Loads of Bop!!

Yep - I've uploaded info on a few more CDs that can be added to your collection via Music King on the Shop 2 heading on the main page. There's some good stuff on there - Katmen with Stray Cats legend, Slim Jim Phantom; legendary radio DJ, Mike Read and I recorded an album earlier this year and it's a terrific CD; Mouse Zinn and his fantastic Rockabilly album, The Embassy Recordings is one of the best I've played on; and The Songs Of Tony Linder has been expanded and released as a 12 track CD; and my own Heatwave Mama CD that was released a few years back and deserves a listen as it's a cute little collection of bop.

So lot's and lot's of really good albums added that I hope you will consider purchasing as it'll keep me in warm socks and able to eat the odd takeaway every now and then. 

Myself and Graham Dominy (my co-producer at Embassy Studios) have decided to set up a website in order to provide Rockabilly/Rock n Roll backing tracks. There seems to be more and more singers out there that are going out to the Rock n Roll clubs with backing tracks and we want to provide authentic versions of our favourite Rockabilly songs for them. If you're a budding singer and have always wanted to hear how you sound singing along to your favourite Rockabilly songs, then this website and the backing tracks included will also do the trick.

It can be found here - www.vintagebackingtracks.com - and have a look at what is on there and hopefully there'll be a few tracks that will suit your tastes!

We're thrilled to announce to the entire universe that we've found a new Bop Beater for The Enforcers - Tony Hillebrandt. 

Tony has been on the Rockabilly scene for a good while now and has made his name with bands such as Jack Rabbit Slim and Jesse & The Orbits, as well as backing many top rockin' artists over the years. 

He's an incredibly diverse drummer and will be invaluable to us as we carry on plying our trade throughout the UK and Europe as the year enfolds.

He also now becomes the youngest member of the band. Unfortunately, Adam has been replaced as the young 'un. Adam wore the badge of pride of being the youngest Enforcer, pinned to his youthful chest for many years. It has cruelly snatched away by Tony - not that Tony knew much about it, nor had any say in the matter.

Of course, in my head I shall always be 25 years old. So I shall rely on both Tony and Adam to carry me onstage and walk me out to the van after the gig if my slightly befuddled 25 year old brain can't remember where it is or who I once was.. 

Whilst this is not strictly new news as such, I felt it was worth mentioning.

Those of you that have seen us live in recent months will have noticed a very hairy-faced Adam on bass. I think the general consensus amongst his many fans around the galaxy is that it makes him look very regal, almost King-like.

So had he been born during the Medieval times, he may well have been known as King Adam - The Bop Slapper, as all Kings back then had a quirky adage after their name to let you know what they excelled at. Like King Henry VIII - Wife Killer. That sort of thing.

Yes, after 15 months of enforced (!) retirement, gigs are back.

But what is a gig, I hear you all cry. Well, once upon a time, many people used to gather in a hall - like a community centre, pub, large living room or kitchen - and watch talented musical types play their instruments and sing songs. People would pay to watch and listen for this  privilege as these musical types had spent many years learning their craft, often ignoring the world and everyone in it in order to practise 28 hours a day to become entertainers with musical instruments, causing great relief and merriment for those watching and listening. 

But humans are now starting to reacquaint themselves with the concept of  fun. A Gig - a term used to describe a musical event in which people pay to enter - it seems is very close to the top of the list of things people have missed greatly. And they will return, albeit with some form of restriction initially - those attending musical events must wear full body amour and a gasmask. You will not be able to look at another person in the room in case you burst into flames. You cannot dance or hum along to the music. You must order an egg sandwich but beer is forbidden. If you cannot find a gasmask, a deep sea diving helmet will be provided at the door. Bands must set up four miles away from the audience. The drummer, five miles back from the other band members. 

Adam, Rob and myself have booked a space flight back from Planet Bop, out in the far reaches of the galaxy near to the Shatner System and we will arrive back in time for our first live gig in 15 months - for the wonderful people at South Coast Rockers on June 6th, a Sunday afternoon show that starts at 3pm. We will be rusty, no doubt. But our joy and enthusiasm should see us through.

We look forward to this momentous return to Rock n Roll - as the great Danny & The Juniors once sang, will never die.

I'm very pleased to announce on here that I have a guitar tuition book avaiable for sale via Amazon. You can purchase a copy here - https://geni.us/rockabilly - and audio downloads come with it to help demonstrate the various licks. 

It has been released for awhile now and has been very successful in the various Amazon book charts, with lots of very positive reviews, I'm pleased to say.

My thanks go out to Joseph and Tim at https://www.fundamental-changes.com/ for all their hard work in making this happen.