Rod Woodward

Hi folks. Well here it is and long overdue. My first proper web message. Quite a few things to say, but first things first (wow I've use the word 'first' three times in the first few lines - five times if you count this sentence. I wonder if that's been done before. Well... there's a first for everything!)

Anyway, my fir-eh 'premier' priority is to thank Keith Harris my web designer for doing such a FIRST (doh!) class job. A real wiz and a top bloke to boot. I think he should ditch Orville for good and stick to the computer! Thanks again Keith.

The reason I have been so late with this entry is literally because I have been eyeball busy. As anyone is this business will tell you, the run up to Christmas is always hectic but this year has been nothing short of mental thanks to a stroke of good fortune a few months back. I was speaking at a lunch for Moorhouses' Brewery in Bury and happened to be sat with the VVVIP celebrity guest Paddy McGuinness who was putting in an appearance as a favour for a friend. He's a great guy and I really enjoyed his company all afternoon. More importantly he seemed to enjoy my contribution. Fast forward six months or so and I've just completed the 1st half of a 50 date national tour as Paddy's support. And what a month its's been.

We've done some fantastic venues in front of some fantastic people, all the while working with the fantastic team of the Padmeister, his brother Tony (my dressing room bud, personal minder and all round great mate), our unflappably nice tour manager Dan and diamond geezer merchandise manager Simon.

Special thanks to Paddy for spotting me and giving me the chance to do my stuff in front of thousands of lovely people at a time. Thanks also for suggesting this site and introducing me to the devilish work that is SKY PLUS. Cheers mate!

Which brings me on to the Pad's fans who came to see us on the tour. Well, came to see him and very graciously put up with me. When you've spent your hard earned cash to come and see your favorite comic I guess hearing the words, "And now please welcome your support act for this evening" is bit like the feeling you got up at 5am on Christmas morning when your parents told you to go back to bed for a few hours before they let you open your presents. Still, that's not how it seemed because the response I had has been AMAZING, and I've been delightfully shocked by all the feedback, reviews and messages I've received. Thank you very, very much! The tour resumes next year in March and I'm really look forward to picking up where we left off.

I'd also like to take this opportunity (at the risk of this sounding a bit Oscars) to thank my family and friends for their support, particularly my mum, dad, sister and my wonderful wife Debbie (being away was the hardest bit as we've never been apart for more than a night or two before). Still, she managed to join me for quite a few nights on tour, as did my recently retired Dad, Karl, who joined me for the last 7 nights. We should have shares in Travelodges, Showcase cinemas and Little Chef and would be well qualified as movie critics or gourmet reviewers (providing the food in question is the £4.99 Brunch Munch) I guess we're the Welsh answer to Max and Paddy on the road.

As soon as the tour finished I disappeared to Ireland with some friends for a few days chillin' (and for material research). I'd never been to Dublin before. What a place ...Someone said the Irish discovered civilisation then had a few Guinness and forgot where they put it!

As I write this, I'm sat on the Newport to Paddington train on my way to do the Builders conference annual lunch at the Cafe Royal, London. I'm sat alongside a group of five middle aged women from Somerset who are nattering, giggling and eagerly anticipating their Christmas shopping trip highlighted by such occasional west squeals as, "you could buy ur 'ubby somefin from Ann Summers frighten the buggerrrr arrrf to death!"
I hope the Builders will be in such fine humour.

I've got another 9 private gigs like this one before the Christmas break .....which,as a real festive fan, I'm really looking forward to. In the meantime I must find the time to put up the outside lights (my brilliantly organised wife has done everything else), finish my cards and reply to the post tour messages people have sent...But no.1 priority: my list to Santa (before the Rupert Annuals run out). So until my next message, I'd just like to wish you and yours all the best of everything for Christmas and the New Year.
Ho, Ho, Ho. Rod

Posted by Rod Woodward on 09/12/2005