the mountains had the first covering of snow, while the trees in the glen were in all their golden autumn finery. Again, the sound and light teams did a fantastic job, and the whole performance was filmed from various points, then treated to Derek’s special skills in the editing suite. I’m looking forward to seeing the outcome. Hey, I may even post parts of it on YouTube if I can work out how to do it again.
.
A few days down south, and a Press and photographer laden performance at a Primary School in KENT – kids LOVE this stuff! A rush back North for a performance at a TAGGARTS Car Showroom in Glasgow, and the unveiling of the brand new Land Rover, Volvo and Jaguar... complete with pyrotechnics. Then there was a truly enjoyable black-tie gig at the very posh WESTERN HOTEL in AYR for the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
As if all that were not enough, I had a wee job to do at the stately pile that is HOPETOUN HOUSE, and where I had the chance to watch The Red Hot Chili Pipers (bagpipes and drums) at work. I LOVE the name of that band! For those who like Irish Celtic music, perhaps we could start the Klu Klux Klannad?
All this was finished off with a gig at the "Fair" CITY OF PERTH Football ground.
Phew – and December is still to come...
Where I will be at, among others:
Cameron House Hotel, Loch Lomond.
BBC Studios, Glasgow,
Forres in Moray (4 gigs)
Cupar, Fife.
Aberdeen
Double-header corporate gig in Edinburgh.
Private function, also in Edinburgh,
And Dunkeld Hilton.
So, next time we speak, it will be next year! Can’t believe that it’s all come round so soon.. What a year it’s been! Faaaantastic!
So, may I take this opportunity to wish you all – each and every one of you – a relaxing, and very peaceful, Festive Season.
And remember: "The Christmas we get, we deserve."
Friday, December 29, 2006
October 2006
Because I meet so many fascinating individuals in my line, it’s impossible to keep in touch with all of you – more’s the pity. This newsletter is my way of doing so. But it’s not much use if you don’t drop me a wee note back to let me know what YOU are up to. So PLEASE do – I really want to know. It’s important to me. Okay?
Thank you.
www.drewmcadam.co.uk
01506 873013
HELLO, LITTLE FELLA’
Well, the big news this month is that I became a grandfather for the EIGHTH time. My daughter, Debbie, gave birth to a baby boy – to be called Billy. (And, no Billy "BB" McMurray, he is NOT named after you!) Hey, at this rate we are going to be able to start our own country!
DREW ON THE TELLY
A huge thank you TO Susie Townson for organising it, and to all of you out there for all the feedback: I had a guest spot on a special spooky edition of Ready Steady Cook on BBC2 this evening. Well done to Nick Nairn who produced six delicious dishes in twenty minutes despite my complete lack of skill, even managing to eject the prongs of the mixer into the bowl by pressing the wrong button, not once but twice. The demonstrations of metal bending and mind reading had to be done in seconds as opposed to my usual minutes; but they worked – just. Great fun!
DUNDEE
So there I was, on a Tuesday evening, at the Dundee Art Centre. The staff members there were insistent that there was no function there that evening. I checked the contract: Correct date. Correct time. Correct venue. I contacted my agent, who contacted the client, who realised he had signed everything for the wrong day. However, he was happy for the gig to go ahead on the proper date – three days later. Unfortunately, I had agreed to do a charity gig that evening. However, the client kindly agreed to make a sizeable donation to The Children’s Hospice Association of Scotland. Thank you – you know who you are.
ON THE TRACK
My very good friend Susan and I took a train trip to Skipton, and then onto an old steam line, where The Railway Children was filmed, and then on to Hayworth (where they filmed the lad-on-a-bike Hovis commercial, and visited the Bronte sisters parsonage. What a marvellous day out.)
CAR STUFF
My old car (two tone: white and rust) has finally had to be "let go" because of the mileage I’m racking up these days. However, the new car has power steering, leather upholstery, cruise control and heated seats; it’s not like driving the old dodgem. How long until I awaken from slumber upside down in a field? That’s the question.
UNLUCKY BREAK
Waaay back in (I think) 1975 I bought a single; Anarchy in the UK by The Sex Pistols on the EMI label, on the morning it was released. However, it had a little kink in the vinyl and I tried to straighten it out, only managing to snap the thing. By lunchtime, when i went to get a replacement copy, they had been withdrawn. As you are no doubt aware the single became a rarity. Well, some kind person informed me this month that a copy went for £10,000 at auction. Aaaargh!
IN THE NEWS
Fantastic coverage this week, with a full-page feature in The Sunday Post along with articles in the TV pages of The Sun, The Daily Record and The Daily Star. Thank you to all of you who spotted them and let me know.
SAD TIMES
Goodbye, Zeus, my old doggy friend. Miss you.
JOHN ARCHER
I attended a great night at the Capital Hotel, Edinburgh, where me old mucker, the inimitable John Archer, was performing. And what a performance. He really is a remarkable entertainer – hilariously funny AND mystifying. If ever you get the chance to see John perform, grab it with both hands.
ARCARI VIDEO
Right. Listen up. A lot of you will know how much I admire guitarist Dave Arcari’s work. His new promotional video is out, and you can see it here. It’s one of the best, most imaginative promo’s I’ve ever seen. So, turn the sound up, and log on to www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPMKWW_Ng7w&mode=related&search=
I think it’s wonderful, and I guarantee, so will you.
WHERE I’VE BEEN AND WHERE I’M GOING
Gigs this month included a private party at the Norton House Hotel, an impromptu bit of nonsense at Cameron House Hotel, on the shore of Loch Lomond, and a great little gig at Fraser Suites in Glasgow. There was a showhouse special in Glenboig – with Colin Mcleod - and then a quick drive through to Edinburgh for a private party and a 40-minute performance.
Next month is looking very busy indeed, including: The Prestonfield Hotel, after dinner astonishment in Harrogate, Yorkshire, Glasgow Science Centre, St Andrews Bay Hotel, RAF Lossiemouth, four days in London and Kent, a car showroom in Motherwell, more after dinner nonsense in Ayr, and St Johnstone Football Club in Perth.
ENDS
Thank you.
www.drewmcadam.co.uk
01506 873013
HELLO, LITTLE FELLA’
Well, the big news this month is that I became a grandfather for the EIGHTH time. My daughter, Debbie, gave birth to a baby boy – to be called Billy. (And, no Billy "BB" McMurray, he is NOT named after you!) Hey, at this rate we are going to be able to start our own country!
DREW ON THE TELLY
A huge thank you TO Susie Townson for organising it, and to all of you out there for all the feedback: I had a guest spot on a special spooky edition of Ready Steady Cook on BBC2 this evening. Well done to Nick Nairn who produced six delicious dishes in twenty minutes despite my complete lack of skill, even managing to eject the prongs of the mixer into the bowl by pressing the wrong button, not once but twice. The demonstrations of metal bending and mind reading had to be done in seconds as opposed to my usual minutes; but they worked – just. Great fun!
DUNDEE
So there I was, on a Tuesday evening, at the Dundee Art Centre. The staff members there were insistent that there was no function there that evening. I checked the contract: Correct date. Correct time. Correct venue. I contacted my agent, who contacted the client, who realised he had signed everything for the wrong day. However, he was happy for the gig to go ahead on the proper date – three days later. Unfortunately, I had agreed to do a charity gig that evening. However, the client kindly agreed to make a sizeable donation to The Children’s Hospice Association of Scotland. Thank you – you know who you are.
ON THE TRACK
My very good friend Susan and I took a train trip to Skipton, and then onto an old steam line, where The Railway Children was filmed, and then on to Hayworth (where they filmed the lad-on-a-bike Hovis commercial, and visited the Bronte sisters parsonage. What a marvellous day out.)
CAR STUFF
My old car (two tone: white and rust) has finally had to be "let go" because of the mileage I’m racking up these days. However, the new car has power steering, leather upholstery, cruise control and heated seats; it’s not like driving the old dodgem. How long until I awaken from slumber upside down in a field? That’s the question.
UNLUCKY BREAK
Waaay back in (I think) 1975 I bought a single; Anarchy in the UK by The Sex Pistols on the EMI label, on the morning it was released. However, it had a little kink in the vinyl and I tried to straighten it out, only managing to snap the thing. By lunchtime, when i went to get a replacement copy, they had been withdrawn. As you are no doubt aware the single became a rarity. Well, some kind person informed me this month that a copy went for £10,000 at auction. Aaaargh!
IN THE NEWS
Fantastic coverage this week, with a full-page feature in The Sunday Post along with articles in the TV pages of The Sun, The Daily Record and The Daily Star. Thank you to all of you who spotted them and let me know.
SAD TIMES
Goodbye, Zeus, my old doggy friend. Miss you.
JOHN ARCHER
I attended a great night at the Capital Hotel, Edinburgh, where me old mucker, the inimitable John Archer, was performing. And what a performance. He really is a remarkable entertainer – hilariously funny AND mystifying. If ever you get the chance to see John perform, grab it with both hands.
ARCARI VIDEO
Right. Listen up. A lot of you will know how much I admire guitarist Dave Arcari’s work. His new promotional video is out, and you can see it here. It’s one of the best, most imaginative promo’s I’ve ever seen. So, turn the sound up, and log on to www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPMKWW_Ng7w&mode=related&search=
I think it’s wonderful, and I guarantee, so will you.
WHERE I’VE BEEN AND WHERE I’M GOING
Gigs this month included a private party at the Norton House Hotel, an impromptu bit of nonsense at Cameron House Hotel, on the shore of Loch Lomond, and a great little gig at Fraser Suites in Glasgow. There was a showhouse special in Glenboig – with Colin Mcleod - and then a quick drive through to Edinburgh for a private party and a 40-minute performance.
Next month is looking very busy indeed, including: The Prestonfield Hotel, after dinner astonishment in Harrogate, Yorkshire, Glasgow Science Centre, St Andrews Bay Hotel, RAF Lossiemouth, four days in London and Kent, a car showroom in Motherwell, more after dinner nonsense in Ayr, and St Johnstone Football Club in Perth.
ENDS
September 2006
HERE ARE THE QUICK DETAILS – for those who don’t have the time or energy to read the whole thing...
(1) Been there, done that, and got the apron: took a trip to London and filmed a guest spot on READY STEADY COOK, complete with spoon bending and mind reading... How cool is THAT? Wooohooo! It’s scheduled to be broadcast on Halloween, 4.30pm BBC2, but that COULD change.
(2) Caught the films THE WICKER MAN and THE QUEEN (No sign of Freddie Mercury, though!).
(3) A TRUE Ghost Story – this is seriously spooky!
(3) Missed out on the chance of a six-day, two-gig trip to SOUTH AFRICA.
(4) Visited GLAMIS CASTLE,
(5) Had a gig at ARMIT HOUSE near SCOTLANDWELL in Fife, and made a LOT of enemies during my return journey.
(6) Was back for my annual table-hopping performance at the MOUNT ROYAL HOTEL, where I met up with JOHN LESLIE.
(7) Also had a great lark around with good friend PAUL JOHNSON, and star of LES MISERABLES, JEFF LEIGHTON.
(8) There was a gig at DALHOUSIE CASTLE, and another at SAINT ANDREWS BAY HOTEL, where I had my photograph taken with SHIRLEY BASSEY... well, almost. (Congratulations, by the way to "Tricky" Ricky McLeod: ten years of performing at The Sick Kids and at the children’s Hospice, Rachel House.)
(9) And another gig at KELVINGROVE ART GALLERY where I met SEAN CONNERY... well almoshsht.
(10) Had a full page, two-picture feature in THE SUNDAY POST.
(11) I was also back for another wee gig at OXENFOORD CASTLE...
(12) ...a day-off visit to STIRLING CASTLE and a surprise with the curator.
(13) My very good friend, and top mentalist/lecturer, IAN ROWLAND came North of the Border this month
(14) And I managed to meet up with Ace guitarist and all-round good egg) GORDON GILTRAP.
(15) Oh, and my appearance on Ready, Steady Cook is scheduled to be shown on Halloween, though that may change and I won’t know until one week before transmission date... but that’s what they are planning at the moment. On another note, there should be features in The Lothian Courier and The Daily Record at some time in the coming couple of weeks.
WANT THE STORIES IN MORE DETAIL? Okay, here we go...
READY, STEADY... MAKE A COMPLETE BURKE OF YOURSELF...
I had a tremendous day at the Ready Steady Cook studios (Thank you Susie Townson, Queen of TV Agents, for organising that!) Okay, now look, I’m no cook. And had it been left to me the poor chef would have had a bag of crisps, a Variety pack of Coco Pops and a Curly Wurly to work with. Fortunately, they were aware that I don’t cook. I was paired (Green Peppers rule!) with Chef Nick Nairn – a wonderful, funny, helpful guy. (Oddly, it wasn’t until i returned that my agent, Douglas, reminded me that I had met him before.)The other guest (Red Tomato hang your head in shame!) was Tom Lyon.
Tom is a young, and very talented, escapologist. Now, to him this was old hat (Tom has been on Blue Peter, Ant and Dec, Richard and Judy... the list goes on.) So, Tom, I hope you missed the moment when I tried to turn on the electric mixer and jettisoned the prongs into the bowl... twice! I had the opportunity to try a mind-reading experiment with Ainsley Harriet, and bent one of the kitchen spoons. According to Tom – I wouldn’t admit to this – it was the voting from the studio audience was the biggest landslide yet... I am now being accused of subliminally interfering with the audience members. (That doesn’t sound right, does it?)
CINEMA
Went to the cinema to see The Wicker Man with my good friend Susan. In my opinion, the new one doesn’t hold a flickering candle flame (pun intended) to the old one, which scared the little Y-fronts right off me. And still does. But that’s just my opinion.
FUNNY, FUNNY, FUNNY
If you’ve got broadband, and you haven’t heard of OK GO, then do yourself a favour and click on the link below to watch the treadmill dance. I LOVE it, and it’s no surprise that it’s fast becoming the most downloaded clip in Internet History.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI
SERIOUSLY SPOOKY.
Had to deal with a seriously spooked out Colin McLeod this month. Now, look, you have my absolute word that Colin is sane, sensible – and a darned good mind reader, too. He’s not the kind of guy to make things up, and he was seriously shocked by the following incident. He was driving onto the M8 at the Livingston Interchange one evening this month. It WAS dark, and it WAS raining, but the area has good street lighting. He checked his rear-view mirror to make sure there was nothing behind him, and there, in the back seat, was a young boy. The lad was looking out of the window, and slowly turned his head to meet Colin’s gaze. Colin got such a fright that he pulled over. His mother looks after children at their house, so in a panic he assumed that one of the kids had somehow managed to climb into the back of his car while it was parked outside... but when he checked... there was nobody there.
Yeah, spooked me, too. But not as much as it spooked poor Colin!
CLASH OF THE DATES
Darn and Dash. Usually, things just work out beautifully in my diary. However, this month I had a gig in my diary for a client who had specifically asked for me, and the contracts were duly signed. Out of the blue, another agent phoned offering a prestige job which – because an agreement is an agreement – I couldn’t take. A five-day tip, with two gigs, to Johannesburg, South Africa. Aaaargh! Instead, I had to fix a smile on my face and do the small gig just outside Edinburgh. (Mind you it WAS a great gig, and a LOT of fun.)
CAUGHT IN THE BEAM
Had a gig at ARMIT HOUSE near SCOTLANDWELL in Fife. It was a small, intimate affair and I left feeling jolly pleased with myself. However, on the return journey, my car headlights managed to get stuck on main beam. Boy, the journey back that night was no pleasure – and yelling "The lights are stuck... sorry!" from the window as you hurtle along the motorway doesn’t appease anybody! I made a LOT of enemies during my return journey.
FIREWORKS
Every year, at the end of the Edinburgh Festival, thousands of people flood into princes Street for the big firework display and classical music concert at The Castle – it really is a spectacle worth catching. So once again this year I was ensconced in The Mount Royal Hotel. Bend a few spoons. Read a few minds. Then enjoy the firework display over Edinburgh Castle in comfort. Seems fair!
UP YER KILT
My very good friend Paul Johnson turned up in my village – well, not MY village, but you know what I mean – TWICE this month. He was being fitted for a kilt at the local kilt shop (best in the country, thoroughly recommended: MacDonald’s in West Calder.) To my very real delight he was in the company of somebody I hadn’t seen in over ten years. Jeff Leighton, who played the lead, Jean Valjean, in Les Miserables, and has – as you will know if you caught the production – the most incredible singing voice you’re likely to hear this side of heaven. The serious fitting of the kilt aside, we had a great time back at my house, and in the village cafe. The place is never going to be the same after these two jokers have left their mark. Thanks, guys, big laugh, and a great break from the humdrum monotony (No, REALLY!)
BURLY CHASSIS and 007
Other gigs this month included Dalhousie Castle, and another at the very posh St Andrews Bay Hotel (where I had the great pleasure of sharing the revellers’ attention with top magician Ricky McLeod.) Both of us were a backstage at one point and Shirley Bassey was there.. well, a look-alike, okay? I thought she looked great, but Ricky was either so gobsmacked, or being his usual funny self, that he said: "Hi, Tina!". Personally, I don’t know how he got away with THAT one!
A couple of days later, at The Kelvingrove Art Gallery, the band struck up with the James Bond theme, and who walks in, large as life, but Sean Connery... well, a look-alike, okay?
I just HAD to get my photograph of the two of us, with the ubiquitous bent spoon, for the album, I hope he treasures it!
CASTLE
I was also back for a gig at OXENFOORD CASTLE. What a venue. A beautiful, remote, ancestral pile. But, interesting for me because my friend Ian Grindlay keeps his helicopters there, in the grounds. (I "broke" one of them one, and I don’t think he’s ever forgiven me – long story. Mind you, he dropped one straight out the sky a couple of years back, and it was decided that he should be moved by air ambulance. As they loaded him into the chopper he could be heard complaining; "I just crashed in one of these ***** things, and you’re putting me into another one!?".
ANOTHER CASTLE
Historic Scotland had a day of magic at Stirling castle. It was an opportunity to meet up with some of the performers whom I’ve know for a few years (NB I like magic, bit I am NOT a magician. Okay?) Performers included Mark Fiskin, Jay Scott Berry and Ali Bongo (Ali was proudly wearing his kilt: his real name is William Wallace: "You can take my life, but you’ll never take my... SPONGE BALLS!") However, the thing that gave me the greatest pleasure was when on of the custodians recognised me from a performance at the castle a few weeks ago, and proudly informed me that he still has the spoon I bent for him. Wow! Things like that really gladden the heart!
CHOMP AND CHAT
My very good friend, and top mentalist/lecturer, IAN ROWLAND came North of the Border this month for a lecture in Glasgow. (Which was very brave of him considering the number of derogatory comments he’s made about Scotland. Still, he’s discovered Laphroig Malt Whisky and has been photographed in a kilt, so he’s learning his place!) It was a great chance for Colin McLeod and me to catch up with him, have a bite to eat, and blather about our dark, deceptive art. Always a pleasure, my friend!
GORDON ON GUITAR
This month was also a chance to meet up with Ace guitarist and all-round good egg, GORDON GILTRAP and his delightful wife, HILARY. Two of the nicest people on the planet. He’s coming back next year – with gigs in Glasgow and Edinburgh. I’ll flag it up in the newsletter before it happens. If you want to hear guitar playing like you’ve never heard it before, and be treated to a great night of entertainment, do yourself a favour and get along!
ONE FOR THE DIARIES IF YOU WANT TO SEE ME MAKE A TWIT OF MYSELF ON TV...
Oh, and my appearance on Ready, Steady Cook is scheduled to be shown on Halloween, though that may change and I won’t know until one week before transmission date... but that’s what they are planning at the moment. On another note, there should be features in The Lothian Courier and The Daily Record at some time in the coming couple of weeks.
And for those of you who made it right to the end... Here are some GREAT TRUTHS KIDS HAVE LEARNED:
No matter how hard you try, you can't baptise cats.
When your Mum is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
If your sister hits you, don't hit her back - they always catch the second person.
Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap.
AND SOME GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD:
At age 4 success is . . . not piddling in your pants.
At age 12 success is . . . having friends.
At age 17 success is . . having a drivers licence.
At age 35 success is . . having money.
At age 50 success is . . . having money.
At age 70 success is . .. . having a drivers licence.
At age 80 success is . . . having friends.
At age 90 success is . . . not piddling in your pants.
THANKS FOR GETTING THIS FAR. That’s what I’VE been up to, but PLEASE the purpose of this mewsletter is so that I can keep in touch. It means a lot when you hit "reply" and let me know what’s going on in YOUR life. So, please, take the time and drop me a line. That means YOU!
ENDS
(1) Been there, done that, and got the apron: took a trip to London and filmed a guest spot on READY STEADY COOK, complete with spoon bending and mind reading... How cool is THAT? Wooohooo! It’s scheduled to be broadcast on Halloween, 4.30pm BBC2, but that COULD change.
(2) Caught the films THE WICKER MAN and THE QUEEN (No sign of Freddie Mercury, though!).
(3) A TRUE Ghost Story – this is seriously spooky!
(3) Missed out on the chance of a six-day, two-gig trip to SOUTH AFRICA.
(4) Visited GLAMIS CASTLE,
(5) Had a gig at ARMIT HOUSE near SCOTLANDWELL in Fife, and made a LOT of enemies during my return journey.
(6) Was back for my annual table-hopping performance at the MOUNT ROYAL HOTEL, where I met up with JOHN LESLIE.
(7) Also had a great lark around with good friend PAUL JOHNSON, and star of LES MISERABLES, JEFF LEIGHTON.
(8) There was a gig at DALHOUSIE CASTLE, and another at SAINT ANDREWS BAY HOTEL, where I had my photograph taken with SHIRLEY BASSEY... well, almost. (Congratulations, by the way to "Tricky" Ricky McLeod: ten years of performing at The Sick Kids and at the children’s Hospice, Rachel House.)
(9) And another gig at KELVINGROVE ART GALLERY where I met SEAN CONNERY... well almoshsht.
(10) Had a full page, two-picture feature in THE SUNDAY POST.
(11) I was also back for another wee gig at OXENFOORD CASTLE...
(12) ...a day-off visit to STIRLING CASTLE and a surprise with the curator.
(13) My very good friend, and top mentalist/lecturer, IAN ROWLAND came North of the Border this month
(14) And I managed to meet up with Ace guitarist and all-round good egg) GORDON GILTRAP.
(15) Oh, and my appearance on Ready, Steady Cook is scheduled to be shown on Halloween, though that may change and I won’t know until one week before transmission date... but that’s what they are planning at the moment. On another note, there should be features in The Lothian Courier and The Daily Record at some time in the coming couple of weeks.
WANT THE STORIES IN MORE DETAIL? Okay, here we go...
READY, STEADY... MAKE A COMPLETE BURKE OF YOURSELF...
I had a tremendous day at the Ready Steady Cook studios (Thank you Susie Townson, Queen of TV Agents, for organising that!) Okay, now look, I’m no cook. And had it been left to me the poor chef would have had a bag of crisps, a Variety pack of Coco Pops and a Curly Wurly to work with. Fortunately, they were aware that I don’t cook. I was paired (Green Peppers rule!) with Chef Nick Nairn – a wonderful, funny, helpful guy. (Oddly, it wasn’t until i returned that my agent, Douglas, reminded me that I had met him before.)The other guest (Red Tomato hang your head in shame!) was Tom Lyon.
Tom is a young, and very talented, escapologist. Now, to him this was old hat (Tom has been on Blue Peter, Ant and Dec, Richard and Judy... the list goes on.) So, Tom, I hope you missed the moment when I tried to turn on the electric mixer and jettisoned the prongs into the bowl... twice! I had the opportunity to try a mind-reading experiment with Ainsley Harriet, and bent one of the kitchen spoons. According to Tom – I wouldn’t admit to this – it was the voting from the studio audience was the biggest landslide yet... I am now being accused of subliminally interfering with the audience members. (That doesn’t sound right, does it?)
CINEMA
Went to the cinema to see The Wicker Man with my good friend Susan. In my opinion, the new one doesn’t hold a flickering candle flame (pun intended) to the old one, which scared the little Y-fronts right off me. And still does. But that’s just my opinion.
FUNNY, FUNNY, FUNNY
If you’ve got broadband, and you haven’t heard of OK GO, then do yourself a favour and click on the link below to watch the treadmill dance. I LOVE it, and it’s no surprise that it’s fast becoming the most downloaded clip in Internet History.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI
SERIOUSLY SPOOKY.
Had to deal with a seriously spooked out Colin McLeod this month. Now, look, you have my absolute word that Colin is sane, sensible – and a darned good mind reader, too. He’s not the kind of guy to make things up, and he was seriously shocked by the following incident. He was driving onto the M8 at the Livingston Interchange one evening this month. It WAS dark, and it WAS raining, but the area has good street lighting. He checked his rear-view mirror to make sure there was nothing behind him, and there, in the back seat, was a young boy. The lad was looking out of the window, and slowly turned his head to meet Colin’s gaze. Colin got such a fright that he pulled over. His mother looks after children at their house, so in a panic he assumed that one of the kids had somehow managed to climb into the back of his car while it was parked outside... but when he checked... there was nobody there.
Yeah, spooked me, too. But not as much as it spooked poor Colin!
CLASH OF THE DATES
Darn and Dash. Usually, things just work out beautifully in my diary. However, this month I had a gig in my diary for a client who had specifically asked for me, and the contracts were duly signed. Out of the blue, another agent phoned offering a prestige job which – because an agreement is an agreement – I couldn’t take. A five-day tip, with two gigs, to Johannesburg, South Africa. Aaaargh! Instead, I had to fix a smile on my face and do the small gig just outside Edinburgh. (Mind you it WAS a great gig, and a LOT of fun.)
CAUGHT IN THE BEAM
Had a gig at ARMIT HOUSE near SCOTLANDWELL in Fife. It was a small, intimate affair and I left feeling jolly pleased with myself. However, on the return journey, my car headlights managed to get stuck on main beam. Boy, the journey back that night was no pleasure – and yelling "The lights are stuck... sorry!" from the window as you hurtle along the motorway doesn’t appease anybody! I made a LOT of enemies during my return journey.
FIREWORKS
Every year, at the end of the Edinburgh Festival, thousands of people flood into princes Street for the big firework display and classical music concert at The Castle – it really is a spectacle worth catching. So once again this year I was ensconced in The Mount Royal Hotel. Bend a few spoons. Read a few minds. Then enjoy the firework display over Edinburgh Castle in comfort. Seems fair!
UP YER KILT
My very good friend Paul Johnson turned up in my village – well, not MY village, but you know what I mean – TWICE this month. He was being fitted for a kilt at the local kilt shop (best in the country, thoroughly recommended: MacDonald’s in West Calder.) To my very real delight he was in the company of somebody I hadn’t seen in over ten years. Jeff Leighton, who played the lead, Jean Valjean, in Les Miserables, and has – as you will know if you caught the production – the most incredible singing voice you’re likely to hear this side of heaven. The serious fitting of the kilt aside, we had a great time back at my house, and in the village cafe. The place is never going to be the same after these two jokers have left their mark. Thanks, guys, big laugh, and a great break from the humdrum monotony (No, REALLY!)
BURLY CHASSIS and 007
Other gigs this month included Dalhousie Castle, and another at the very posh St Andrews Bay Hotel (where I had the great pleasure of sharing the revellers’ attention with top magician Ricky McLeod.) Both of us were a backstage at one point and Shirley Bassey was there.. well, a look-alike, okay? I thought she looked great, but Ricky was either so gobsmacked, or being his usual funny self, that he said: "Hi, Tina!". Personally, I don’t know how he got away with THAT one!
A couple of days later, at The Kelvingrove Art Gallery, the band struck up with the James Bond theme, and who walks in, large as life, but Sean Connery... well, a look-alike, okay?
I just HAD to get my photograph of the two of us, with the ubiquitous bent spoon, for the album, I hope he treasures it!
CASTLE
I was also back for a gig at OXENFOORD CASTLE. What a venue. A beautiful, remote, ancestral pile. But, interesting for me because my friend Ian Grindlay keeps his helicopters there, in the grounds. (I "broke" one of them one, and I don’t think he’s ever forgiven me – long story. Mind you, he dropped one straight out the sky a couple of years back, and it was decided that he should be moved by air ambulance. As they loaded him into the chopper he could be heard complaining; "I just crashed in one of these ***** things, and you’re putting me into another one!?".
ANOTHER CASTLE
Historic Scotland had a day of magic at Stirling castle. It was an opportunity to meet up with some of the performers whom I’ve know for a few years (NB I like magic, bit I am NOT a magician. Okay?) Performers included Mark Fiskin, Jay Scott Berry and Ali Bongo (Ali was proudly wearing his kilt: his real name is William Wallace: "You can take my life, but you’ll never take my... SPONGE BALLS!") However, the thing that gave me the greatest pleasure was when on of the custodians recognised me from a performance at the castle a few weeks ago, and proudly informed me that he still has the spoon I bent for him. Wow! Things like that really gladden the heart!
CHOMP AND CHAT
My very good friend, and top mentalist/lecturer, IAN ROWLAND came North of the Border this month for a lecture in Glasgow. (Which was very brave of him considering the number of derogatory comments he’s made about Scotland. Still, he’s discovered Laphroig Malt Whisky and has been photographed in a kilt, so he’s learning his place!) It was a great chance for Colin McLeod and me to catch up with him, have a bite to eat, and blather about our dark, deceptive art. Always a pleasure, my friend!
GORDON ON GUITAR
This month was also a chance to meet up with Ace guitarist and all-round good egg, GORDON GILTRAP and his delightful wife, HILARY. Two of the nicest people on the planet. He’s coming back next year – with gigs in Glasgow and Edinburgh. I’ll flag it up in the newsletter before it happens. If you want to hear guitar playing like you’ve never heard it before, and be treated to a great night of entertainment, do yourself a favour and get along!
ONE FOR THE DIARIES IF YOU WANT TO SEE ME MAKE A TWIT OF MYSELF ON TV...
Oh, and my appearance on Ready, Steady Cook is scheduled to be shown on Halloween, though that may change and I won’t know until one week before transmission date... but that’s what they are planning at the moment. On another note, there should be features in The Lothian Courier and The Daily Record at some time in the coming couple of weeks.
And for those of you who made it right to the end... Here are some GREAT TRUTHS KIDS HAVE LEARNED:
No matter how hard you try, you can't baptise cats.
When your Mum is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
If your sister hits you, don't hit her back - they always catch the second person.
Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap.
AND SOME GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD:
At age 4 success is . . . not piddling in your pants.
At age 12 success is . . . having friends.
At age 17 success is . . having a drivers licence.
At age 35 success is . . having money.
At age 50 success is . . . having money.
At age 70 success is . .. . having a drivers licence.
At age 80 success is . . . having friends.
At age 90 success is . . . not piddling in your pants.
THANKS FOR GETTING THIS FAR. That’s what I’VE been up to, but PLEASE the purpose of this mewsletter is so that I can keep in touch. It means a lot when you hit "reply" and let me know what’s going on in YOUR life. So, please, take the time and drop me a line. That means YOU!
ENDS
August 2006
MEET YOURSELF IN THIS MONTH’S NEWSLETTER:
- PAUL ZENON
- JOHN G ROBERTS
- BERTIE AULD
- BERNARD GALLAGHER
- RANGERS AND CELTIC... whoever you might be!
- DOUGLAS AND FIONA (www.entertainersagency.com)
- GORDON GILTRAP
- CHRIS COX
- DAVE ARCARI
- DANA AND DAVE DIXON
- HORSE MCDONALD
- JAMES LASCELLES
- JOE KELLY
Madcap Magician (and Television’s Mr Television – Ha!) Paul Zenon asked me to promote this; and it’s well worth it... but there’s not a lot of time (The gig is Monday 4th September. Eh, today, for most of you!) So, if you live in the London area, here is a gig which MUST NOT be missed. For several reasons.
The gig is at the London Comedy Store on Monday 4th September at 8pm.... But first, the background: "TV trickster Paul Zenon decided to set up The Wonderbus, with the intention of providing older folk with a bit of fun and companionship. Getting the show on the road, The Wonderbus will take live entertainment to older people in homes and sheltered housing, or take them out on trips to see live entertainment, giving them a good old-fashioned day out to remember. Retired performers will be persuaded to get their gladrags out of mothballs and new kids on the block given a chance to gain valuable performing experience. Everyone involved should benefit from an increasingly rare instance of genuine interaction between the generations. The long-term aim is to customise a coach so that the vehicle itself can also be used as a mobile venue."The Wonderbus will have no hidden administration costs and all performers will be donating their services free of charge so that all funds raised can be used directly and tangibly - The Wonderbus will do exactly what it says on the bodywork. The starter's flag will be raised with Paul Zenon's Grey Matter - a Colourful Evening of Comedy at the London Comedy Store on Monday 4th September at 8pm, with special guests including Stewart Lee and Lucy Porter. Tickets are £15, (£12 concessions), from www.ticketmaster.co.uk 0870 060 2340 or the venue www.thecomedystore.co.uk, with proceeds going to The Wonderbus. Enquiries, press, help or donations: admin@paulzenon.com "
SUNDAY POST.
Live in Scotland? Well then you’ll know The Sunday Post. For years this newspaper has had a stranglehold on national circulation, and they have kindly completed a juicy feature / profile piece about my activities which SHOULD be out this coming Sunday (complete with daft photograph, no doubt!). If it’s not in the shops on the 10th, then it’ll be out the following Sunday.
"A over T"
For those of you who have been in my offices, you’ll know that it’s a two-storey affair, with all the toys and fun-stuff downstairs, and the nerve-centre / command room upstairs. So, there I was, in front of the computer, in my big, leather, IVI (I’m Very Important) chair... rubbing a spoon and willing it to bend (Hey, we all have to practice, you know!) I was suddenly aware that my chair felt unstable. Leaning over the arm to take a closer look, yes... it seemed that one of the solid steel and chrome legs was actually bending! I leaned a bit further to get a better view. YES! It was definitely bending... and SNAP! This was followed by a spectacular backward somersault as the whole thing tipped over. I SWEAR I saw the reflection of the soles of my shoes in the monitor as I vanished backwards.
It was only by an amazing turn of fortune that I didn’t actually continue my journey head-over-heels down the stairs! Metal-bending? Enough!
GIGS
I had a cracking gig at York racecourse this month for a multi-national insurance company, and had the pleasure of spending some of my time in the company of a FANTASTIC (white-hatted) caricaturist. His name is John G Roberts, and you can check out his web site (please do) at www.mad-badger.com
Another gig was an after-dinner speech (and after-dinner-astonishment) in Perth for St Johnston FC Business Club. What a lovely bunch of blokes. There were some famous footballers there (knowing nothing aboot fitba’, Ah dinna ken any o’ them!) But I DID know ex-cop and fellow speaker John McKelvie, with whom I have had the pleasure of working before. Funny, funny guy.
Other gigs included (1) a Rangers / Celtic charity golf competition - DIDN’T know who Bertie Auld was – shame on me. (2) Bathgate Golf Club (DID know who Bernie Gallagher was). (3) Aberdeen FC gig – with the players and managers present: didn’t know who ANY of them were.
(4) Aberdeen. Dunkeld Hilton – knew who Douglas and Fiona were (hello, and thanks for the fantastic malt whisky!). (5) Stirling – nobody knew who the Hell I was. (6 and 7) And two fantastic gigs at Pitcastle House near Bonnie Aberfeldy. God’s Own Country. (Oh, and it was a very real pleasure to meet with Joe Kelly, Editor in Chief with Scottish Universal Newspapers.)
You know, thinking about it for a moment: all those places and all those people... this is WORK?!
GUITAR GILTRAP
Okay, now pay attention. Many of you will know that I am a huge fan, and good friend, of top guitarist Gordon Giltrap, ever since I reviewed him at the Edinburgh Festival. Now, Gordon doesn’t stray North of the Border too often, so for all my fellow Scots out there, here is your chance to see a guitar being played like you’ve never seen before, AND meet a genuinely lovely bloke. Gordon is doing 5 nights at The Beinn Inn in Fife (a real Mecca for music fans. Want to see Keith Richard’s guitar? Or me old mucca’ John Martyn’s special seat? That’s where they - and a hundred other slices of music history, resides!) So, DO take a jaunt up the M90 – between Wednesday 20th to Sunday 24th September. (GREAT food, too!) He is also, strangely enough, putting in an appearance at the New Winton Village Hall (just outside Tranent) on the 25th. And for the REAL aficionados, here’s a chance not to be missed... Gordon is doing a workshop every afternoon. Look, if you even just LIKE guitar music... catch Gordon. Couldn’t be clearer really, could it?
EDINBURGH
The Edinburgh Festival was a busy time for me; but for all the wrong reasons. But what a GREAT excuse to meet friends, old and new. Watched Chris Cox's excellent mindreading show, then had a coffee afterwards. DIDN'T get to meet up with Paul Zenon – he was heading North: I was heading South. Also had a wonderful day when I caught a gig with Dave Arcari of the Radiotones (those who celebrated my birthday recently will remember him and his amazing National Steel Guitar.) AND, delightfully, Dana and Dave of the outstanding Dana Dixon Band turned up just for the Hell of it.
All that would have been good enough. But purely by chance, while wandering down Victoria Street, who should I bump into but the amazing James Lascelles. What a delight it was to spend a couple of hours in his company, just chatting and downing cups of coffee. There is SO much I could tell you about this amazing individual – let alone the fact that he plays keyboard and percussion with Cockney Rebel. I mean, in the course of our discussion it emerged that he has played with Frank Zappa! And, believe me, that’s only HALF of the story! James – amazing... or as your boss says: Any Time!
HORSE AND THE USA
Oh, and on the subject of music. Got a nice e-mail from Horse McDonald who, at the time of writing, has a new album out and is signing a deal with a US label. Whooppeeeee! Well done, girl!
NEXT MONTH
...shaping up nicely with, among others:
Amit House. Mount Royal. Dalhousie Castle. Dalmahoy Hotel. James Bond theme night. Kelvingrove Gallery. Oxenford Castle... and filming for Ready, Steady, Cook. God help them!
See you all next month. Till then, remember: any day spent above ground, is a good one!
ENDS
July 2006
Somebody once said that you should never start with an apology... I’m sorry that this newsletter, which has for many years gone out on the first of every month, is late. This is a reflection on just how busy I have been... sort of.
Due to a break in the sun, a wedding, a wedding reception and the usual rash of gigs, life has been unbelievably hectic since my return. You know how it is: two weeks to get a month’s work done, and only hours when you need days to complete projects. It’s fun to be busy, though, isn’t it?
The first half of the month was spent in the West Indies – on St Lucia, to be exact. My son, Andrew, and his beautiful fiancée, Elaine, decided that it was the perfect place to be married. And so 19 of us made the trip to Paradise. (In my case, this was a return trip after being there in December, so I knew what to expect: Sand. Sea. And sunshine.) Although much of the time was spent soaking up the sunshine between short, sharp Tropical downpours, I had a great deal of fun with the local rastafarians. They may look a bit scary, but what wonderful, spiritual people they are. New friends include Malachi, Bernard, and "bead seller" Do a Deal Derek – a sort of Rasta Del Boy. When not lazing, I was out snorkelling and sailing. Yes, it was hot, and back in the UK you were all sizzling, too!
xxx
Many of you may have heard that while appearing at the Tricycle Theatre in London, Brother Marc Salem became momentarily distracted while doing his new Knife Roulette, and managed to stab his hand. Good news is, he was not badly hurt, he garnered a LOT of publicity, and his show was an absolute smash with the critics and public alike – as always. Well done, my friend.
xxx
And that’s it. Yes, that’s it! Gigs for August and September have been POURING in, and I have a few projects in the pipeline, of which there will be more over the coming months – including an appearance on Ready Steady Cook. How much fun is THAT going to be?
One particular project about which I am becoming increasingly excited – but can’t talk about yet – is a project dreamed up by Uri Geller. It’s a cracker, so watch this space!
In the meantime, enjoy the rest of the summer and I’ll speak soon!
Best wishes,
Drew
Due to a break in the sun, a wedding, a wedding reception and the usual rash of gigs, life has been unbelievably hectic since my return. You know how it is: two weeks to get a month’s work done, and only hours when you need days to complete projects. It’s fun to be busy, though, isn’t it?
The first half of the month was spent in the West Indies – on St Lucia, to be exact. My son, Andrew, and his beautiful fiancée, Elaine, decided that it was the perfect place to be married. And so 19 of us made the trip to Paradise. (In my case, this was a return trip after being there in December, so I knew what to expect: Sand. Sea. And sunshine.) Although much of the time was spent soaking up the sunshine between short, sharp Tropical downpours, I had a great deal of fun with the local rastafarians. They may look a bit scary, but what wonderful, spiritual people they are. New friends include Malachi, Bernard, and "bead seller" Do a Deal Derek – a sort of Rasta Del Boy. When not lazing, I was out snorkelling and sailing. Yes, it was hot, and back in the UK you were all sizzling, too!
xxx
Many of you may have heard that while appearing at the Tricycle Theatre in London, Brother Marc Salem became momentarily distracted while doing his new Knife Roulette, and managed to stab his hand. Good news is, he was not badly hurt, he garnered a LOT of publicity, and his show was an absolute smash with the critics and public alike – as always. Well done, my friend.
xxx
And that’s it. Yes, that’s it! Gigs for August and September have been POURING in, and I have a few projects in the pipeline, of which there will be more over the coming months – including an appearance on Ready Steady Cook. How much fun is THAT going to be?
One particular project about which I am becoming increasingly excited – but can’t talk about yet – is a project dreamed up by Uri Geller. It’s a cracker, so watch this space!
In the meantime, enjoy the rest of the summer and I’ll speak soon!
Best wishes,
Drew
June 2006
June 2006 Newsletter
BIG surprise. This month I turned 51 (I know, I can’t believe it myself!) and some good friends organised a party. There was a hilarious video tribute – and I use the word loosely – from a trouser-less top TV magician Paul Zenon. There was a great video from Marc Salem, Tova and their dog Sammy. Additionally, some that were not able to make it because of distance and touring commitments, sent various tributes and so on. I was really touched.
However, I really want to take this opportunity to thank everybody who made it along (and those who tried but failed), with special mention to Dave Arcari – who played a blistering blues number and won himself a new group of fans. Thanks, Dave, it meant a lot. Colin McLeod offered his own special brand of mindreading entertainment, and Gary James who was SUPPOSED to be enjoying a night off, but was asked as a special favour to do just ONE magic trick at the table for Pat Quinn, ended up delighting and enthralling everybody for half the night! Gary. Colin and Dave – thanks lads. Oh, and to the charming Len Murray... (Once described by a High Court Judge as the most respected pleader of his generation) how come all the girls love YOU?
XXX
A great deal was made of the release of The Omen on June 6. (The date is 06/06/06 – get it?) However, I much prefer this number. -0.80902 -- The Sine of the Beast
XXX
Few of you will know this, but one of the greatest mindreaders of the 1940’s was a guy called Dunninger. His US radio-based show regularly pulled in millions of listeners, and his voice was as recognised by the public as the then-President of the US. Well, American mindreader Joe Atmore had a stage show in Vegas in which he recreated the radio shows, as performed by the master. For some reason, Joe took it into his head to bring the show to London, and what a triumph it was! I had the pleasure of being there, and having a pre-show drink / meal/ drink/ laugh / pizza / drink with the cast; a group that included such luminaries as David Berglas, Marc Paul and Ian Rowland. I was accompanied by rising star in the mentalism field, Colin McLeod. And, just for posterity, I filmed the whole show. The perfect end to a perfect evening, Anthony Owen took Marc, Joe, Colin and myself to his club for a 40’s style drink and mindreading chat.
I had a ball... And if you want to come to my house to see the film of the show - and history recreated – then buy a ticket! (Just kiddin’ Joe!)
XXX
Some good gigs this month (thank you to my agents – you know who you are!) The gigs included Balmoral (The Hotel), Glamis (The Castle). A seance recreation (spooky, spooky, spooky!) The Waterside Hotel in Peterhead. Stirling (The castle) and the Menzies Hotel in Glasgow.
XXX
One of the more unusual gigs this month was a primary school. Two of my grandchildren, when asked by their teachers what they wanted to bring in for "Show And Tell", decided they wanted to bring in their Grandpa! Primary Five and Primary Seven kids make a GREAT audience! Best of all though was that I received a STACK of drawings and letters from them. Out of twelve kids who tried spoon bending when they got home, two failed, nine succeeded (!), and one got into the most terrible trouble and was grounded.
XXX
So there I was, sitting in The Green Room – actually the old King’s audience room – of Stirling Castle, when I heard the most wonderful singing. I followed the sound down to the great Hall, where I was going to later be "doing my thing" (By the way, any reports that I was dressed as a jester are gross exaggerations, and any photographs you may have seen have been doctored on Photoshop by Douglas Gillespie as revenge for R the F P (private joke!) – clear?) Anyway, there, on a raised platform, was the surprise guest: world-famous Andrea Bocelli, the blind opera singer. He was doing his warm up, right there, not ten feet in front of me. Unamplified. Straight from the vocal chords. Well, isn’t that the coolest thing? Well, no, actually. There IS something even cooler. At the same gig, I was bending this gentleman’s fork. I could hardly keep my concentration on the job in hand. The gentleman’s name? Astronaut Buzz Aldrin. And as if that weren’t enough, right there, in the same group, was the legendary Quincy Jones!
Thanks, Douglas!
XXX
My grandson Robbie decided he wanted to fly. He somehow managed to squeeze through a six-inch gap in a "childproof" window on the second floor – feet first. He then slithered through until he was hanging by his head, before freeing himself and dropped 20 feet onto concrete. His injury? A sore finger! For those of you who live in Scotland, the story and photograph SHOULD be in The Sunday Post on –eh – Sunday.
XXX
My wee dog, Hobo wasn’t terribly well recently; so off we went to the vets. Result? She’s diabetic. Just great. Two injections a day.. regular check-ups. Day-long stays at the vets.... To all bookers, promoters and agents. Some good paying gigs would be really welcome about now!
XXX
This, from agent David Taylor of Taylor Made Speakers:
Two Scots are sitting in the pub discussing Jock's forthcoming wedding."Ach, it's all going grand," says Jock. "I've got everything organised already: the flowers, the church, the cars, the reception, the rings, the minister, even ma stag night...Archie nods approvingly."Havens, I've even bought a kilt tae be married in!" continues Jock."A kilt?" exclaims Archie, "Och, that's braw, you'll look pure smart in that! And what's the tartan?" Archie then enquires."Och," says Jock, "I'd imagine she'll be in white...".
Which reminds me – I’ll be off for the first couple of weeks this month. I’m in St Lucia in The Caribbean, where my son is getting married. Beaches, palm trees, a volcano, humming birds, tropical rainforest, scuba diving, horse riding... I’ll be thinking of you all – no, honest, I will!
Cheers!
Drew
BIG surprise. This month I turned 51 (I know, I can’t believe it myself!) and some good friends organised a party. There was a hilarious video tribute – and I use the word loosely – from a trouser-less top TV magician Paul Zenon. There was a great video from Marc Salem, Tova and their dog Sammy. Additionally, some that were not able to make it because of distance and touring commitments, sent various tributes and so on. I was really touched.
However, I really want to take this opportunity to thank everybody who made it along (and those who tried but failed), with special mention to Dave Arcari – who played a blistering blues number and won himself a new group of fans. Thanks, Dave, it meant a lot. Colin McLeod offered his own special brand of mindreading entertainment, and Gary James who was SUPPOSED to be enjoying a night off, but was asked as a special favour to do just ONE magic trick at the table for Pat Quinn, ended up delighting and enthralling everybody for half the night! Gary. Colin and Dave – thanks lads. Oh, and to the charming Len Murray... (Once described by a High Court Judge as the most respected pleader of his generation) how come all the girls love YOU?
XXX
A great deal was made of the release of The Omen on June 6. (The date is 06/06/06 – get it?) However, I much prefer this number. -0.80902 -- The Sine of the Beast
XXX
Few of you will know this, but one of the greatest mindreaders of the 1940’s was a guy called Dunninger. His US radio-based show regularly pulled in millions of listeners, and his voice was as recognised by the public as the then-President of the US. Well, American mindreader Joe Atmore had a stage show in Vegas in which he recreated the radio shows, as performed by the master. For some reason, Joe took it into his head to bring the show to London, and what a triumph it was! I had the pleasure of being there, and having a pre-show drink / meal/ drink/ laugh / pizza / drink with the cast; a group that included such luminaries as David Berglas, Marc Paul and Ian Rowland. I was accompanied by rising star in the mentalism field, Colin McLeod. And, just for posterity, I filmed the whole show. The perfect end to a perfect evening, Anthony Owen took Marc, Joe, Colin and myself to his club for a 40’s style drink and mindreading chat.
I had a ball... And if you want to come to my house to see the film of the show - and history recreated – then buy a ticket! (Just kiddin’ Joe!)
XXX
Some good gigs this month (thank you to my agents – you know who you are!) The gigs included Balmoral (The Hotel), Glamis (The Castle). A seance recreation (spooky, spooky, spooky!) The Waterside Hotel in Peterhead. Stirling (The castle) and the Menzies Hotel in Glasgow.
XXX
One of the more unusual gigs this month was a primary school. Two of my grandchildren, when asked by their teachers what they wanted to bring in for "Show And Tell", decided they wanted to bring in their Grandpa! Primary Five and Primary Seven kids make a GREAT audience! Best of all though was that I received a STACK of drawings and letters from them. Out of twelve kids who tried spoon bending when they got home, two failed, nine succeeded (!), and one got into the most terrible trouble and was grounded.
XXX
So there I was, sitting in The Green Room – actually the old King’s audience room – of Stirling Castle, when I heard the most wonderful singing. I followed the sound down to the great Hall, where I was going to later be "doing my thing" (By the way, any reports that I was dressed as a jester are gross exaggerations, and any photographs you may have seen have been doctored on Photoshop by Douglas Gillespie as revenge for R the F P (private joke!) – clear?) Anyway, there, on a raised platform, was the surprise guest: world-famous Andrea Bocelli, the blind opera singer. He was doing his warm up, right there, not ten feet in front of me. Unamplified. Straight from the vocal chords. Well, isn’t that the coolest thing? Well, no, actually. There IS something even cooler. At the same gig, I was bending this gentleman’s fork. I could hardly keep my concentration on the job in hand. The gentleman’s name? Astronaut Buzz Aldrin. And as if that weren’t enough, right there, in the same group, was the legendary Quincy Jones!
Thanks, Douglas!
XXX
My grandson Robbie decided he wanted to fly. He somehow managed to squeeze through a six-inch gap in a "childproof" window on the second floor – feet first. He then slithered through until he was hanging by his head, before freeing himself and dropped 20 feet onto concrete. His injury? A sore finger! For those of you who live in Scotland, the story and photograph SHOULD be in The Sunday Post on –eh – Sunday.
XXX
My wee dog, Hobo wasn’t terribly well recently; so off we went to the vets. Result? She’s diabetic. Just great. Two injections a day.. regular check-ups. Day-long stays at the vets.... To all bookers, promoters and agents. Some good paying gigs would be really welcome about now!
XXX
This, from agent David Taylor of Taylor Made Speakers:
Two Scots are sitting in the pub discussing Jock's forthcoming wedding."Ach, it's all going grand," says Jock. "I've got everything organised already: the flowers, the church, the cars, the reception, the rings, the minister, even ma stag night...Archie nods approvingly."Havens, I've even bought a kilt tae be married in!" continues Jock."A kilt?" exclaims Archie, "Och, that's braw, you'll look pure smart in that! And what's the tartan?" Archie then enquires."Och," says Jock, "I'd imagine she'll be in white...".
Which reminds me – I’ll be off for the first couple of weeks this month. I’m in St Lucia in The Caribbean, where my son is getting married. Beaches, palm trees, a volcano, humming birds, tropical rainforest, scuba diving, horse riding... I’ll be thinking of you all – no, honest, I will!
Cheers!
Drew
May 2006
DREW MCADAM MAY 2006 NEWSLETTER.
Hello, Folks, how are you?
(If you receive this it's because we've had some dealings in the past, you're a personal friend, I met you in a pub, or because you've expressed an interest in receiving the newsletter… or all of the above. However, if you have no wish to receive further issues - just hit reply and enter "unsubscribe" in the subject box. I won't take offence!)
Tel: 01506 873013www.drewmcadam.co.uk
GOODBYE BBC
Well, those of you who have been following this newsletter will know that there have been some pretty exciting things going on with regards to TV work. Well, one of them just unravelled; with a heavy heart I had to turn down a very excited BBC team who were working on a six-part series for BBC2. Working with the director and producer of The Weakest Link was fun, but it became increasingly apparent that the format simply was not for me. (I can’t go into details because that would not be fair on the BBC team who have worked long and hard on this project and are so confident that the format WILL work that they are now looking for another presenter who can do the same things I do – good luck to them; and I don’t mean that in a facetious way.)
I was convinced that the format they came up with would do little or nothing to enhance my professional reputation; and at the end of the day, that’s where my career lies, so I have to be careful with it.
However, the good news is that my TV agent has several other irons in the fire. Formats have been discussed and I have to say, they look very, very promising. I would certainly be a lot happier working on those. Mega-work ahead, though.
TO DO
It’s all been crazy busy lately. In fact, despite the fact that my To Do list was written in tiny, tiny lettering, it STILL covered an A4 page and leaked on to my desk. I’m getting there, though!
COMMENT
Nice comment from an old friend, the Reverend Jim Wallace with regard to my career and how I make my living: "Who says crime doesn’t pay?" Nice one, Jim!
MEETING
Weird meeting: "The Wizard" Marc Oberon was performing in (I think) Nottingham and found himself at the same table as my photographer friend, Gary Baker. Hearing his Scottish accent, Marc said: "Oh, you’re from Scotland... do you know Drew McAdam?" Guys, Scotland is a surprisingly big place (you’ll know that if you’ve ever been lost up here!) But, yep, the query paid off. Weird.
FREE BARBECUE
I laughed so much a wee tear ran down my leg.... Somebody sent me an e-mail , which told of the supermarkets who were offering barbecues to customers. The blurb went on that the unit came with a steel section which could be placed above the flames to keep food warm. Amazingly, these barbecues – from places such as ASDA, Safeway, Tesco and so on – were FREE! (Though some stores charged a £1 administration charge.) Fine. When you scrolled down, there was a photograph of a shopping trolley with a wee fire in it!
Now, I forward this to Paul Johnson – superhack at The Sunday Post. A few days later I received an e-mail which was headed OH. MY. GOD. Seems his mother, who had received the e-mail, was complaining bitterly... Yup, she had gone to several of the named stores for her free barbecue and was most annoyed that none of them had heard anything about it! Hing yer heid in shame, wuman!
FAST YEAR LAST YEAR
I can’t believe that’s a year since I was on the Island of Sark in the Channel Islands with some of the GODS of mentalism: John Archer, Marc Paul, Banachek, Ian Rowland, Spyros Melaris and Luke Jermay. Since then we’ve all been working hard, with one sad postscript. The wonderful Peter Willats paid for all our travel and accommodation from all over the world – well, his son Isaac contracted that fiendish disease, leukaemia. I’ve mentioned it before, but I’d count it as a special favour to me if you had a read of his diary and kept him in your mind and in your prayers, and particularly if you dropped him a we note, or a cartoon or something. You can read the diary here: www.freewebs.com/isaacwillats How difficult can it be to make a 3-year old feel important? Much obliged.
Actually, just looking back over what happened this time last year, it was a woozer: There was a 3-page piece in SHE Magazine which kicked off the whole television thing, I bumped into Billy Connoly in Aberdeen and I had a top rate gig in the Glasgow Museum of Modern Art. Can’t believe that was a year ago!
THIS MONTH
As mentioned earlier, thanks to Susie Townson for setting up meetings with a couple of production companies. There was also a great meeting – before we go to meet the TV company – with Hilary’s mob somewhere near Stansted Airport. What wonderful people they are! (Hi, Dave! Yes, that includes you!). I had two fabulous gigs at estates (the shootin’ and fishin’ type) in the wilds of Perthshire near Aberfeldy. These gigs were over two nights, and were followed the next night by a gig at The Norton House Hotel, then a dash up the motorway for another gig at The Highland Hotel in Stirling. It was a quick tour that left my head spinning but was a whole lot of fun! (And a darned sight easier than digging ditches for a living!)
On another evening I had two gigs in the same venue at the Dalmahoy Hotel near Edinburgh. Yup; one straight after the other. Little wonder then that I was so tired by the end of the month that I had to give into a nasty cold and actually take a day off work.
A CRACKING COLLECTION
Interesting one this: you know that I like Daleks, right? Well, my good chum Don jack actually HAS one in his house. So, I set off in the company of Colin McLeod to see it. Imagine my surprise then to discover not only a full size, scary, dalek, but that he has a huge collection of memorabilia that included: Darth Vadar’s costume, Johhny Depp’s costume form "Sleepy Hollow", Robocop, jewellery worn by Elizabeth Taylor, Cher and Marilyn Munro. As if that’s not enough, there’s also the Mask from "Mask" (a reproduction, but no less scary for that) the mask from Predator, a pair of Fred Astaire’s tap-dancing shoes, one of Marilyn Munro’s dresses, a script from "Titanic", signed by the cast... can I stop now? ‘Cause there’s more! And remember, all this is one room of his house (though it IS a very big house, it has to be said.)!
Don, you’re a weirdo, mate!
ENDS
Hello, Folks, how are you?
(If you receive this it's because we've had some dealings in the past, you're a personal friend, I met you in a pub, or because you've expressed an interest in receiving the newsletter… or all of the above. However, if you have no wish to receive further issues - just hit reply and enter "unsubscribe" in the subject box. I won't take offence!)
Tel: 01506 873013www.drewmcadam.co.uk
GOODBYE BBC
Well, those of you who have been following this newsletter will know that there have been some pretty exciting things going on with regards to TV work. Well, one of them just unravelled; with a heavy heart I had to turn down a very excited BBC team who were working on a six-part series for BBC2. Working with the director and producer of The Weakest Link was fun, but it became increasingly apparent that the format simply was not for me. (I can’t go into details because that would not be fair on the BBC team who have worked long and hard on this project and are so confident that the format WILL work that they are now looking for another presenter who can do the same things I do – good luck to them; and I don’t mean that in a facetious way.)
I was convinced that the format they came up with would do little or nothing to enhance my professional reputation; and at the end of the day, that’s where my career lies, so I have to be careful with it.
However, the good news is that my TV agent has several other irons in the fire. Formats have been discussed and I have to say, they look very, very promising. I would certainly be a lot happier working on those. Mega-work ahead, though.
TO DO
It’s all been crazy busy lately. In fact, despite the fact that my To Do list was written in tiny, tiny lettering, it STILL covered an A4 page and leaked on to my desk. I’m getting there, though!
COMMENT
Nice comment from an old friend, the Reverend Jim Wallace with regard to my career and how I make my living: "Who says crime doesn’t pay?" Nice one, Jim!
MEETING
Weird meeting: "The Wizard" Marc Oberon was performing in (I think) Nottingham and found himself at the same table as my photographer friend, Gary Baker. Hearing his Scottish accent, Marc said: "Oh, you’re from Scotland... do you know Drew McAdam?" Guys, Scotland is a surprisingly big place (you’ll know that if you’ve ever been lost up here!) But, yep, the query paid off. Weird.
FREE BARBECUE
I laughed so much a wee tear ran down my leg.... Somebody sent me an e-mail , which told of the supermarkets who were offering barbecues to customers. The blurb went on that the unit came with a steel section which could be placed above the flames to keep food warm. Amazingly, these barbecues – from places such as ASDA, Safeway, Tesco and so on – were FREE! (Though some stores charged a £1 administration charge.) Fine. When you scrolled down, there was a photograph of a shopping trolley with a wee fire in it!
Now, I forward this to Paul Johnson – superhack at The Sunday Post. A few days later I received an e-mail which was headed OH. MY. GOD. Seems his mother, who had received the e-mail, was complaining bitterly... Yup, she had gone to several of the named stores for her free barbecue and was most annoyed that none of them had heard anything about it! Hing yer heid in shame, wuman!
FAST YEAR LAST YEAR
I can’t believe that’s a year since I was on the Island of Sark in the Channel Islands with some of the GODS of mentalism: John Archer, Marc Paul, Banachek, Ian Rowland, Spyros Melaris and Luke Jermay. Since then we’ve all been working hard, with one sad postscript. The wonderful Peter Willats paid for all our travel and accommodation from all over the world – well, his son Isaac contracted that fiendish disease, leukaemia. I’ve mentioned it before, but I’d count it as a special favour to me if you had a read of his diary and kept him in your mind and in your prayers, and particularly if you dropped him a we note, or a cartoon or something. You can read the diary here: www.freewebs.com/isaacwillats How difficult can it be to make a 3-year old feel important? Much obliged.
Actually, just looking back over what happened this time last year, it was a woozer: There was a 3-page piece in SHE Magazine which kicked off the whole television thing, I bumped into Billy Connoly in Aberdeen and I had a top rate gig in the Glasgow Museum of Modern Art. Can’t believe that was a year ago!
THIS MONTH
As mentioned earlier, thanks to Susie Townson for setting up meetings with a couple of production companies. There was also a great meeting – before we go to meet the TV company – with Hilary’s mob somewhere near Stansted Airport. What wonderful people they are! (Hi, Dave! Yes, that includes you!). I had two fabulous gigs at estates (the shootin’ and fishin’ type) in the wilds of Perthshire near Aberfeldy. These gigs were over two nights, and were followed the next night by a gig at The Norton House Hotel, then a dash up the motorway for another gig at The Highland Hotel in Stirling. It was a quick tour that left my head spinning but was a whole lot of fun! (And a darned sight easier than digging ditches for a living!)
On another evening I had two gigs in the same venue at the Dalmahoy Hotel near Edinburgh. Yup; one straight after the other. Little wonder then that I was so tired by the end of the month that I had to give into a nasty cold and actually take a day off work.
A CRACKING COLLECTION
Interesting one this: you know that I like Daleks, right? Well, my good chum Don jack actually HAS one in his house. So, I set off in the company of Colin McLeod to see it. Imagine my surprise then to discover not only a full size, scary, dalek, but that he has a huge collection of memorabilia that included: Darth Vadar’s costume, Johhny Depp’s costume form "Sleepy Hollow", Robocop, jewellery worn by Elizabeth Taylor, Cher and Marilyn Munro. As if that’s not enough, there’s also the Mask from "Mask" (a reproduction, but no less scary for that) the mask from Predator, a pair of Fred Astaire’s tap-dancing shoes, one of Marilyn Munro’s dresses, a script from "Titanic", signed by the cast... can I stop now? ‘Cause there’s more! And remember, all this is one room of his house (though it IS a very big house, it has to be said.)!
Don, you’re a weirdo, mate!
ENDS
April 2006
Drew McAdam: APRIL 2006 NEWSLETTER
Tel: 01506 873013www.drewmcadam.co.uk
Now here’s an interesting thing. It will be worth phoning your friends at EXACTLY 3 seconds and two minutes after 1am on May the 4th. Why? Because you’ll be able to point out to them that their digital clock reads: 01-02-03-04-05-06. I’m sure they will appreciate the call.
Xxx
I’m shamefaced, but I’ve got to share this with you. I had just been picked up at the BBC Stage Door in White City and was been driven to the airport. I got into conversation with the driver (a lovely gentleman of Turkish extraction) who asked me what I’d been doing at the BBC. I told him, and explained a little of what I did. He seemed terribly excited about the whole prospect, and when we arrived at the airport he asked: "Do you mind – can I have your signature?" I was flabbergasted, but flattered, that somebody should want my autograph... until he pulled out the receipt book so he could claim back from the BBC. D’oh!
Xxx
Don Jack (sounds like a gangster, doesn’t he?) writes: "In our quest for world domination of the creative market, we are currently on a drive for new clients. With the latest and fastest technology at our disposal, our brilliant designers don't half get through the work quickly these days, but that reflects in lower design costs for our clients, so that's good - I think?I would consider it an honour if you would be so kind as to introduce my company to any of your associates/pals (preferably wealthy) whom you consider would benefit from our services. Our new web site should hold their fascination for a wee while, if you don't mind pointing them towww.ideas.co.uk or ask then to give me a no obligation call that would be great." (01324 716827)
All right, now, if anybody out there IS needing a real creative force that will make YOU stand out from the crowd, then I can heartily endorse everything Don has said. I’ve seen his work, and there’s a real touch of unique brilliance there. Believe me.
Xxxxx
Talking about web sites and things. PLEASE take the time to play with this. (Apparently it’s the most downloaded screensaver in The States.) If George gets stuck, just move him with the cursor. I guarantee you’ll be passing this link to your mates!
www.planetdan.net/pics/misc/georgie.htm
xxxxx
Gigs this month. There was an afternoon spot in Kilmarnock, in the grand hotel right next door to the football ground. I had a day off (well catching up on necessary paperwork, really) then off to Aviemore. The stage set for this one was mind-blowing. There was a whole aluminium lattice circle and pillars and lights, based on the set of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. I was a bit concerned over this one, because it was for an audience of Norwegians. Now, anybody who has seen my show knows that I rely to a great extent on the use of language; so, I had to learn Norwegian phrases. Additionally, thanks to the hard work of those behind the scenes, two large video screens swapped back and forth between me, and paragraphs of Norwegian, explaining what the blazes was going on!
Following an overnight stay, I drove back, in the shadow of the splendour of the snow-capped Cairngorm Mountains. Quite a sight, really!
The drive back was my day off, then it was out to The Dalmahoy, and a gig for a small party of obstetricians and Gynaecologists... please, no jokes.
There was also a gig for The Cyrenians; an organisation that helps get youngsters who’ve had a hard time back on their feet. It was a great success, and the "yoof" seemed to really like it, this due mainly to the fact that Colin McLeod helped out with a 20-minute spot. And anybody who knows Colin will appreciate he’s a "cool dude" – the girlies certainly seemed to like him, anyway. Me? I was just the old codger holding it all together.
There was a great little gig at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, and then a couple of days later I had a fantastic time "doing my stuff" at the Auchentoshan Distillery.
And it was all rounded of rather nicely by a private party performance in rural Perthshire at a beautiful old private house – more of a mansion, really - parts of which dated back to the 16th century. Set in its own estate, with its own private golf course, it’s the sort of place where it’s ALWAYS a pleasure to perform.
xxxxx
Oh, and this month I attended a reunion of my old Church Youth Club. It was great to see so many old faces, people of whom I WAS, and discovered still AM, fond. By the way, it was for this group that I first bent a house key waaaay back in November 1973! Pity it took me so long to re-discover how much fun all that stuff is!
Congratulations to Stuart Farquhar who was married this month. Stuart, I sent you a text and then discovered it in the "unsent" folder of my ‘phone. It said something like: "Wishing you both all the best on this day, and each day in your future." Two days later, when I discovered that it had not been sent, I realised that you would be on your honeymoon and a text from me would probably rank low on your list of welcome intrusions.
ENDS
Tel: 01506 873013www.drewmcadam.co.uk
Now here’s an interesting thing. It will be worth phoning your friends at EXACTLY 3 seconds and two minutes after 1am on May the 4th. Why? Because you’ll be able to point out to them that their digital clock reads: 01-02-03-04-05-06. I’m sure they will appreciate the call.
Xxx
I’m shamefaced, but I’ve got to share this with you. I had just been picked up at the BBC Stage Door in White City and was been driven to the airport. I got into conversation with the driver (a lovely gentleman of Turkish extraction) who asked me what I’d been doing at the BBC. I told him, and explained a little of what I did. He seemed terribly excited about the whole prospect, and when we arrived at the airport he asked: "Do you mind – can I have your signature?" I was flabbergasted, but flattered, that somebody should want my autograph... until he pulled out the receipt book so he could claim back from the BBC. D’oh!
Xxx
Don Jack (sounds like a gangster, doesn’t he?) writes: "In our quest for world domination of the creative market, we are currently on a drive for new clients. With the latest and fastest technology at our disposal, our brilliant designers don't half get through the work quickly these days, but that reflects in lower design costs for our clients, so that's good - I think?I would consider it an honour if you would be so kind as to introduce my company to any of your associates/pals (preferably wealthy) whom you consider would benefit from our services. Our new web site should hold their fascination for a wee while, if you don't mind pointing them towww.ideas.co.uk or ask then to give me a no obligation call that would be great." (01324 716827)
All right, now, if anybody out there IS needing a real creative force that will make YOU stand out from the crowd, then I can heartily endorse everything Don has said. I’ve seen his work, and there’s a real touch of unique brilliance there. Believe me.
Xxxxx
Talking about web sites and things. PLEASE take the time to play with this. (Apparently it’s the most downloaded screensaver in The States.) If George gets stuck, just move him with the cursor. I guarantee you’ll be passing this link to your mates!
www.planetdan.net/pics/misc/georgie.htm
xxxxx
Gigs this month. There was an afternoon spot in Kilmarnock, in the grand hotel right next door to the football ground. I had a day off (well catching up on necessary paperwork, really) then off to Aviemore. The stage set for this one was mind-blowing. There was a whole aluminium lattice circle and pillars and lights, based on the set of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. I was a bit concerned over this one, because it was for an audience of Norwegians. Now, anybody who has seen my show knows that I rely to a great extent on the use of language; so, I had to learn Norwegian phrases. Additionally, thanks to the hard work of those behind the scenes, two large video screens swapped back and forth between me, and paragraphs of Norwegian, explaining what the blazes was going on!
Following an overnight stay, I drove back, in the shadow of the splendour of the snow-capped Cairngorm Mountains. Quite a sight, really!
The drive back was my day off, then it was out to The Dalmahoy, and a gig for a small party of obstetricians and Gynaecologists... please, no jokes.
There was also a gig for The Cyrenians; an organisation that helps get youngsters who’ve had a hard time back on their feet. It was a great success, and the "yoof" seemed to really like it, this due mainly to the fact that Colin McLeod helped out with a 20-minute spot. And anybody who knows Colin will appreciate he’s a "cool dude" – the girlies certainly seemed to like him, anyway. Me? I was just the old codger holding it all together.
There was a great little gig at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, and then a couple of days later I had a fantastic time "doing my stuff" at the Auchentoshan Distillery.
And it was all rounded of rather nicely by a private party performance in rural Perthshire at a beautiful old private house – more of a mansion, really - parts of which dated back to the 16th century. Set in its own estate, with its own private golf course, it’s the sort of place where it’s ALWAYS a pleasure to perform.
xxxxx
Oh, and this month I attended a reunion of my old Church Youth Club. It was great to see so many old faces, people of whom I WAS, and discovered still AM, fond. By the way, it was for this group that I first bent a house key waaaay back in November 1973! Pity it took me so long to re-discover how much fun all that stuff is!
Congratulations to Stuart Farquhar who was married this month. Stuart, I sent you a text and then discovered it in the "unsent" folder of my ‘phone. It said something like: "Wishing you both all the best on this day, and each day in your future." Two days later, when I discovered that it had not been sent, I realised that you would be on your honeymoon and a text from me would probably rank low on your list of welcome intrusions.
ENDS
March 2006
Drew McAdam: MARCH 2006 NEWSLETTER
Hi, how are you? All well, preparing to welcome Spring, and full of zest for life? Good! I’ve had so many people moan at me about the weather lately that I’ve resurrected an old favourite of mine: I just remind them that "Every day spent above ground is a good one!"
CATCH A FALLING STAR
What a thrill it was. One of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. Sure, I’ve seen falling stars before - you know, a little bright dot streaking across the sky. But this was different. It was a dark night, and suddenly the sky above me lit up. Something - I assume a meteorite - came whizzing across the sky, falling from the heavens; a blazing ball of light with fluorescent red shooting from it in all directions. It was like a firework - coming down the way. An amazing sight, indeed
.
THIS MONTHWeird gig month – another trip up, past Loch Lomond and across to INVERARAY, over the mountain passes and through the forests – the sun shining - for a show at the Argyll Hotel.
This was followed almost immediately by a trip to ST ANDREWS. I knew I was in trouble from the moment I woke up, with about eight inches of snow blanketing the countryside. The police in Glasgow had to organise temporary accommodation for 3000 revellers in Glasgow.) What’s more, the police were advising people not to travel unless it was absolutely necessary... Now who would have thought that the council snowplough drivers in Fife and Kinross would have taken THAT advice on board?
I passed cars facing the wrong way on the by-pass, and cars in ditches off the main roads. To make things worse, my stupid GPS took me over the hills, along country roads, to my destination. It was an abandoned-car-slalom. I did manage to make it to the gig, and even some of the guests who LIVED in the town didn’t make it.
***..And ANOTHER thing. Those huge motorway signs, coated by snow and their message all but obliterated by falling flakes, all said the same thing: "Caution. Snow" They PAY the operators to come up with that stuff? ***
Next up was a gig at the EDINBURGH SHERATON, as after-dinner speakers for almost 300 Brewers and Distillers – ‘nuff said!
And then back to RUSSOCK HOTEL in ST ANDREWS – will it never stop?
WEB WORTH WATCHING.
This takes a while to download, but I promise you, it really is well worth it. DON JACK enthused about Chris Bliss, and I couldn’t believe it. It’s juggling, Jim, but not as we know it. PLEASE take the time to have a look at this. http://www.chrisbliss.com/videopresskit.html (the piece you want is entitled "The Grand Finale")
DOON SOOTH
More trips to London, much of it for the filming of TV taster tapes and meetings trying to hammer out a decent format - including one very enjoyable meeting at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant "15". Very nice!
Not quite so nice was trying to get out of Heathrow on the first trip. First there was "de-icing" the wings, a really scary operation to watch. Then an impressive storm that closed the airport for thirty minutes... You know that feeling that when things START to go wrong...?
But even less pleasant was a flight into London’s City Airport. Now, I really like this airport. It’s small. There’s the Docklands Light Railway connection. No queues... perfect. But because it’s only a toy airport, they only allow toy planes to land there... like the turbo prop Dornier (it was German... might have been a Heinkel or a Stuka – one of those jobs the Germans used to parachute from during the war!) Now, I LIKE a bit of turbulence, but coming into the water-surrounded airfield in a gale was not my idea of fun. White knuckles and pucker-factor nine!)
BEADLE CHARITY
Attended a charity gala, organised by SCOTT CUTHBERTSON - well done Scott – at which JEREMY BEADLE was present. Now, the man may have taken a bit of a knocking in the past, but what a professional entertainer and emcee he is. From 7.30pm until well after midnight, he never stopped; not even for food. He kept the whole thing going and deserves a great deal of praise. Looking for a REALLY good MC for a charity event? I can certainly recommend Mr Beadle.
HARLEY ALMOST MEETS ALI
What’s it like being in close proximity to your hero? My chum STEVE HARLEY (Cockney Rebel fame) was sitting in the lobby lounge of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, on New York's Central Park South, when MOHAMMED ALI came in... Steve writes about it beautifully, as only Steve can, and reacted exactly the way I imagine most of us would. Read about it in Steve’s diary right here: www.steveharley.com/diary.html#010306
WHO’D LIVE IN A HOUSE LIKE THIS?
You know the programme "Through the Keyhole" with David Frost, whereby they go into the homes of celebrities and film various rooms, then a panel has to try to work out from the clues whose house it is? "Who’d live in a house like THIS?" Well, one hour before it was aired, I got a text from my old mucker PAUL ZENON (we first met as special guests on the Marc Salem chat show; WHAT A FUN EXPERIENCE that was!) to let me know that his house was to be featured on the show... His take on it? "Who’d WANT to live in a house like this?" Come on, though, any house that has a bar AND a dancing pole in the garage has got to be worth a programme! Paul, you are a weirdo, mate!
BLINK
This from a great book (if you want to know more about how I do what I do, buy this book) BLINK by Malcolm Gladwell. One part of the book discusses how the unconventional and spontaneous tactics of a retired colonel ripped through the US defences during Operation Millennium Challenge – a dry run for the Gulf War. "It’s like Gulliver’s Travels... The big giant is tied down by little rules and regulations and procedures. The little guy? He just runs around and does what he wants"
I LIKE that!
WOO-HOOO!
Some of you may know, and some of you may not know, that for three years I worked as a retained (volunteer but paid) fire-fighter in my home village of West Calder. (An exciting hobby, really.) As a kid I used to always wave at passing fire engines – I loved ‘em. Of course, I’m still in touch with the lads at the station, and one day this month I was driving through the village when the machine whizzed past in the opposite direction, lights flashing and klaxon blaring. Even so, the driver (Hutchy) took time to wave as he flashed past... The guys in a fire engine waving at ME. How cool is THAT?
GELLER EXPLAINS THE PSYCHIC
I’m meeting up with my friend URI GELLER in April. (I’ll be in Stirling on April 8th when Uri is appearing at the Albert Hall. – Telephone 01786 473544). You can find out what else he’s up to at www.urigeller.com, and the tour "Uri Geller Explains The Unexplained.
Uri sent me a copy of the Independent Magazine this month in which there was an article about him and his support for a cancer sufferer, Barbara Clark, and the availability of the drug Herceptin.
It’s a wonderful piece, and I think it captured the real spirit of the man, the man I know rather than the one so often suggested by The Media. You can read the piece here: http://www.uri-geller.com/charity/2006/mar12_ind.jpg
I recommend you do. Uri has been called many things, but never a "poppet"! (Well, have you, Uri?)
CHARITY AND FRIENDS
LEN "SILVER FOX" MURRAY, one of the premier after dinner speakers in the UK, and one of the nicest blokes you could ever hope to meet, was taking part in the Wag Of The Year competition in Edinburgh (It was part of a fundraising event for an Epilepsy Charity.) By pure chance, Len is a great chum, and my brilliant (ex)-brother- in-law TERRY STEVENS, was heavily involved in the organisation of the event... so I went along to hang out in the bar after the event. What a great night it turned out to be, with the chance to meet friends and acquaintances, some of whom I had not seen in a long, long time including Noel and Kenny and Stewart. You know, I don’t often get the chance to hang around at these things, as the only time I really attend them is when I’m performing at ‘em. It was a wonderful time. Thank you one and all. And congratulations on raising a truly remarkable amount of money.
TECHNOLOGY
I just bought an Ipod. (One of the new ones that shows crystal clear videos). How do they do it? 75 hours of film and thousands of songs on a wee box that’s smaller than a mobile phone. I now have the first three episodes of one of my favourite programmes Due South to catch up on – one a screen not much bigger than the face of a wristwatch – and it’s hardly scratched the surface of the available memory. (Thanks, EWAN of ELITE CONTROLS for introducing me to another excuse to waste time...) Goodbye.
- METEOR
- INVERARAY
- ST ANDREWS
- EDINBURGH SHERATON
- DON JACK
- SCOTT CUTHBERTSON
- JEREMY BEADLE
- STEVE HARLEY
- PAUL ZENON
- URI GELLER
- LEN "SILVER FOX" MURRAY
- TERRY STEVENS
Hi, how are you? All well, preparing to welcome Spring, and full of zest for life? Good! I’ve had so many people moan at me about the weather lately that I’ve resurrected an old favourite of mine: I just remind them that "Every day spent above ground is a good one!"
CATCH A FALLING STAR
What a thrill it was. One of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. Sure, I’ve seen falling stars before - you know, a little bright dot streaking across the sky. But this was different. It was a dark night, and suddenly the sky above me lit up. Something - I assume a meteorite - came whizzing across the sky, falling from the heavens; a blazing ball of light with fluorescent red shooting from it in all directions. It was like a firework - coming down the way. An amazing sight, indeed
.
THIS MONTHWeird gig month – another trip up, past Loch Lomond and across to INVERARAY, over the mountain passes and through the forests – the sun shining - for a show at the Argyll Hotel.
This was followed almost immediately by a trip to ST ANDREWS. I knew I was in trouble from the moment I woke up, with about eight inches of snow blanketing the countryside. The police in Glasgow had to organise temporary accommodation for 3000 revellers in Glasgow.) What’s more, the police were advising people not to travel unless it was absolutely necessary... Now who would have thought that the council snowplough drivers in Fife and Kinross would have taken THAT advice on board?
I passed cars facing the wrong way on the by-pass, and cars in ditches off the main roads. To make things worse, my stupid GPS took me over the hills, along country roads, to my destination. It was an abandoned-car-slalom. I did manage to make it to the gig, and even some of the guests who LIVED in the town didn’t make it.
***..And ANOTHER thing. Those huge motorway signs, coated by snow and their message all but obliterated by falling flakes, all said the same thing: "Caution. Snow" They PAY the operators to come up with that stuff? ***
Next up was a gig at the EDINBURGH SHERATON, as after-dinner speakers for almost 300 Brewers and Distillers – ‘nuff said!
And then back to RUSSOCK HOTEL in ST ANDREWS – will it never stop?
WEB WORTH WATCHING.
This takes a while to download, but I promise you, it really is well worth it. DON JACK enthused about Chris Bliss, and I couldn’t believe it. It’s juggling, Jim, but not as we know it. PLEASE take the time to have a look at this. http://www.chrisbliss.com/videopresskit.html (the piece you want is entitled "The Grand Finale")
DOON SOOTH
More trips to London, much of it for the filming of TV taster tapes and meetings trying to hammer out a decent format - including one very enjoyable meeting at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant "15". Very nice!
Not quite so nice was trying to get out of Heathrow on the first trip. First there was "de-icing" the wings, a really scary operation to watch. Then an impressive storm that closed the airport for thirty minutes... You know that feeling that when things START to go wrong...?
But even less pleasant was a flight into London’s City Airport. Now, I really like this airport. It’s small. There’s the Docklands Light Railway connection. No queues... perfect. But because it’s only a toy airport, they only allow toy planes to land there... like the turbo prop Dornier (it was German... might have been a Heinkel or a Stuka – one of those jobs the Germans used to parachute from during the war!) Now, I LIKE a bit of turbulence, but coming into the water-surrounded airfield in a gale was not my idea of fun. White knuckles and pucker-factor nine!)
BEADLE CHARITY
Attended a charity gala, organised by SCOTT CUTHBERTSON - well done Scott – at which JEREMY BEADLE was present. Now, the man may have taken a bit of a knocking in the past, but what a professional entertainer and emcee he is. From 7.30pm until well after midnight, he never stopped; not even for food. He kept the whole thing going and deserves a great deal of praise. Looking for a REALLY good MC for a charity event? I can certainly recommend Mr Beadle.
HARLEY ALMOST MEETS ALI
What’s it like being in close proximity to your hero? My chum STEVE HARLEY (Cockney Rebel fame) was sitting in the lobby lounge of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, on New York's Central Park South, when MOHAMMED ALI came in... Steve writes about it beautifully, as only Steve can, and reacted exactly the way I imagine most of us would. Read about it in Steve’s diary right here: www.steveharley.com/diary.html#010306
WHO’D LIVE IN A HOUSE LIKE THIS?
You know the programme "Through the Keyhole" with David Frost, whereby they go into the homes of celebrities and film various rooms, then a panel has to try to work out from the clues whose house it is? "Who’d live in a house like THIS?" Well, one hour before it was aired, I got a text from my old mucker PAUL ZENON (we first met as special guests on the Marc Salem chat show; WHAT A FUN EXPERIENCE that was!) to let me know that his house was to be featured on the show... His take on it? "Who’d WANT to live in a house like this?" Come on, though, any house that has a bar AND a dancing pole in the garage has got to be worth a programme! Paul, you are a weirdo, mate!
BLINK
This from a great book (if you want to know more about how I do what I do, buy this book) BLINK by Malcolm Gladwell. One part of the book discusses how the unconventional and spontaneous tactics of a retired colonel ripped through the US defences during Operation Millennium Challenge – a dry run for the Gulf War. "It’s like Gulliver’s Travels... The big giant is tied down by little rules and regulations and procedures. The little guy? He just runs around and does what he wants"
I LIKE that!
WOO-HOOO!
Some of you may know, and some of you may not know, that for three years I worked as a retained (volunteer but paid) fire-fighter in my home village of West Calder. (An exciting hobby, really.) As a kid I used to always wave at passing fire engines – I loved ‘em. Of course, I’m still in touch with the lads at the station, and one day this month I was driving through the village when the machine whizzed past in the opposite direction, lights flashing and klaxon blaring. Even so, the driver (Hutchy) took time to wave as he flashed past... The guys in a fire engine waving at ME. How cool is THAT?
GELLER EXPLAINS THE PSYCHIC
I’m meeting up with my friend URI GELLER in April. (I’ll be in Stirling on April 8th when Uri is appearing at the Albert Hall. – Telephone 01786 473544). You can find out what else he’s up to at www.urigeller.com, and the tour "Uri Geller Explains The Unexplained.
Uri sent me a copy of the Independent Magazine this month in which there was an article about him and his support for a cancer sufferer, Barbara Clark, and the availability of the drug Herceptin.
It’s a wonderful piece, and I think it captured the real spirit of the man, the man I know rather than the one so often suggested by The Media. You can read the piece here: http://www.uri-geller.com/charity/2006/mar12_ind.jpg
I recommend you do. Uri has been called many things, but never a "poppet"! (Well, have you, Uri?)
CHARITY AND FRIENDS
LEN "SILVER FOX" MURRAY, one of the premier after dinner speakers in the UK, and one of the nicest blokes you could ever hope to meet, was taking part in the Wag Of The Year competition in Edinburgh (It was part of a fundraising event for an Epilepsy Charity.) By pure chance, Len is a great chum, and my brilliant (ex)-brother- in-law TERRY STEVENS, was heavily involved in the organisation of the event... so I went along to hang out in the bar after the event. What a great night it turned out to be, with the chance to meet friends and acquaintances, some of whom I had not seen in a long, long time including Noel and Kenny and Stewart. You know, I don’t often get the chance to hang around at these things, as the only time I really attend them is when I’m performing at ‘em. It was a wonderful time. Thank you one and all. And congratulations on raising a truly remarkable amount of money.
TECHNOLOGY
I just bought an Ipod. (One of the new ones that shows crystal clear videos). How do they do it? 75 hours of film and thousands of songs on a wee box that’s smaller than a mobile phone. I now have the first three episodes of one of my favourite programmes Due South to catch up on – one a screen not much bigger than the face of a wristwatch – and it’s hardly scratched the surface of the available memory. (Thanks, EWAN of ELITE CONTROLS for introducing me to another excuse to waste time...) Goodbye.
Monday, December 11, 2006
February 2006
First of all, Happy Birthday, Mummy!
THIS MONTH (1) Mohican fun-raiser result.(2) Travels in Scotland. (3) Letters that DIDN’T make it.(4) AQA(5) Gordon Giltrap(6) Gig list.
MOHICAN FUND RAISER
Well done to Gladys Chucklebutty, who had her head shaved into a mohican style and dyed purple for the Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital, Cancer Ward. She and he cohorts raised a fantastic total of £1800. Amazing. You can see the photographs (weird, weird, weird) on www.chucklebutty.co.uk/MOHICAN.HTML
TRAVELS IN SCOTLAND
On my travels this month I drove to Inveraray then to Aberfoyle over a three-day period. The weather in the South was bitterly cold, yet in Callander, the Gateway to the Highlands – and I kid you not – it was positively warm. People were wearing T-shirts. I couldn’t believe it!
There was not a breath of wind as I drove up the side of Loch Lomond, up to the summit of the (aptly named) Rest and be Thankful, round Loch Long and Lock Fyne. The water was motionless, mirror-like, blue sky and snow on the distant peaks. Inveraray really is a picturesque little place; and if you REALLY like the Woolen Mill then you could occupy yourself for a whole day! (Fortunately I had a gig, so I at least had something to do.) But what a beautiful little place, surrounded as it is by breathtaking scenery.
The route back was equally inspiring, through Argyll Forest, along the scenic road below the towering heights of Stuc Scardan and Beinn Ghlass. Mountain and moors. That brought me out at Loch Awe, a loch I have passed on many occasions on the road to Oban, and seen Kilchurn castle through the trees. But this route brought me right past it, the castle in the sun, the reeds, the still water with its veil of mist. Romantic perfection.
PLEASE take the time to check out this – exactly as it looked on the day. http://lescompagnons.ca/Image/chateau/kilchurn-castle1024.jpg Go on – check it out. It’ll only take a moment to see the splendour.
I bet you now understand now why I LOVE my job!
LETTERS THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT.
Thanks to top-flight journalist Paul Johnson for this lot – and whoever he got them from.These are letters to newspaper editors... that didn’t make it into print. (And this is only a small selection.) Enjoy.
(1) Hats off to the England cricketers for their achievements in the Ashes last summer, which rightly earned Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff BBC Sports personality of the Year. Winning a two-team tournament against a nation with a much smaller population once in every ten attempts, then never shutting upabout it, makes me proud to be British.
(2) The government tells us that we are eating too many pies and dying of heart disease, then in the next breath they're telling us we are living too long and there'll be no more pension money left for us. I wish they'd make their minds up.
(3) 'Alton Towers - Where the magic never ends', or so the commercial says. Imagine my disappointment when it closed at 7.30.
(4) The record companies would have us believe that the money made by CD pirates goes to fund the drug industry. But the money rock stars make from legal record sales ends up in exactly the same place. When they stop breaking the law, so will I.
(5) My friend's mum recently pointed out that I have the same ironing board cover as her. Can anyone think of a more mundane and pointless remark tomake than this?
(6) Did anyone else feel that Mel Gibson's remake of the classic "Life of Brian" wasn't anywhere near as funny as the original?
(7) On the BBC website, I read with interest that some scientists in Australia have discovered the smallest fish known to exist. They've obviously neverbeen to the Britannia Chippy on the Gloucester Road.
(8) The government says that there are nearly 50,000 people with HIV in Britain, a third of whom do not even know that they have it. Is it just me, or is it a bit harsh that the government know and haven't told the poor sods?
(9) With reference to that series "Manhunt" where ex-Special Forces soldiers try to hunt down Andy McNab. Why don't the producers include a couple of Iraqis in the hunting team? They found the twit quickly enough the last time he played hide and seek with them. (Sorry, Andy!) (10) I see on the news that Lord Hutton says he is "satisfied that David Kelly took his own life". He may not have liked Dr Kelly that much, but isn't this taking gloating just a little too far?
(11) I never worry about the destination when I'm going on holiday. My dad is Iranian and my mum is Irish, so I spend most of the time in customs.
(12) What's all this nonsense about that 66-year-old Romanian woman being theworld's oldest mum? My mum's 77. Beat that.
ANY QUESTION ANSWERED
Here’s a great little thing. You know all these pointless arguments you have in pubs? Or when you can’t remember the name of that two-bit actor in "Wagon Train"? Well, try AQA (All Questions Answered.) You compose the question into a text on your mobile phone, then text it to 63336, and they text you back with the answer! It really is as simple as that. While they DO answer serious questions, I asked "Where can I buy a monkey?" It took them all of a minute to come back with the answer – including the telephone number of the contact! (Apparently, you can’t just BUY one though; you need a license.)
But remember, all calls cost £1.00. Ask for permission of the bill payer. Terms and conditions apply blah-de-blah-de-blah. Worth a try, though!
GORDON GILTRAP
Okay, so the plan was to travel to the Beinn Inn which nestles in Glen Farg and have a chat with my old mucker Gordon Giltrap who was playing there... For those who don’t know – shame on you – Gordon is one of, if not THE, top acoustic guitarist in the UK. (Personally, I have no doubt that he IS). Sir Cliff Richard, Brian May, Rick Wakeman, Midge Ure, Martin Taylor, Bert Jansch, John Renbourne, John Entwistle, Steve Howe, Tony Iommi, Juan Martin, Simon Phillips, James Taylor – they have all at one time or another worked or collaborated with him. (And Blackmore and Page sing his praises, too.)
Anyway, I was only going to say "hello" but as usual Gordon and his charming wife Hilary were just TOO friendly, so I just HAD to stay and watch the show. (Sorry, Dave Arcari, it meant I didn’t make it to your gig. Next time... Anyway, I believe Edinburgh was choc-full, what with SCOTLAND positively hammering ENGLAND at the rugby that day!)
Where was I? Oh, yes, if you ever get the chance to catch Gordon in concert it’s an experience you will never forget, I promise. Visit www.giltrap.co.uk and click on Gigs Guide. If you live in Kent, Sussex or the bottom part of Englandshire, Gordon has a few gigs coming up. Skilled AND entertaining – don’t miss him – and tell him "Drew says, hello!"
ACTIVITY THIS MONTH - THE HIGHLIGHTS.
(1) Inveraray and a party of head teachers...(2) Then over to a private party (masked ball, which was wonderful) at Rangour House, Aberfoyle.(3) More TV meetings and more filming – yes, everything is progressing amazingly nicely, more news to follow, I hope.(4) Private party at Melville castle.(5) Treetops Hilton, Aberdeen.(6) Back by popular request to Inchyra Grange – after dinner spot.
Next month, there’s more TV "stuff" in London. (twice). Inveraray again, A Jeremy Beadle Quiz and Party Night. The Sheraton in Edinburgh. St Andrews, (twice). Saughton Prison Officers Club – oh, and if you want to hear a GREAT singer, Horse is on at the Queen’s Hall on Thursday the 30th. Wi’ a bit of luck, I’ll be there!
See ye’s a’ next month... Until then, have a GREAT one!
Drew
X
THIS MONTH (1) Mohican fun-raiser result.(2) Travels in Scotland. (3) Letters that DIDN’T make it.(4) AQA(5) Gordon Giltrap(6) Gig list.
MOHICAN FUND RAISER
Well done to Gladys Chucklebutty, who had her head shaved into a mohican style and dyed purple for the Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital, Cancer Ward. She and he cohorts raised a fantastic total of £1800. Amazing. You can see the photographs (weird, weird, weird) on www.chucklebutty.co.uk/MOHICAN.HTML
TRAVELS IN SCOTLAND
On my travels this month I drove to Inveraray then to Aberfoyle over a three-day period. The weather in the South was bitterly cold, yet in Callander, the Gateway to the Highlands – and I kid you not – it was positively warm. People were wearing T-shirts. I couldn’t believe it!
There was not a breath of wind as I drove up the side of Loch Lomond, up to the summit of the (aptly named) Rest and be Thankful, round Loch Long and Lock Fyne. The water was motionless, mirror-like, blue sky and snow on the distant peaks. Inveraray really is a picturesque little place; and if you REALLY like the Woolen Mill then you could occupy yourself for a whole day! (Fortunately I had a gig, so I at least had something to do.) But what a beautiful little place, surrounded as it is by breathtaking scenery.
The route back was equally inspiring, through Argyll Forest, along the scenic road below the towering heights of Stuc Scardan and Beinn Ghlass. Mountain and moors. That brought me out at Loch Awe, a loch I have passed on many occasions on the road to Oban, and seen Kilchurn castle through the trees. But this route brought me right past it, the castle in the sun, the reeds, the still water with its veil of mist. Romantic perfection.
PLEASE take the time to check out this – exactly as it looked on the day. http://lescompagnons.ca/Image/chateau/kilchurn-castle1024.jpg Go on – check it out. It’ll only take a moment to see the splendour.
I bet you now understand now why I LOVE my job!
LETTERS THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT.
Thanks to top-flight journalist Paul Johnson for this lot – and whoever he got them from.These are letters to newspaper editors... that didn’t make it into print. (And this is only a small selection.) Enjoy.
(1) Hats off to the England cricketers for their achievements in the Ashes last summer, which rightly earned Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff BBC Sports personality of the Year. Winning a two-team tournament against a nation with a much smaller population once in every ten attempts, then never shutting upabout it, makes me proud to be British.
(2) The government tells us that we are eating too many pies and dying of heart disease, then in the next breath they're telling us we are living too long and there'll be no more pension money left for us. I wish they'd make their minds up.
(3) 'Alton Towers - Where the magic never ends', or so the commercial says. Imagine my disappointment when it closed at 7.30.
(4) The record companies would have us believe that the money made by CD pirates goes to fund the drug industry. But the money rock stars make from legal record sales ends up in exactly the same place. When they stop breaking the law, so will I.
(5) My friend's mum recently pointed out that I have the same ironing board cover as her. Can anyone think of a more mundane and pointless remark tomake than this?
(6) Did anyone else feel that Mel Gibson's remake of the classic "Life of Brian" wasn't anywhere near as funny as the original?
(7) On the BBC website, I read with interest that some scientists in Australia have discovered the smallest fish known to exist. They've obviously neverbeen to the Britannia Chippy on the Gloucester Road.
(8) The government says that there are nearly 50,000 people with HIV in Britain, a third of whom do not even know that they have it. Is it just me, or is it a bit harsh that the government know and haven't told the poor sods?
(9) With reference to that series "Manhunt" where ex-Special Forces soldiers try to hunt down Andy McNab. Why don't the producers include a couple of Iraqis in the hunting team? They found the twit quickly enough the last time he played hide and seek with them. (Sorry, Andy!) (10) I see on the news that Lord Hutton says he is "satisfied that David Kelly took his own life". He may not have liked Dr Kelly that much, but isn't this taking gloating just a little too far?
(11) I never worry about the destination when I'm going on holiday. My dad is Iranian and my mum is Irish, so I spend most of the time in customs.
(12) What's all this nonsense about that 66-year-old Romanian woman being theworld's oldest mum? My mum's 77. Beat that.
ANY QUESTION ANSWERED
Here’s a great little thing. You know all these pointless arguments you have in pubs? Or when you can’t remember the name of that two-bit actor in "Wagon Train"? Well, try AQA (All Questions Answered.) You compose the question into a text on your mobile phone, then text it to 63336, and they text you back with the answer! It really is as simple as that. While they DO answer serious questions, I asked "Where can I buy a monkey?" It took them all of a minute to come back with the answer – including the telephone number of the contact! (Apparently, you can’t just BUY one though; you need a license.)
But remember, all calls cost £1.00. Ask for permission of the bill payer. Terms and conditions apply blah-de-blah-de-blah. Worth a try, though!
GORDON GILTRAP
Okay, so the plan was to travel to the Beinn Inn which nestles in Glen Farg and have a chat with my old mucker Gordon Giltrap who was playing there... For those who don’t know – shame on you – Gordon is one of, if not THE, top acoustic guitarist in the UK. (Personally, I have no doubt that he IS). Sir Cliff Richard, Brian May, Rick Wakeman, Midge Ure, Martin Taylor, Bert Jansch, John Renbourne, John Entwistle, Steve Howe, Tony Iommi, Juan Martin, Simon Phillips, James Taylor – they have all at one time or another worked or collaborated with him. (And Blackmore and Page sing his praises, too.)
Anyway, I was only going to say "hello" but as usual Gordon and his charming wife Hilary were just TOO friendly, so I just HAD to stay and watch the show. (Sorry, Dave Arcari, it meant I didn’t make it to your gig. Next time... Anyway, I believe Edinburgh was choc-full, what with SCOTLAND positively hammering ENGLAND at the rugby that day!)
Where was I? Oh, yes, if you ever get the chance to catch Gordon in concert it’s an experience you will never forget, I promise. Visit www.giltrap.co.uk and click on Gigs Guide. If you live in Kent, Sussex or the bottom part of Englandshire, Gordon has a few gigs coming up. Skilled AND entertaining – don’t miss him – and tell him "Drew says, hello!"
ACTIVITY THIS MONTH - THE HIGHLIGHTS.
(1) Inveraray and a party of head teachers...(2) Then over to a private party (masked ball, which was wonderful) at Rangour House, Aberfoyle.(3) More TV meetings and more filming – yes, everything is progressing amazingly nicely, more news to follow, I hope.(4) Private party at Melville castle.(5) Treetops Hilton, Aberdeen.(6) Back by popular request to Inchyra Grange – after dinner spot.
Next month, there’s more TV "stuff" in London. (twice). Inveraray again, A Jeremy Beadle Quiz and Party Night. The Sheraton in Edinburgh. St Andrews, (twice). Saughton Prison Officers Club – oh, and if you want to hear a GREAT singer, Horse is on at the Queen’s Hall on Thursday the 30th. Wi’ a bit of luck, I’ll be there!
See ye’s a’ next month... Until then, have a GREAT one!
Drew
X
January 2006
THIS MONTH IN BRIEF
CAR WASHING PHILOSOPHY
CRAIG STEELE
RODDY THE PIPER
URI GELLER TOUR DATES.
CAN’T GET A PICTURE
THIS MONTH IN BRIEF
I SEEM to have been running around all day, every day. Yet when I add it all up, it doesn't seem to come to much. Weird! There was a severe lack of shows this month, due to the fact that I was AWOL in the Carribean for most of December, but my agents are changing things... they're inundating me with work, and 2006 is really shaping up nicely. (Thanks guys for all your hard work, and keeping me in mind.)
Shows this month included a gig at Melville Castle, at Elite Control Systems – at the behest of Sam and Ewan, two of the nicest guys you could meet. There was also a show at the Dalmahoy Hotel, one at Pitoddrie House Hotel in Inveruruie and a gig at the Mansefild Hotel in Elgin.
When not actually gigging, there was hurried trips South of the Border for filming work – with more to come. It’s all pretty much a waiting game at the moment to see what formats the TV folks come up with. Boy, but it’s fun!
CAR WASHING PHILOSOPHY
THOSE who know me are aware that I like to hang around after a show and actually MEET the people to whom I’ve been performing all night. Those who know me also know that as a matter ofprinciple, I never wash my car – (though it did get a dunking this month.) Therefore, I was pleased to meet somebody after-show who has the same mindset – though he has a much more scientific take on the whole thing. He pointed out that a car will only get so dirty, but won’t get any dirtier than that – a sort of terminal filthiness. What’s more, he saves a fortune on car washes by driving very, very fast in the rain... it’s like a power wash! I like his thinking.
CRAIG STEELE
Many thanks to actor Craig Steele, who is off to Broadway for a run before bringing it back here to the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, and later the Edinburgh Festival. Craig took time out, at my request, to teach Young Colin McLeod and I the techniques of effective voice projection. He spoke a lot of sense and lumbered us with a pile of tasks and exercises... "Oh what a to-do to die today, at a minute or two to two. A thing dist-inctly hard to say, but harder still to do...." How am I doing, Craig?
RODDY THE PIPER
Oh, and a special mention to Pipe Major Roderick Deans, a handsome – and remarkably talented – young man. (You can visit his website at www.roddythepiper.com and even listento his pipe playing.) However, his acting out and deliver of Robert Burns’ "Address to a Haggis" has to be seen and heard to be believed.
URI GELLER’S FEBRUARY TOUR DATES.
Uri Geller Explains the Unexplained Afterlife, Most Haunted, Positive Thinking, The Mind, Healing, Motivation, UFO's, Stop Smoking, The 11:11 Phenomenon. Suitable for all the family; you're invited to bring along a broken watch and a few spoons.
3rd EPSOM Epsom Playhouse 01372 7425554th WIMBLEDON New Wimbledon Theatre 08700 60664610th MAIDSTONE Corn Exchange Complex 01622 75861122th MANSFIELD The Palace Theatre 01623 63313324th AYLESBURY Civic Centre 01296 48600925th ST ALBANS Alban Arena 01727 844488
More dates to follow next month and April (including two dates in Scotland.)
CAN’T GET A PICTURE...
My friend Neil Grant, stays in a, to say the least, remote part of Scotland. He was fed up getting letters from the Television Licensing Authority for non-payment of a TV license, and having nothing better to do one night... this is a rough transcript of the telephone conversation.
Hello, you keep sending me letters but I have no intention of purchasing a TV license.
But you have to.
Why?
Well, you have a television...
Yes, but I don’t watch BBC
Even so, you are required to have a license.
But I can’t get a picture.
Perhaps not, but you have the potential to get a picture.
I don’t think so. I’ve spent hours erecting a pole and an aerial, but I can’t get a picture.
Yes, but you have the POTENTIAL to get a picture.
Maybe so, but I can’t get a picture.
We are supplying a service, and you have to pay for it.
So I have to pay for a service you supply, but I don’t use?
Yes.
Even though I can’t get a picture?
Yes – because you have the POTENTIAL to get a picture.
But I can’t get a picture.
But you have the POTENTIAL to get a picture.
So why aren’t you in prison?
Huh?
Well, you have the POTENTIAL to commit murder. So, using your logic, you should be locked up.
It’s not the same, is it?
Potentially, it is!
It’s company policy.
It’s not MY policy, lady.
It’s our policy.
It’s not Safeway’s policy, is it? They don’t charge me extra for beans just because I have the POTENTIAL to buy them.
That’s not the same.
I know it’s not the same – I CAN get beans, but I CAN’T get a picture.
Well, we’ll need to send somebody up to examine your equipment.
(Much stifled mirth!)
Now why would you do that?
We need to check that you can’t get a picture.
Lady, I’m telling you that I can’t get a picture.
But we have to check.
You have to check that I’m not using your goods? Safeway doesn’t send somebody round to make sure I’ve paid for everything.
All the same, we have to send our representatives to visit you.
Okay, so what will they want for breakfast?
Eh?
Look, lady, I live on a pimple on the carbuncle on the backside of nowhere – it’ll take them a day’s trek just to get here, and there ain’t no hotels.
Ah.
So, where do I send the bill for bed and breakfast.
A bill? We wouldn’t pay for their accommodation and food.
Why not?
Because they wouldn’t be taking up your offer.
Ah, yes, but they have the POTENTIAL to sleep at my house and eat my food.
But they won’t be getting bed and breakfast, so we wouldn’t pay it.
So why should I pay when I can’t get a picture?
Look, we’re getting nowhere. Let me bring an engineer on the line... Hello, Ted, this gentleman says he can’t get a picture, even though he has all the equipment.
You can’t get a picture?
I can’t get a picture.
What’s your postcode?
(Neil tells him.)
You won’t get a picture.
Yes, I know that, and you know that, but would you mind telling the dingbat on the line?
Hello...? Hello ?Hello....?.
***
NEXT MONTH
Gig in Inveraray for headmasters (!),
a private masked ball (!),
two trips to London,
filming,
TV meetings,
Melville Castle,
Aberdeen (Treetops Hotel),
Inchyra grange Hotel (after dinner speaking),
Aberdeen again
...It just goes on, doesn’t it? And isn’t it GRRRREAT!?
Best wishes to you,
Drew
X
CAR WASHING PHILOSOPHY
CRAIG STEELE
RODDY THE PIPER
URI GELLER TOUR DATES.
CAN’T GET A PICTURE
THIS MONTH IN BRIEF
I SEEM to have been running around all day, every day. Yet when I add it all up, it doesn't seem to come to much. Weird! There was a severe lack of shows this month, due to the fact that I was AWOL in the Carribean for most of December, but my agents are changing things... they're inundating me with work, and 2006 is really shaping up nicely. (Thanks guys for all your hard work, and keeping me in mind.)
Shows this month included a gig at Melville Castle, at Elite Control Systems – at the behest of Sam and Ewan, two of the nicest guys you could meet. There was also a show at the Dalmahoy Hotel, one at Pitoddrie House Hotel in Inveruruie and a gig at the Mansefild Hotel in Elgin.
When not actually gigging, there was hurried trips South of the Border for filming work – with more to come. It’s all pretty much a waiting game at the moment to see what formats the TV folks come up with. Boy, but it’s fun!
CAR WASHING PHILOSOPHY
THOSE who know me are aware that I like to hang around after a show and actually MEET the people to whom I’ve been performing all night. Those who know me also know that as a matter ofprinciple, I never wash my car – (though it did get a dunking this month.) Therefore, I was pleased to meet somebody after-show who has the same mindset – though he has a much more scientific take on the whole thing. He pointed out that a car will only get so dirty, but won’t get any dirtier than that – a sort of terminal filthiness. What’s more, he saves a fortune on car washes by driving very, very fast in the rain... it’s like a power wash! I like his thinking.
CRAIG STEELE
Many thanks to actor Craig Steele, who is off to Broadway for a run before bringing it back here to the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, and later the Edinburgh Festival. Craig took time out, at my request, to teach Young Colin McLeod and I the techniques of effective voice projection. He spoke a lot of sense and lumbered us with a pile of tasks and exercises... "Oh what a to-do to die today, at a minute or two to two. A thing dist-inctly hard to say, but harder still to do...." How am I doing, Craig?
RODDY THE PIPER
Oh, and a special mention to Pipe Major Roderick Deans, a handsome – and remarkably talented – young man. (You can visit his website at www.roddythepiper.com and even listento his pipe playing.) However, his acting out and deliver of Robert Burns’ "Address to a Haggis" has to be seen and heard to be believed.
URI GELLER’S FEBRUARY TOUR DATES.
Uri Geller Explains the Unexplained Afterlife, Most Haunted, Positive Thinking, The Mind, Healing, Motivation, UFO's, Stop Smoking, The 11:11 Phenomenon. Suitable for all the family; you're invited to bring along a broken watch and a few spoons.
3rd EPSOM Epsom Playhouse 01372 7425554th WIMBLEDON New Wimbledon Theatre 08700 60664610th MAIDSTONE Corn Exchange Complex 01622 75861122th MANSFIELD The Palace Theatre 01623 63313324th AYLESBURY Civic Centre 01296 48600925th ST ALBANS Alban Arena 01727 844488
More dates to follow next month and April (including two dates in Scotland.)
CAN’T GET A PICTURE...
My friend Neil Grant, stays in a, to say the least, remote part of Scotland. He was fed up getting letters from the Television Licensing Authority for non-payment of a TV license, and having nothing better to do one night... this is a rough transcript of the telephone conversation.
Hello, you keep sending me letters but I have no intention of purchasing a TV license.
But you have to.
Why?
Well, you have a television...
Yes, but I don’t watch BBC
Even so, you are required to have a license.
But I can’t get a picture.
Perhaps not, but you have the potential to get a picture.
I don’t think so. I’ve spent hours erecting a pole and an aerial, but I can’t get a picture.
Yes, but you have the POTENTIAL to get a picture.
Maybe so, but I can’t get a picture.
We are supplying a service, and you have to pay for it.
So I have to pay for a service you supply, but I don’t use?
Yes.
Even though I can’t get a picture?
Yes – because you have the POTENTIAL to get a picture.
But I can’t get a picture.
But you have the POTENTIAL to get a picture.
So why aren’t you in prison?
Huh?
Well, you have the POTENTIAL to commit murder. So, using your logic, you should be locked up.
It’s not the same, is it?
Potentially, it is!
It’s company policy.
It’s not MY policy, lady.
It’s our policy.
It’s not Safeway’s policy, is it? They don’t charge me extra for beans just because I have the POTENTIAL to buy them.
That’s not the same.
I know it’s not the same – I CAN get beans, but I CAN’T get a picture.
Well, we’ll need to send somebody up to examine your equipment.
(Much stifled mirth!)
Now why would you do that?
We need to check that you can’t get a picture.
Lady, I’m telling you that I can’t get a picture.
But we have to check.
You have to check that I’m not using your goods? Safeway doesn’t send somebody round to make sure I’ve paid for everything.
All the same, we have to send our representatives to visit you.
Okay, so what will they want for breakfast?
Eh?
Look, lady, I live on a pimple on the carbuncle on the backside of nowhere – it’ll take them a day’s trek just to get here, and there ain’t no hotels.
Ah.
So, where do I send the bill for bed and breakfast.
A bill? We wouldn’t pay for their accommodation and food.
Why not?
Because they wouldn’t be taking up your offer.
Ah, yes, but they have the POTENTIAL to sleep at my house and eat my food.
But they won’t be getting bed and breakfast, so we wouldn’t pay it.
So why should I pay when I can’t get a picture?
Look, we’re getting nowhere. Let me bring an engineer on the line... Hello, Ted, this gentleman says he can’t get a picture, even though he has all the equipment.
You can’t get a picture?
I can’t get a picture.
What’s your postcode?
(Neil tells him.)
You won’t get a picture.
Yes, I know that, and you know that, but would you mind telling the dingbat on the line?
Hello...? Hello ?Hello....?.
***
NEXT MONTH
Gig in Inveraray for headmasters (!),
a private masked ball (!),
two trips to London,
filming,
TV meetings,
Melville Castle,
Aberdeen (Treetops Hotel),
Inchyra grange Hotel (after dinner speaking),
Aberdeen again
...It just goes on, doesn’t it? And isn’t it GRRRREAT!?
Best wishes to you,
Drew
X
December 2005
Weyyyy-heyyyy. Another heavy-duty month. However, most of it was spent at a leisurely pace, interspersed with bursts of energetic panic that left me crying out for sleep. This month I’ve travelled thousands of miles, by car, plane, liner, train, boat and submarine... yes, submarine. But more of that later. I’ve been in and out of London doing pre-shoot and screen test filming, performed in shows (one of them just off the coast of Cuba!), and fried a friends car.
But first, a heartfelt thank you to all of you, agents, friends and bookers who have made 2005 such a howling success. You know who you are; and this year would not have been so amazing had it not been for you support, friendship, advice and guidance – not to mention all your hard work behind the scenes, and the fact you believed in me and put your trust in me.
Highlights, there have been many. Sark, for one, the Caribbean for two, my book coming out for three, and London for four – I have a new-found attachment to that city. The TV filming, and the hosts of gigs and shows around the country, from the North of Scotland to the South of England, and all points in between. Each one brought me into contact with new people with new stories, from the celebrities to the waiting staff and stage engineers. Fellow performers and speakers - new friends, who hopefully will become old friends - and old friends who made this year so deliciously sweet. I only wish I could have spent more time with you than I have.
I also wish I had the time to call each one of you and thank you personally. But believe me, your friendship is incredibly precious to me. Thank you, one and all.
If you know me at all, and we have met on the circuit - or spoken at length in person or on the telephone – the above is meant for you.
xxxxx
Those of you who know me are well aware that I am mechanically inept – past newsletters have borne testament to that fact on several occasions. If I had a screwdriver, I wouldn’t know which end to hit the nail with. However, all those who managed to fry a friend’s car, take one step forward... Ah, McAdam.
Firstly, having left my lights on in my car, I returned several hours later to find the battery flat. No surprise there, then. I am a member of the RAC, but rather than put the poor patrolman to any bother, I thought I would take care of things myself.. I should have known better.
I bought a jump-lead-thingy from the local auto shop and asked Ian, who works in the same building as my offices, for help. He duly brought his car up to mine and we linked the batteries. Despite the battery terminals being clearly marked, we – and I do mean WE – managed to put 2positive to negative and vice-versa. The result? When I tried to turn my engine there was a pyrotechnic exhibition – and a great deal of heat – of which the annual Edinburgh Castle Firework display would have been proud. We lit up the car park! (I’ve got to admit, Ian’s panicked reaction WAS pretty funny!)
Xxxxx
You know those books you get at Christmas, the ones about the weird things that have happened in the past year, and bumper books of useless information? Well, here are a few short excerpts from one I received.
ONE: "Hot Cockles" was a popular game at Christmas in medieval times. Players took turns striking a blindfolded player, who had to guess the name of the person delivering the blow. (Methinks this sounds like a blast, right up there with a shin-kicking competition, don’t you think? Maybe we could resurrect this beauty... step up, Mr Gary Glitter and accept your blindfold...)
TWO: More than 50% of people in the world have neither made, nor received, a telephone call. (I’ll bet their daughters have, though!)
THREE: Bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers and laser printers were all invented by women. (Oh, well done, the ladies. I’ve been driven to distraction by every one of them at one time or another.)
FOUR: If you place a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke, it will be gone in two days. (And if you leave it unattended near my dog, Hobo, both the steak AND the Coke will be gone in thirty seconds.)
Xxxxx
GIGS THIS MONTH: Well, they were few and far between because I was on a cruise from Florida to Trinidad, just off the coast of Venezuela, and back, taking in most of the islands (except Cuba and Haiti) on the way. Tropical rain forests, humming birds, picking bananas, coconuts, swimming with dolphins, snorkelling on a coral reef, going down in a submarine to examine a wreck... it just goes on and on. I’ve also discovered a liking for Reggae music. (Palm trees, sand, surf and tropical heat does that to a fella’... We Be Jammin’!) Of course, there was the show on board – sharing the stage with a belly dancer, a comedienne, a pop singer and hip-hoppers (not all at the same time, I hasten to add!) Unfortunately, there was no time for the necessary rehearsal / sound check, and so on - though it seemed to go okay. But that aside, I had gigs at St Mary’s School in Melrose (before dashing off to catch a flight to Fort Lauderdale.) Melrose to Miami – not bad. There was test filming (sort of screen tests) and production meetings in London. A job at Norton House. And a gig in Ayr. Then it all starts again with a gig on Hogmanay.
xxxxx
So, it’s off into the New Year we all go. May I take this opportunity of wishing each and every one of you all the very best in 2006. DO keep me posted of what's going on in your life. It means a lot to me when you keep in touch... But before we disappear, let’s just take a moment.... Those of you who follow this newsletter will know that I was in the Channel Islands, on the Island of Sark, with some of the world’s top mindreaders – my heroes – earlier this year. We were there as the guests of the remarkably generous and hospitable Peter Willats. Well, on December 16, Peter and his family were the recipients of some horrible news. You can follow 2-year old Issac’s progress and read his diary on this website : www.freewebs.com/isaacwillats (his diary really IS worth reading, believe me.) All he asks for is your prayers, and maybe to drop wee Issac a card or minding in the course of his treatment. How difficult can it be to make a 2-year old feel important? Much obliged.
And while we’re on the subject: I mentioned this last month, but it’s only a few weeks away now. Dunbar-based magician Gladys Chucklebutty (no, that’s not her real name!) is doing a special charity event on Friday, January 6 in aid of the Sick Kids Hospital Cancer ward in Edinburgh. She’s going to be given a 100% genuine purple Mohican haircut – cut, shaved and dyed – no messing. You’ve just GOT to admire that! According to Gladys, "The night will be a Fundraising Frenzy consisting of a Darts Marathon, Raffle, Disco and Gelled Purple Mohican,s For ALL that want them! To help out / Donate or find out more, please call Gladys on Tel / Fax ; 01368 863 757 or Mobile 07971 946 708
Journalist friends on this newsletter – take note.
xxxx
2005 ahas been an absolute blast, and it’s about to get better. See you all next year – if you can catch me!
Best wishes,
Drew
But first, a heartfelt thank you to all of you, agents, friends and bookers who have made 2005 such a howling success. You know who you are; and this year would not have been so amazing had it not been for you support, friendship, advice and guidance – not to mention all your hard work behind the scenes, and the fact you believed in me and put your trust in me.
Highlights, there have been many. Sark, for one, the Caribbean for two, my book coming out for three, and London for four – I have a new-found attachment to that city. The TV filming, and the hosts of gigs and shows around the country, from the North of Scotland to the South of England, and all points in between. Each one brought me into contact with new people with new stories, from the celebrities to the waiting staff and stage engineers. Fellow performers and speakers - new friends, who hopefully will become old friends - and old friends who made this year so deliciously sweet. I only wish I could have spent more time with you than I have.
I also wish I had the time to call each one of you and thank you personally. But believe me, your friendship is incredibly precious to me. Thank you, one and all.
If you know me at all, and we have met on the circuit - or spoken at length in person or on the telephone – the above is meant for you.
xxxxx
Those of you who know me are well aware that I am mechanically inept – past newsletters have borne testament to that fact on several occasions. If I had a screwdriver, I wouldn’t know which end to hit the nail with. However, all those who managed to fry a friend’s car, take one step forward... Ah, McAdam.
Firstly, having left my lights on in my car, I returned several hours later to find the battery flat. No surprise there, then. I am a member of the RAC, but rather than put the poor patrolman to any bother, I thought I would take care of things myself.. I should have known better.
I bought a jump-lead-thingy from the local auto shop and asked Ian, who works in the same building as my offices, for help. He duly brought his car up to mine and we linked the batteries. Despite the battery terminals being clearly marked, we – and I do mean WE – managed to put 2positive to negative and vice-versa. The result? When I tried to turn my engine there was a pyrotechnic exhibition – and a great deal of heat – of which the annual Edinburgh Castle Firework display would have been proud. We lit up the car park! (I’ve got to admit, Ian’s panicked reaction WAS pretty funny!)
Xxxxx
You know those books you get at Christmas, the ones about the weird things that have happened in the past year, and bumper books of useless information? Well, here are a few short excerpts from one I received.
ONE: "Hot Cockles" was a popular game at Christmas in medieval times. Players took turns striking a blindfolded player, who had to guess the name of the person delivering the blow. (Methinks this sounds like a blast, right up there with a shin-kicking competition, don’t you think? Maybe we could resurrect this beauty... step up, Mr Gary Glitter and accept your blindfold...)
TWO: More than 50% of people in the world have neither made, nor received, a telephone call. (I’ll bet their daughters have, though!)
THREE: Bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers and laser printers were all invented by women. (Oh, well done, the ladies. I’ve been driven to distraction by every one of them at one time or another.)
FOUR: If you place a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke, it will be gone in two days. (And if you leave it unattended near my dog, Hobo, both the steak AND the Coke will be gone in thirty seconds.)
Xxxxx
GIGS THIS MONTH: Well, they were few and far between because I was on a cruise from Florida to Trinidad, just off the coast of Venezuela, and back, taking in most of the islands (except Cuba and Haiti) on the way. Tropical rain forests, humming birds, picking bananas, coconuts, swimming with dolphins, snorkelling on a coral reef, going down in a submarine to examine a wreck... it just goes on and on. I’ve also discovered a liking for Reggae music. (Palm trees, sand, surf and tropical heat does that to a fella’... We Be Jammin’!) Of course, there was the show on board – sharing the stage with a belly dancer, a comedienne, a pop singer and hip-hoppers (not all at the same time, I hasten to add!) Unfortunately, there was no time for the necessary rehearsal / sound check, and so on - though it seemed to go okay. But that aside, I had gigs at St Mary’s School in Melrose (before dashing off to catch a flight to Fort Lauderdale.) Melrose to Miami – not bad. There was test filming (sort of screen tests) and production meetings in London. A job at Norton House. And a gig in Ayr. Then it all starts again with a gig on Hogmanay.
xxxxx
So, it’s off into the New Year we all go. May I take this opportunity of wishing each and every one of you all the very best in 2006. DO keep me posted of what's going on in your life. It means a lot to me when you keep in touch... But before we disappear, let’s just take a moment.... Those of you who follow this newsletter will know that I was in the Channel Islands, on the Island of Sark, with some of the world’s top mindreaders – my heroes – earlier this year. We were there as the guests of the remarkably generous and hospitable Peter Willats. Well, on December 16, Peter and his family were the recipients of some horrible news. You can follow 2-year old Issac’s progress and read his diary on this website : www.freewebs.com/isaacwillats (his diary really IS worth reading, believe me.) All he asks for is your prayers, and maybe to drop wee Issac a card or minding in the course of his treatment. How difficult can it be to make a 2-year old feel important? Much obliged.
And while we’re on the subject: I mentioned this last month, but it’s only a few weeks away now. Dunbar-based magician Gladys Chucklebutty (no, that’s not her real name!) is doing a special charity event on Friday, January 6 in aid of the Sick Kids Hospital Cancer ward in Edinburgh. She’s going to be given a 100% genuine purple Mohican haircut – cut, shaved and dyed – no messing. You’ve just GOT to admire that! According to Gladys, "The night will be a Fundraising Frenzy consisting of a Darts Marathon, Raffle, Disco and Gelled Purple Mohican,s For ALL that want them! To help out / Donate or find out more, please call Gladys on Tel / Fax ; 01368 863 757 or Mobile 07971 946 708
Journalist friends on this newsletter – take note.
xxxx
2005 ahas been an absolute blast, and it’s about to get better. See you all next year – if you can catch me!
Best wishes,
Drew
November 2005
WELL, EVERYBODY, JUST TO LET YOU KNOW I’M OFF TO THE CARIBBEAN FOR A FEW WEEKS. ENJOY THE WINTRY WEATHER WHILE I’M GONE, AND HAVE A FABULOUS HOLIDAY SEASON TO YOURSELVES.
Now – this past month....
Here, ye. Oh, hear ye – don’t miss this (especially all you fellow hacks and writers.) I just received a pre-transmission tape of a great new TV programme from my good friend Paul Zenon. Entitled PAUL ZENON’S REVENGE SQUAD, it’s to be shown on ITV on December 23. (putthat date in your diary right now.) I don’t want to give too much away, but take the title of the program, add Paul’s wacky sense of humour... and think of all those things you’d like to do to Traffic Wardens. Done that? Well, you’re not even halfway there! It’s gloriously funny, and if you’ve ever had a parking ticket in your life then you’ll be gleefully applauding him and his team as they wreak their revenge in YOUR name.
Now –for the journo’s who get this: This program deserves some coverage – all greatly appreciated. I’m away to the Caribbean for three weeks, so I can’t be the go-between. However, Paul tells me he has pix if you need ‘em. Also, I can give you his telephone number if you want an interview, but you’re going to have to be AWFULLY quick as I leave early Friday.
Xxx
I forgot how much fun it was. I took my little friend Emily on the Caterpillar (a sort of mini-roller coaster) in Princes Street Gardens Winter Wonderland. It must be one of the most wonderful feelings in the world, having a wide-eyed wee tot clinging to you, excitement and fear all mixed up but perfectly trusting that you will let no harm come to her. Now THAT’s fun!
xxxx
This little diamond just in from top after-dinner speaker and all round good-guy, Len Murray (and author of "The Pleader" an excellent Xmas gift.):A wee Glasgow fellow staggering along the Trongate wearing only one shoe. He meets his pal who asks: "Hiv ye loast a shoe?" "Naw" he replies, "ah found wan".
Xxxx
I always love an optimist. Barry the journalist wants to write a book on my techniques, and me, and we had agreed to hook up with a literary agent at The Rutland in Edinburgh. I was with Barry, while we were waiting on the literary agent turning up, and sitting at the window looking towards Princes Street, we watched a downpour of monsoon proportions. Miserable-faced crowds were scurrying from doorway to doorway, covering their heads with briefcases and newspapers – anything to deflect the onslaught. The sky was so dark it looked bruised. Staring skywards, with a wide grin, Barry said: "We’ll get a rainbow out of this."
Howzat for looking on the bright side?
XXX
Well, I was there, and I know a few of you were, too. What can I say: Steve Harley at the Usher Hall. The gig was, of course, brilliant and I had a chance to meet up with top music journo Billy Sloane again. I had the opportunity to take some "family" backstage after the gig. And here’s the real mark of the man (and the band) in that they took time to chat, and show a real interest in them. Thanks Steve; not all heroes have feet of clay.
Xxxx
Now, here’s a cause well worth supporting. Dunbar-based magician Gladys Chucklebutty (no, that’s not her real name!) is doing a special charity event on Friday, January 6 in aid of the Sick Kids Hospital Cancer ward in Edinburgh. She’s going to be given a 100% genuine purple mohican haircut – cut, shaved and dyed – no messing. You’ve just GOT to admire that! According to Gladys, "The night will be a Fundraising Frenzied consisting of a Darts Marathon, Raffle, Disco and Gelled Purple Mohican,s For ALL that want them !
To help out / Donate or find out more, please call Gladys on Tel / Fax ; 01368 863 757 or Mobile 07971 946 708
Journalist friends on this newsletter – take note.
XXXX
(For those of you who don’t know, a "mentalist" is what I am. In Scotland that means somebody who needs locked up, but elsewhere it is a generic term for a person of offers my brand of ESP / mindreading entertainment.)
A mentalist was out walking in the countryside one day when a frog called out to him. He bent down, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket. The frog called out again, saying, "If you kiss me I shall turn me back into a beautiful princess, and I'll stay with you for a week as your mistress." The mentalist took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it, and put it back into his pocket. The frog called out once more, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you for as long as you wish and do absolutely anything that you want. Again the mentalist took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and put it back. Finally, the frog demanded, "What's the matter? You can turn me back into a beautiful princess, and I'll stay with you forever and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?" to which the mentalist replied, "Understand, I'm a mentalist. I simply don't have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog ....... that's cool"
Xxxx
I had a surprise visitor this month when my old chum Dave Cairns turned up unexpectedly at my office. Thosee of you who know me know my particular penchant for acute observation, so I was rather tickled to notice that his watch was wrong by one hour. Quizzing him, I asked if he’s been turning up late for things recently. Puzzled, he said he hadn’t. I then pointed out that I had observed the fact his watch was out by an hour and my steel-trap mind had deduced that, despite what he said, he MUST have been running early to appointments in that case.... I allowed myself a smug smile, before he pointed out that it was ME who had forgotten to alter his watch when the clocks changed that month... bugger. That explains a few things!
xxx
Well, thanks to SUSIE TOWNSON, an exceptionally efficient and talented TV commissioning agent, I have been up and down to London, attending meetings and pilot filming several times this month. Mind you – what brilliant fun! The programme makers seem mightily impressed and keen to do something, but there’s a problem... They need a format for what I do – some idea that they can actually build a programme or series around. So if any of you have any (serious) suggestions, I’d be glad to hear ‘em. Thanks to my mate Mike Pickford, who just plucked one straight out of the air – the folks in TV land seem to like it, and if it’s a goer he will be duly rewarded.
Xxxx
One of my flights up from Doon Sooth was on the evening of November 5th. Bonfire night. Descending into Edinburgh, I swear the locals were using our plane for target practice with their rockets. All rather disconcerting – but rather pretty, all the same!
xxxx
Hi, and welcome, to new friends who attended this month’s gigs at The Marriot, The Dalmahoy, Peterhead, the EICC and Melville Castle., It was fun, wasn’t it? Thank you for your company and your applause.
XXXX
To all those regular readers of this newsletter, I’m off on a big boat now – swimming with dolphins, whale watching, horse riding through the surf. .etc etc... While I’m away, DO think about dropping me a wee note to let me know what’s going on in your life. It’s the whole reason for this newsletter!
Best wishes,
ENDS
Now – this past month....
Here, ye. Oh, hear ye – don’t miss this (especially all you fellow hacks and writers.) I just received a pre-transmission tape of a great new TV programme from my good friend Paul Zenon. Entitled PAUL ZENON’S REVENGE SQUAD, it’s to be shown on ITV on December 23. (putthat date in your diary right now.) I don’t want to give too much away, but take the title of the program, add Paul’s wacky sense of humour... and think of all those things you’d like to do to Traffic Wardens. Done that? Well, you’re not even halfway there! It’s gloriously funny, and if you’ve ever had a parking ticket in your life then you’ll be gleefully applauding him and his team as they wreak their revenge in YOUR name.
Now –for the journo’s who get this: This program deserves some coverage – all greatly appreciated. I’m away to the Caribbean for three weeks, so I can’t be the go-between. However, Paul tells me he has pix if you need ‘em. Also, I can give you his telephone number if you want an interview, but you’re going to have to be AWFULLY quick as I leave early Friday.
Xxx
I forgot how much fun it was. I took my little friend Emily on the Caterpillar (a sort of mini-roller coaster) in Princes Street Gardens Winter Wonderland. It must be one of the most wonderful feelings in the world, having a wide-eyed wee tot clinging to you, excitement and fear all mixed up but perfectly trusting that you will let no harm come to her. Now THAT’s fun!
xxxx
This little diamond just in from top after-dinner speaker and all round good-guy, Len Murray (and author of "The Pleader" an excellent Xmas gift.):A wee Glasgow fellow staggering along the Trongate wearing only one shoe. He meets his pal who asks: "Hiv ye loast a shoe?" "Naw" he replies, "ah found wan".
Xxxx
I always love an optimist. Barry the journalist wants to write a book on my techniques, and me, and we had agreed to hook up with a literary agent at The Rutland in Edinburgh. I was with Barry, while we were waiting on the literary agent turning up, and sitting at the window looking towards Princes Street, we watched a downpour of monsoon proportions. Miserable-faced crowds were scurrying from doorway to doorway, covering their heads with briefcases and newspapers – anything to deflect the onslaught. The sky was so dark it looked bruised. Staring skywards, with a wide grin, Barry said: "We’ll get a rainbow out of this."
Howzat for looking on the bright side?
XXX
Well, I was there, and I know a few of you were, too. What can I say: Steve Harley at the Usher Hall. The gig was, of course, brilliant and I had a chance to meet up with top music journo Billy Sloane again. I had the opportunity to take some "family" backstage after the gig. And here’s the real mark of the man (and the band) in that they took time to chat, and show a real interest in them. Thanks Steve; not all heroes have feet of clay.
Xxxx
Now, here’s a cause well worth supporting. Dunbar-based magician Gladys Chucklebutty (no, that’s not her real name!) is doing a special charity event on Friday, January 6 in aid of the Sick Kids Hospital Cancer ward in Edinburgh. She’s going to be given a 100% genuine purple mohican haircut – cut, shaved and dyed – no messing. You’ve just GOT to admire that! According to Gladys, "The night will be a Fundraising Frenzied consisting of a Darts Marathon, Raffle, Disco and Gelled Purple Mohican,s For ALL that want them !
To help out / Donate or find out more, please call Gladys on Tel / Fax ; 01368 863 757 or Mobile 07971 946 708
Journalist friends on this newsletter – take note.
XXXX
(For those of you who don’t know, a "mentalist" is what I am. In Scotland that means somebody who needs locked up, but elsewhere it is a generic term for a person of offers my brand of ESP / mindreading entertainment.)
A mentalist was out walking in the countryside one day when a frog called out to him. He bent down, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket. The frog called out again, saying, "If you kiss me I shall turn me back into a beautiful princess, and I'll stay with you for a week as your mistress." The mentalist took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it, and put it back into his pocket. The frog called out once more, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you for as long as you wish and do absolutely anything that you want. Again the mentalist took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and put it back. Finally, the frog demanded, "What's the matter? You can turn me back into a beautiful princess, and I'll stay with you forever and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?" to which the mentalist replied, "Understand, I'm a mentalist. I simply don't have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog ....... that's cool"
Xxxx
I had a surprise visitor this month when my old chum Dave Cairns turned up unexpectedly at my office. Thosee of you who know me know my particular penchant for acute observation, so I was rather tickled to notice that his watch was wrong by one hour. Quizzing him, I asked if he’s been turning up late for things recently. Puzzled, he said he hadn’t. I then pointed out that I had observed the fact his watch was out by an hour and my steel-trap mind had deduced that, despite what he said, he MUST have been running early to appointments in that case.... I allowed myself a smug smile, before he pointed out that it was ME who had forgotten to alter his watch when the clocks changed that month... bugger. That explains a few things!
xxx
Well, thanks to SUSIE TOWNSON, an exceptionally efficient and talented TV commissioning agent, I have been up and down to London, attending meetings and pilot filming several times this month. Mind you – what brilliant fun! The programme makers seem mightily impressed and keen to do something, but there’s a problem... They need a format for what I do – some idea that they can actually build a programme or series around. So if any of you have any (serious) suggestions, I’d be glad to hear ‘em. Thanks to my mate Mike Pickford, who just plucked one straight out of the air – the folks in TV land seem to like it, and if it’s a goer he will be duly rewarded.
Xxxx
One of my flights up from Doon Sooth was on the evening of November 5th. Bonfire night. Descending into Edinburgh, I swear the locals were using our plane for target practice with their rockets. All rather disconcerting – but rather pretty, all the same!
xxxx
Hi, and welcome, to new friends who attended this month’s gigs at The Marriot, The Dalmahoy, Peterhead, the EICC and Melville Castle., It was fun, wasn’t it? Thank you for your company and your applause.
XXXX
To all those regular readers of this newsletter, I’m off on a big boat now – swimming with dolphins, whale watching, horse riding through the surf. .etc etc... While I’m away, DO think about dropping me a wee note to let me know what’s going on in your life. It’s the whole reason for this newsletter!
Best wishes,
ENDS
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Ocotober 2005
Special Mentions:
STEVE HARLEY
HORSE
LEN (THE SILVER FOX) MURRAY
PAUL ZENON
ALAN CLEARY
SUSIE TOWNSON
MARTHA MORRISON
JOHN ARCHER
BARRY CRYER
Right – last chance. I’ve been telling you fellow Scots for the last two months, and I know many of you have already made arrangements... STEVE HARLEY and COCKNEY REBEL ARE PLAYING THE USHER HALL, 2EDINBURGH – ON WEDNESDAY 2ND of NOVEMBER. Dunfermline Carnegie Hall – Thursday 3rd. For those of you in the West of Scotland, it’s Renfrew Ferry, Glasgow, on the 6th. So, if you want to hear great music and see a fantastic performance that you’ll be telling your friends about for months to come, get your tickets NOW. Okay? More info (plus a few words of mine regarding the brilliant new album at www.steveharley.com). But for those of you who missed it you’ll be able to read my pal Barry’s red-hot review in The Daily Record the following day. And if you DO miss it, then prepare to kick yourself. Or, better, get somebody else to do it for you.
And while we’re on the subject, another wonderful act to catch, is HORSE, playing the QUEEN’S HALL, EDINBURGH on Monday the 7th. Both acts are well worth catching if you like good music.
Another thing well worth catching is my good pal PAUL ZENON who will be on Countdown on Channel 4 on November 11th. (He tells me he’s also recording Through The Keyhole – so we can ALL see what kind of pig sty the man lives in! – only kidding, Paul!)
****
JOKE
This joke comes to you, courtesy of LEN (THE SILVER FOX) MURRAY. (His book "The Pleader comes highly recommended). Blame him, not me!
Harry and his mates from Cardenden Miners Welfare Club had saved their money in a big jar to go to Spain on a wee holiday. And as the 27 of them stood outside the Nueva Andalucia Plaza Hotel near Puerto Banus Harry got a nudge from his mate...."There’s big Sean Connery" "Naw it’s no’" says Harry . "Aye it is "says his mate. "Right enough so it is," says Harry. Harry goes up to the big man and says "Hello, Shane, we’re fae Cardenden Miners’ Welfare. Ah wonder if we could have a picture" "No" says Connery "I don't do that sort of thing now." "Aw come oan, Shane jist wan. We’ve come a’ the wey fae Fife." pleads Harry "Oh ok just one" says James Bond Harry hands Connery the camera, runs back to the group and shouts "Mind you get us aw in big man!!!"
****
TESTIMONIAL THAT MADE ME GLOW ALL OVER
I had a wonderful testimonial from ALAN CLEARY (You’ll know a little bit about this amazing character if you read last month’s newsletter.) "Drew McAdam was amazing. I have never seen an audience so stunned to silence…..and these were cynical "seen-it-all-before" insurance people. The effect that Drew’s performance had on them was absolutely astounding."
Thanks, Alan. The cheque is in the post!
Xxxxx
A REAL SCARE AT HALLOWEEN
A Halloween party... it was fun, though. They had a surprise for me halfway through the evening. They said they had a special guest arriving, so we all took our places, the music I use for opening my bigger shows came on, and into the room came... ME! Well, not me, but MARTHA MORRISON, dressed in black, wearing a life-size, full-colour mask of my face and carrying a spoon. She then proceeded to bend the spoon by rubbing it – I couldn’t believe it. It turns out that she had bought the spoon from a magic shop – it has a hinge in it – and she and her partner David had made the mask. It was one of the funniest and most disconcerting things I’ve ever experienced. Thanks, Martha, for taking the time to do that – it really was appreciated.
Xxxx
WORKING HARD ON MY BEHALF
I Had a very busy time down in London – and beyond – recently, thanks to the outstanding hard work and determination of TV Commissioning Agent SUSIE TOWNSON of Plus Talent, I had a host of appointments with various TV people, from the BBC to Granada. This meant two days of running from production company to production company in what was the most glorious summer weather (meanwhile, back home in Scotland, they had storms and horizontal rain... tough, eh?) There’s lots and lots more to come next month – meetings with producers, that is, not sunny weather. So, I’ll be South of the Border a lot in the coming months, so much so that I’ll probably even figure out the London Tube system. Thanks, Susie.
xxx
TO THE HOSPITAL – AND STEP ON IT
My Grandson gave us all a spectacular fright this month (last month it was a different grandson, Robbie, who got the top off the "child-proof" bottle and swallowed all the aspirins thinking they were sweeties.) Neee-naaaw Neee-Nawww – Kirkcaldy Hospital. "We need special care..." Neee-naaaw Neee -Nawww – Dunfermline hospital.
This month it was the turn of young Nathan. Having received his MMR inoculation promptly came out in an impressive rash, and a sky-high temperature... (Meningitis? They all wondered.) Neee-naaaw Neee-Nawww – Falkirk Hospital. "Eeek – we dunno what this is... "Neee-naaaw Neee-Nawww – Stirling hospital. There followed a worrying time as he grew worse, with drips and barrier nursing before he suddenly improved and was back to his old self. What’s coming next? I have no idea, but I bet it involves one of the kids and Neee-naaaw Neee-Nawww – hospital.
xxxx
A FUNNY MAN
Managed to meet up with top entertainer JOHN ARCHER. Honestly, I don’t think I know anybody with such a finely honed – and pure fun – sense of humour. I worked with him on The Island of Sark (Channel Islands) in the early summer, and his act is out of this world. Genuinely "nice" and superbly talented, if ever you get the chance to se him (He’s on SKY TV a fair bit) then do. . You can check out his web site at www.john-archer.com.
John, it was an honour and a privilege.
xxxx
THANKS BARRY
The Daily Record are doing a double-page feature on me – sometime before Christmas. However, it’s all written (well done, Barry!) and the photographs all taken, so it’s just a matter of waiting till they find a slot. Having read what Barry’s written, it looks like a really good piece, though. Can’t wait to see the results of the photo-shoot!
xxxx
THIS MONTHS GIGS
The month kicked off with a gig a
The MANSEFIELD TRAQUHAIR, in Edinburgh. There was also a cracking gig at The ART GALLERY in Aberdeen. From way up there, the next gig was way down there at OXENFOORD CASTLE near The Borders. (While there, a helicopter came in with my old mucker Gus at the joystick – good to see you again, Gus!) Big gig in the ancient MERCHANT ADVENTURER’S HALL in YORK. Tickets £65, by the way! I was on there with the wonderful BARRY CRYER. For those of you who don’t know, Barry has written for people such as Dave Allen, Stanley Baxter, Jack Benny, Rory Bremner, George Burns (Yes, THE George Burns), Jasper Carrott, Tommy Cooper, Les Dawson, Dick Emery, Kenny Everett, Bruce Forsyth, David Frost, Bob Hope (Yes, THE Bob Hope), Frankie Howard, Richard Pryor, Mike Yarwood, The Two Ronnies and Morecambe and Wise. So you would expect somebody who doesn’t talk to mere mortals... I had to follow Barry, so you can imagine my concerns. However, typical of the man, he signed something for me along the lines of: "I’ll never follow you!". And also typical of the man, by the time I got back to my office there was a message on my voicemail – I hope you don’t mind me saying this, Barry – thanking me for my company. How many real showbiz superstars would take the time and effort to do THAT? That will give some indication of what a gentleman he is - a real pro, and a lovely, lovely man, too. Besides being a genuinely nice bloke, he’s also extremely talented and very, very funny – which explains why he’s been in the business for so long. We had been given accommodation in the same hotel, and were driven to and from the venue in the same car, so I was blessed with quite a bit of time in his company. We really hit it off, and I’ve got a new friend! What a brilliant industry this is in which I work!
There was a nice little gig at the DALMAHOY Hotel for a small group of medical people. It was one of the best, and I couldn’t get away because they had so many questions. I love that kind of gig!
There was another gig at The DALMAHOY, two gigs per day over two days. Nice work if you can get it.
The EDINBURGH MARRIOT was next – this was a series of four workshops, of which I was one – the delegates changing rooms each hour, on the hour. This meant performing four gigs back-to-back. Phew! Now THAT’s hard work – but a lot of fun!
From the four gigs at the Marriot it was a rush over to THE APEX for another performance.
A series of gigs on the same day seems to be becoming the norm, because in one day I also had the ARTHOUSE HOTEL in Glasgow for a group of 30, then straight up to the DUNBLANE HILTON – and a gig for over 300.
Last, but not least, there was a gig at The THANESTONE HOUSE HOTEL in INVERURIE. (I had a superb room with a 4-poster and a Jacuzzi (sigh) what a drag. Heee Heee)
XXXX
Thanks for your company. I look forward to hearing from you, letting me know what’s being going on in your life.
Best wishes,
Drew
ENDS
STEVE HARLEY
HORSE
LEN (THE SILVER FOX) MURRAY
PAUL ZENON
ALAN CLEARY
SUSIE TOWNSON
MARTHA MORRISON
JOHN ARCHER
BARRY CRYER
Right – last chance. I’ve been telling you fellow Scots for the last two months, and I know many of you have already made arrangements... STEVE HARLEY and COCKNEY REBEL ARE PLAYING THE USHER HALL, 2EDINBURGH – ON WEDNESDAY 2ND of NOVEMBER. Dunfermline Carnegie Hall – Thursday 3rd. For those of you in the West of Scotland, it’s Renfrew Ferry, Glasgow, on the 6th. So, if you want to hear great music and see a fantastic performance that you’ll be telling your friends about for months to come, get your tickets NOW. Okay? More info (plus a few words of mine regarding the brilliant new album at www.steveharley.com). But for those of you who missed it you’ll be able to read my pal Barry’s red-hot review in The Daily Record the following day. And if you DO miss it, then prepare to kick yourself. Or, better, get somebody else to do it for you.
And while we’re on the subject, another wonderful act to catch, is HORSE, playing the QUEEN’S HALL, EDINBURGH on Monday the 7th. Both acts are well worth catching if you like good music.
Another thing well worth catching is my good pal PAUL ZENON who will be on Countdown on Channel 4 on November 11th. (He tells me he’s also recording Through The Keyhole – so we can ALL see what kind of pig sty the man lives in! – only kidding, Paul!)
****
JOKE
This joke comes to you, courtesy of LEN (THE SILVER FOX) MURRAY. (His book "The Pleader comes highly recommended). Blame him, not me!
Harry and his mates from Cardenden Miners Welfare Club had saved their money in a big jar to go to Spain on a wee holiday. And as the 27 of them stood outside the Nueva Andalucia Plaza Hotel near Puerto Banus Harry got a nudge from his mate...."There’s big Sean Connery" "Naw it’s no’" says Harry . "Aye it is "says his mate. "Right enough so it is," says Harry. Harry goes up to the big man and says "Hello, Shane, we’re fae Cardenden Miners’ Welfare. Ah wonder if we could have a picture" "No" says Connery "I don't do that sort of thing now." "Aw come oan, Shane jist wan. We’ve come a’ the wey fae Fife." pleads Harry "Oh ok just one" says James Bond Harry hands Connery the camera, runs back to the group and shouts "Mind you get us aw in big man!!!"
****
TESTIMONIAL THAT MADE ME GLOW ALL OVER
I had a wonderful testimonial from ALAN CLEARY (You’ll know a little bit about this amazing character if you read last month’s newsletter.) "Drew McAdam was amazing. I have never seen an audience so stunned to silence…..and these were cynical "seen-it-all-before" insurance people. The effect that Drew’s performance had on them was absolutely astounding."
Thanks, Alan. The cheque is in the post!
Xxxxx
A REAL SCARE AT HALLOWEEN
A Halloween party... it was fun, though. They had a surprise for me halfway through the evening. They said they had a special guest arriving, so we all took our places, the music I use for opening my bigger shows came on, and into the room came... ME! Well, not me, but MARTHA MORRISON, dressed in black, wearing a life-size, full-colour mask of my face and carrying a spoon. She then proceeded to bend the spoon by rubbing it – I couldn’t believe it. It turns out that she had bought the spoon from a magic shop – it has a hinge in it – and she and her partner David had made the mask. It was one of the funniest and most disconcerting things I’ve ever experienced. Thanks, Martha, for taking the time to do that – it really was appreciated.
Xxxx
WORKING HARD ON MY BEHALF
I Had a very busy time down in London – and beyond – recently, thanks to the outstanding hard work and determination of TV Commissioning Agent SUSIE TOWNSON of Plus Talent, I had a host of appointments with various TV people, from the BBC to Granada. This meant two days of running from production company to production company in what was the most glorious summer weather (meanwhile, back home in Scotland, they had storms and horizontal rain... tough, eh?) There’s lots and lots more to come next month – meetings with producers, that is, not sunny weather. So, I’ll be South of the Border a lot in the coming months, so much so that I’ll probably even figure out the London Tube system. Thanks, Susie.
xxx
TO THE HOSPITAL – AND STEP ON IT
My Grandson gave us all a spectacular fright this month (last month it was a different grandson, Robbie, who got the top off the "child-proof" bottle and swallowed all the aspirins thinking they were sweeties.) Neee-naaaw Neee-Nawww – Kirkcaldy Hospital. "We need special care..." Neee-naaaw Neee -Nawww – Dunfermline hospital.
This month it was the turn of young Nathan. Having received his MMR inoculation promptly came out in an impressive rash, and a sky-high temperature... (Meningitis? They all wondered.) Neee-naaaw Neee-Nawww – Falkirk Hospital. "Eeek – we dunno what this is... "Neee-naaaw Neee-Nawww – Stirling hospital. There followed a worrying time as he grew worse, with drips and barrier nursing before he suddenly improved and was back to his old self. What’s coming next? I have no idea, but I bet it involves one of the kids and Neee-naaaw Neee-Nawww – hospital.
xxxx
A FUNNY MAN
Managed to meet up with top entertainer JOHN ARCHER. Honestly, I don’t think I know anybody with such a finely honed – and pure fun – sense of humour. I worked with him on The Island of Sark (Channel Islands) in the early summer, and his act is out of this world. Genuinely "nice" and superbly talented, if ever you get the chance to se him (He’s on SKY TV a fair bit) then do. . You can check out his web site at www.john-archer.com.
John, it was an honour and a privilege.
xxxx
THANKS BARRY
The Daily Record are doing a double-page feature on me – sometime before Christmas. However, it’s all written (well done, Barry!) and the photographs all taken, so it’s just a matter of waiting till they find a slot. Having read what Barry’s written, it looks like a really good piece, though. Can’t wait to see the results of the photo-shoot!
xxxx
THIS MONTHS GIGS
The month kicked off with a gig a
The MANSEFIELD TRAQUHAIR, in Edinburgh. There was also a cracking gig at The ART GALLERY in Aberdeen. From way up there, the next gig was way down there at OXENFOORD CASTLE near The Borders. (While there, a helicopter came in with my old mucker Gus at the joystick – good to see you again, Gus!) Big gig in the ancient MERCHANT ADVENTURER’S HALL in YORK. Tickets £65, by the way! I was on there with the wonderful BARRY CRYER. For those of you who don’t know, Barry has written for people such as Dave Allen, Stanley Baxter, Jack Benny, Rory Bremner, George Burns (Yes, THE George Burns), Jasper Carrott, Tommy Cooper, Les Dawson, Dick Emery, Kenny Everett, Bruce Forsyth, David Frost, Bob Hope (Yes, THE Bob Hope), Frankie Howard, Richard Pryor, Mike Yarwood, The Two Ronnies and Morecambe and Wise. So you would expect somebody who doesn’t talk to mere mortals... I had to follow Barry, so you can imagine my concerns. However, typical of the man, he signed something for me along the lines of: "I’ll never follow you!". And also typical of the man, by the time I got back to my office there was a message on my voicemail – I hope you don’t mind me saying this, Barry – thanking me for my company. How many real showbiz superstars would take the time and effort to do THAT? That will give some indication of what a gentleman he is - a real pro, and a lovely, lovely man, too. Besides being a genuinely nice bloke, he’s also extremely talented and very, very funny – which explains why he’s been in the business for so long. We had been given accommodation in the same hotel, and were driven to and from the venue in the same car, so I was blessed with quite a bit of time in his company. We really hit it off, and I’ve got a new friend! What a brilliant industry this is in which I work!
There was a nice little gig at the DALMAHOY Hotel for a small group of medical people. It was one of the best, and I couldn’t get away because they had so many questions. I love that kind of gig!
There was another gig at The DALMAHOY, two gigs per day over two days. Nice work if you can get it.
The EDINBURGH MARRIOT was next – this was a series of four workshops, of which I was one – the delegates changing rooms each hour, on the hour. This meant performing four gigs back-to-back. Phew! Now THAT’s hard work – but a lot of fun!
From the four gigs at the Marriot it was a rush over to THE APEX for another performance.
A series of gigs on the same day seems to be becoming the norm, because in one day I also had the ARTHOUSE HOTEL in Glasgow for a group of 30, then straight up to the DUNBLANE HILTON – and a gig for over 300.
Last, but not least, there was a gig at The THANESTONE HOUSE HOTEL in INVERURIE. (I had a superb room with a 4-poster and a Jacuzzi (sigh) what a drag. Heee Heee)
XXXX
Thanks for your company. I look forward to hearing from you, letting me know what’s being going on in your life.
Best wishes,
Drew
ENDS
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