Oh, how I've missed my TH friends

[BillericayDicky]

Malcolm here! (Billericay Dicky). Been a terrible time since May and my return to England from 2008 JF.
Alsion changed her job (good news), I lost two really big contracts(bad news) which as yet I have not replaced ( more bad news). Consequently work through the summer has been nearly at a standstill (cash flow crisis!).
Computer blew-up (bad news), now repaired with no loss of important files particularly 35GB music and all my digital photographs. Bought an external hard drive and all above now backed up (why didn't I do that before).

Worried for all during Gustav ( Amanda, my sis, evacuated to Dallas but her house was saved any major damage. Hope all you guys survived.

Now the really bad news.... because of the work situation and state of the family credit crunch...it is unlikely that I will be able to attend 2009 Jazz Fest.

Not definate yet but I am pre-conditioning myself early.

Now some good news we are to get our very own New Orleans Festival here in London on the 24/25 October at our O2 venue. On the 26th The Saints are playing an NLF game at Wembley, London.
The festival is free and is been produced by Quint Davis and the rest of the fest team. Headliners are Dr John, Allen Tousaint, Kermit Ruffins, Marcia Ball, Buckwheat Zydeco, John Mooney, Rebirth and others.

http://www.theo2.co.uk/inside/festival-new-orleans.html

So if y'all want to savour a trip to London let me be your guide.

The organisers are talking about this being annual event, hope so.

Lastly does anyone know Quint Davis e-mail address as I would like to offer my services to smooth the event into London.

Talk to you all real soon.

[ozzie]

Hey Clever Trevor! So sorry you're even thinking about missing Fest... lot's of karma from the aussies for some huge contracts coming your way to soothe the bank balance.

Been rumblings about the London gig... enjoy the sweet sounds and SCREAM for da Saints will ya!

Cheers mate!

[BillericayDicky]

Hey Clever Trevor! So sorry you're even thinking about missing Fest... lot's of karma from the aussies for some huge contracts coming your way to soothe the bank balance.

Been rumblings about the London gig... enjoy the sweet sounds and SCREAM for da Saints will ya!

Cheers mate!

G'day Oz. So good to hang out with you and your better half last May. Alison and I really enjoyed our evening.
Going to enjoy myself fo sure at the London fest.
Come on you Saints.
Never say never re next year but it's not looking too good at the moment. We'll see.

[tangledupinblue]

Hey Dicky send me an email at taj4167 at yahoo dot com

[almarco]

Hey Malcolm

Hope things are getting better, shoot me an email (almarco@aol.com)..I am on vacation during that weekend.........

[BillericayDicky]

Tangled and Al. Check your in box. Mail for you.

[BigDag]

Malcolm! I've been wondering what has happened to you.

The music and the football game sound like a great time! I'm glad you're going to have the chance to go.

Sorry to hear about your financial situation. I know a lot of people in the same boat. It's going to be hard for me to spend 10 days in New Orleans next year too, and I can drive there.

Hopefully something will work out for you and we'll see you next year!

[almarco]

Hmmm I wonder if quint needs an assistant for this trip?

[swag]

Sorry for your troubles, but glad to see you check in.

[glinda]

Hi Malcom. I sympathize with your troubles! This economy sucks. Been a real tough year for me too, with major contracts disappearing and the resultant cash crunch (ouch!). Has precluded me from participating in things like TH Records and Fest 4 Kidz and almost had me backing out of 08 fest. Luckily <knocking on wood right now> I am now seeing the biz come back and have some good long term contracts.

I wish the same for you Malcom, maybe that powerful TH karma will help you get more business! In the meantime, enjoy the local version of jazzfest, it sounds great. Tip back a few for us, and give some TH love to those NOLA musicians.

[festivalgirl]

Hey Malcom (& Alison). We feel your pain. It's been a tough year for a lot of us. I booked early so we can be on the payment plan. But I know you have so much further to travel.

You never know what could happen in 6 months ... only good things, of course. :)

Steve sent you an email earlier today. Like he said, if there's anything we can do to help, just shout!!

Fingers crossed on seeing you in April/May!! We'll have the Adult Iced Tea waiting for you!

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t38/slangius/nola%2008/IMGP0973.jpg

[mightyradgumbo]

Hey Malcoln, Good to hear from you man. Sorry to hear about your financial challenges. Heres some serious vibes for a positive cash flow so you can make it to NOLA for fest. Enjoy our town in your town my friend...couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Cheers!

[NYMAMA]

Sorry to hear of your troubles but good to hear from you Malcom sending good vibes your way~~~~~~~~~~~~

[ohio]

Hi Malcolm! We've missed you around here. Best of luck in your business & finances. Fest '09 or not, at least stop in here more often!

[Amyloves...]

Hey Malcolm....Good to hear from you. Yeah this year has been rough for a lot of us and it sounds like you got hit pretty hard. Definitely a good idea to condition yourself early for a missed Fest, but I hope it doesn't happen. If it does, begin immediate preparations for a blowout in 2010. Have a blast at the N.O. music fest and cheer for those Saints!

[BillericayDicky]

This is why I love you lot so much. So much positive love and vibes. I promise to log in far more often in future. I really have missed talking to you guys.
Well, the London cubes are out. Three stages on Friday and four on Saturday.
Dr John and the 911 to close out fest on Saturday on the Louisiana stage.
Marcia, Kermit. Allen Tousaint, Rebirth and others all play both days but Dr John only on Saturday. No food cubes yet!!!!!!!
It is bound to be a blast.
Once again thanks for all the good wishes. Talk soon.

[grisgris]

Hey Malcolm, so glad you checked in. Hope you have a LARGE TIME at the fest in London.

[Michelino]

This is why I love you lot so much. So much positive love and vibes. I promise to log in far more often in future. I really have missed talking to you guys.
Well, the London cubes are out. Three stages on Friday and four on Saturday.
Dr John and the 911 to close out fest on Saturday on the Louisiana stage.
Marcia, Kermit. Allen Tousaint, Rebirth and others all play both days but Dr John only on Saturday. No food cubes yet!!!!!!!
It is bound to be a blast.
Once again thanks for all the good wishes. Talk soon.

Sorry you might not make it for 09. But this year has sucker-punched a lot of us.

The London cubes sound impressive. You shoulld start talking up the idea of making this an every year festival...Every country needs a visit from Jazz Fest and threadheads at least once a year. And may softshell crab po boy be on the menu!

[Belle]

Sorry to hear this but we are in the same boat. Started the last job...folks are wanting to get the work done but will not go for it with the uncertainties of the economy.

Got friends who are coming for their 1st fest and we were going too but being in the construction end of the economy we will prolly not attending either.

Got a kid going to a pricey college and we will be burning through the savings and I am leaving the family business to keep him there. Glad I do have some skillls to get something.

Too bad I am not in education, health care or something else safe but we are not.

The economy sucks being self employed in construction. We are laying off the last of our workers next week.

I wanna do fest!!!!

[Staxsun]

Sorry to hear this but we are in the same boat. Started the last job...folks are wanting to get the work done but will not go for it with the uncertainties of the economy.

Got friends who are coming for their 1st fest and we were going too but being in the construction end of the economy we will prolly not attending either.

Got a kid going to a pricey college and we will be burning through the savings and I am leaving the family business to keep him there. Glad I do have some skillls to get something.

Too bad I am not in education, health care or something else safe but we are not.

The economy sucks being self employed in construction. We are laying off the last of our workers next week.

I wanna do fest!!!!

I'm pulling for ya, L! It's sad to hear this, but certainly I understand. As much as I bitch about my crappy job, I'm fortunate to have it. If my paycheck bounces, we all have more to worry about than that. Lots of time between now and Fest. You never know what may happen. We'll just have to find a way to come visit you if you don't make it. Right now I don't even see how I can go. I've said that a lot over the last several years, and it has worked out.

[marignygreg]

I am in that boat as well. The only way I will be at Fest next year is if I am living there ??:) You can't make em all, but we sure try.

[BillericayDicky]

Friends, never say never.
Trying to get more business as I speak. If it comes in I'll squirrel some cash away for a flight then go on from there. In the meantime looking forward to feeling the Nawlinz spirit in my back yard in a few weeks time. I wish a few of you could share the experience but London is soooooo expensive compared to the states.
Thanks for all the messages and kind thoughts, I know I am not the only one in this.

BTW I will write a complete review of the London fest with pics (if they allow cameras).

[festivalgirl]

At this point, I'm making payments on our train/hotel costs. It's turning out to be a better idea than making payments into our 401(k)'s!

Planning a vacation is becoming a safer bet than our supposed retirements.

[sharon_loves_fats]

Planning a vacation is becoming a safer bet than our supposed retirements.

So true. We'll need the good memories since we won't have any money!

[Corona]

NOOO!!! Malcom, that sucks so bad :( So sorry for your string of bad luck but YAYYY on the NOLA festival :) :)

[festivalgirl]

So true. We'll need the good memories since we won't have any money!

Pretty sad times. Putting money into a vacation rather than planning for the future used to be irresponsible. Now you know at least you'll get something for the money.