Marmalade Au Marsellaise!

Evening Strumpets,

Just noticed that this mental old blog has recently passed the 20,000 visits from places as far apart as Thirsk to Northallerton, Amazing. But really, what an amazing year.

We've managed to get regular paid gigs.  Have songs played on Local Radio and BBC Local Radio. Record a 4 track EP which we personally think is amazing.  Have the CD played at our workplaces when they didn't know we were in there. Have a CD Launch night headlining with the most amazing bands and artists in Teesside.  Have an X Factor Finalist support us at a gig in Boro (aw what the hell, it was Abi Alton about three months before she went on and frankly should have won, as well as headlined the night we played)!  Be on iTunes.  Have our kids come to a Festival we played, at which I camped with my boy Hal for the first time ever and for that reason for me was the best gig of the year.

More importantly as I was reminded by that most Grumpiest of Charmers, Carl, the other night, We've just had the most fun playing our own songs with our oldest mates and usually to our newest mates (Simon Mason, you are an obvious exception which makes the rule).

Thanks must go to:

The Charmer's Wives and Families; We have put you all through so much that you must really love us, though you always lead the dancing when you come and see us.

Steve Hoggart who was patience personified throughout the recording of the EP.

Leon Pape, Matt Speight and Daniel Cook for their relentless support, encouragement, and work in getting us to play live supporting the finest music I defy you to find anywhere in this Land.  Mint, boosh, and Nirvana to the triptych!

Angie and John Taylor for having confidence in us.

Snowy for providing the perfect template that we can give Sound engineers whenever we turn up at gigs with our proverbial banjo's in our hands.

EXNE and, particularly, James Poppleton (who is 47), Cat McGuinness, Paul Bradley and Paul Mcquade for being the Trampagne champions of the year.

And finally, Ian, Lily, Tommy, Dave, and Mary for being the reasons we are who we are.  They'll be playing the Ep up there, but Tommy will be looking in the celestial wardrobe to see if anyone is hiding in there, whilst Dave is booking the Monday night turns!

Thank you all, you lovely bunch of Strumpets, here's the last vid from the O'Connells gig which may well be one of our highlights of playing live, for this year.  As the Gentleman likes to shout at the end "ONE MORE SONG!!!!!"  if you can leave them shouting that, then you must be doing something right.



Till the next one, learn something new,

Mark.