Dear NWBN,

This is Mike O'Reilly dropping a line to say what a great time we had on our spring tour of Britain (see reports with photos: Liverpool | Nottingham/Scotland). I must emphasize how welcoming everyone was on the whole tour. British bluegrass fans can be proud that they don't have to take a back seat to anyone anywhere in the world when it comes to bluegrass knowledge. Also, they sure know how to make a group of musicians feel appreciated! In every venue we went the audience were respectfull of the performance and listened attentively while the tunes were played.

I must give a gret big 'thank you' to Dave Bresnan and family for setting up this tour. It takes a great deal of time and effort to organize theses things and Dave did just that! Without him we never would have had the chance to come over to Britain, so once again Dave....well done! Dick and Ray had never been to the UK and I echo their sentiments by saying "Gee, I hope we can go back someday"!

To everyone that came out to see our band, and all the promoters, please accept our heartfelt thanks!

Sincerely, Mike O'Reilly,
The Dick Smith- Mike O'Reilly Band

Many thanks for that, Mike - it will make a lot of people feel apprciated! Ed.

Just recieved this sad new from Louise Scruggs (Earls Wife):

"I know you'll all feel the loss of John Hartford as I do. He's been a part of my history since the 70's, though I can't blame him for my taking up the fiddle. He was a kindler gentler spirit with more talent than he'll ever be recognized for. I bet the angels are tap dancing on sounding boards now.

LS"

Matt Ditchburn

Thank you for the very kind review of our CD Right In The Wrong Direction. We have our own web site under www.thrifts.countrymusic.de.vu

We really enjoyed your site - keep up the good work!

Phil and Eve Thrift (The Thrifts)

Regarding the Frank Wakefield scandal aired in the April/May edition:

I couldn't say who wrote that, but it sounds correct, in my opinion. Frank is sure upset over this. He considers it a direct rip off of his original work that came out on Folkways. Not only is it a rip off, it is bad business as the original name with Frank Wakefield, would sell more. When you go to a record store, the index will be under Red Allen and not Red Allen Frank Wakefield. Frank can sell more records than Red easily because he is still out there playing strong and he has so many great fans (friends).

I think it is great that a general uprising is occurring. Frank and I were not the first to hear of this. We started to get calls about the CD from people who had received it in a promotional mailing. Frank has the best fans in the world. They really look out for him.

We got on the phone to Folkways and have been trying to correct the situation ever since. This has all unfolded in the last 2 weeks. They seem to have pressed 10,000 copies and don't see the significance of the mistake. They won't return my calls anymore. Frank is pissed big time. This doesn't concern money either, it concerns the "apparent" renaming of the original band. I think it is like reissuing a Beatles album with a picture of the Beatles from an early album on the cover and the name Paul McCartney on the top.

How can someone find the nerve to take away the accomplishments of something done in the early 60's? It is real sick. Frank is such a positive guy, always willing to help people with their playing. To have some huge institute like the Smithsonian take advantage of such a defenceless person is truly ugly.

Jim Moss, La Honda, CA, USA. Write to Jim

Some time ago, I wrote a small piece on tuners and particularly recommended the Intellitouch onboard tuner as a firm favourite.

One night at a hotel picking session in Longnor, Buxton, the battery cover split in two along it's length rendering it unusable. The tuner had been dropped several times already so it's not exactly surprising. The working "in'ards" seem to be bomb-proof!

We arrived home the following day and after a good night's sleep I was up with the birds at 6:30am and checking write to, (compulsive, addictive behaviour or what?!!!) I was mulling over contacting the retailer when it occurred that I could contact the maker directly.

A search for "Intellitouch" brought his website up in a flash so I was able to leave the message. TWO HOURS LATER, this reply came:

"Geoff, I will mail you two new battery doors today...Allen" (I had asked to buy a spare one.)

This means that Allen read and replied from the US at something like his midnight!

Today, a week later, three new doors arrived with no charge. Certainly it's true that the Internet is a wonderful thing but credit where it's due, service like that is well worth the candle...

The moral (as seen on Methodist Church billboard): "In case of dissatisfaction - contact the maker!"

Regards, Geoff' Bowers, Nottingham

Just finished reading the NWBN latest edition. Nice job as always! I think you have a great mix of articles, news, events etc.

Rob Billings.

Hey thanks, Rob - makes me feel good... and I need it having been so down. Also thanks for the article. Ed.