Yesterday I went to support my friend (& bassist) Jack Bird at the Seven Stars in Bristol. It turned out to be an excellent afternoon of music and I fortunately got to catch up with a lot of the people whose gigs I had to cancel lately - so it was an opportunity to explain myself. For those of you that weren’t there (and may I say a big thank you to the Get Well messages I’ve received over the 4 months I’ve been out of action) thought I’d use this space to dispell any myths that seem to be making the rounds. I stopped gigs (against my will) because I was physically too unwell. In chronological order (with overlaps): Flu; Chest Infection; Pleurisy; Gastro-entiritis; Shingles; Anaemia; Kidney Stones (PAINFUL!); Arhythmia. . . These things happen, eh.

But I’m back now - not that easy to kill off, me!  ;-)  Forgive me though if I take my foot off the gas for a bit - there’s a reason my body broke!!! It’s understandably quite hard to appreciate sometimes I know, but even when it doesn’t look as though I’m doing anything at all the fact is I never stop working. Picture a duck on the surface of a pond, to the eye serenely floating about when in fact he’s paddling like mad underneath just to stay afloat! The same is true of many of us I know - we are all the same. I guess the message here is Don’t Paddle So Hard You Forget To Stop And Get Your Plankton!

Lol.

Gigs are starting to pile up from May onwards - I’ll let you know about these nearer the time - including some interesting side projects … And of course the mythic Album is due to become reality very soon. I have been writing a hell of a lot lately too so there is plenty more new stuff on the way. I’ve got back to work with my band also (Benita Johnson & Company) - who have all been very stoic

This weekend was, I think, the start of the Chinese New Year (Tiger). Since Western New Year wasn’t so hot for me I’m taking this as the point where I review where I’ve been and make resolutions for where I’m going. Change takes time. Overall I’ve invested a lot of time, effort, ££ and heart into the music side of things. If you believe that your rewards are always in proportion to your investments, stands to reason that nothing is for nothing. I believe that.

x Bj x

Happy New Year everybody! Best of health & happiness to you all!

Once again gigs are cancelled for January and the forseeable future (not too long hopefully) until my own health has returned … I will keep you posted.

I’ve had to make the very difficult decision to cancel all gigs for the rest of the year. It seems the only sensible thing to do under the circumstances but it’s a right shame as I’d been really looking forward to these live dates … I have been very ill though and still am it seems, so I really have no choice. The odd bug doesn’t usually stop me, but this is something else.

Nevermind! I will recover. Meanwhile, stay tuned as I will have some more news for you soon …

Once again massive apologies but I am cancelling the next Label 5 gig in Frome on Thursday 12th Nov.

I hate to do this but I have no choice due to illness. Hope to be back with you soon!

B

Well I guess there will be times like these… another gig cancelled (Label 5 this Tuesday in Bristol).

This time it’s because I have  swine-flu.

Hopefully all better in time for our gig in Frome the following week … I’ll keep you posted

Sorry to have to let you know this a bit late in the day, hopefully no-one will turn up and be disappointed… the gig at Cafe Grounded in Redfield this Tuesday has been cancelled. Mireille (host) tells me this was a decision by the venue.

I just wanted to take the time to say a big thank you to everyone who attended my gig at the Piano Bar, Old Bath Arms in Frome on Thursday.

CONGRATULATIONS especially to the happy couple who are tying the knot this weekend! And a special THANK YOU and YOU’RE WELCOME to LEE.

DAVID it was very good to see you too and I wish you all the very best. Hope you like the CD. :) 

Thanks also to Poppa Shep (Terry) and his band Liquid Earth for taking the time to say hi and for being so appreciative.

Thanks also to Anna, as always for putting the night on and to Matt for the pix.

UPDATE: The Benita Johnson & Company gig @ The Kellaway on 1st Oct is CANCELLED. This is due to licensing issues with the venue which are currently being resolved.

The next BJ & Co gig will be 9th Oct @ The Robins.

We are now also billed to play at The Seven Stars on Sunday 25th Oct.

Between 9 & 10pm on Thursday 8th October I will be being interviewed & playing live on Bristol’s BCFM - the Dave Miles show. I have NO IDEA what he’s going to ask me! But I’ll be sure to play something new for you.

So tune in, turn up … That’s 93.2 by the way!

I would like to say a big thank you to the lovely people who booked me to play at their private party in Bristol last night. Thank you also to the guests for all being really helpful and appreciative. Thanks also to the staff and crew of the Tower Belle for being so understanding and so particularly thoughtful.

I had a great evening and I sincerely hope that you all did too!

Bj