Who would you write a fan letter to?

So here it is...........the snow, its finally hit us and with a bit of a vengeance. Why? Who knows, but I cant remember a Winter starting like this in my 39 years...maybe the Gulf Stream? Whoa conspiracy boy, its the season of goodwill. And here it is, Christmas is almost upon us.

A time of year I love, ever since I was a little boy, and I still havent grown up. Its also a time of reflection, I do a lot of thinking at this time of year, it seems I never stop, but.....maybe I should just for a little while.
While Im thinking though I would like to spare some time for everyone I know out there who isnt having the best of time, some friends of family with serious illness, some family with some real issues too....good luck with it all as we slip into the next year.
I reflect on the year and its been a busy one, some real highs and strangely enough some lows that are starting to get a little lower, hence the tone of some of the blogs in recent months. In truth my life has changed a lot recently and emphasis has changed somewhat which means I view it all a little differently...dare I say, I have come close to considering my future with NJ....but, Richie and I have been through it for many years and we are stronger than just getting a bit down and walking away.....I think of the highs this year...Hamilton Fields where I truly felt like the audience and we were one, a superb couple of nights but there have been a lot of lows.
In these times I notice the places we play getting more and more quiet and I hope that isnt us, after all we do our best to try and put some recent material in our sets. These times are some of the toughest that we have encountered and its taking its toll on all the people that would ordinarily come along to a New Jersey gig. It is incredibly hard to play to a quiet room and its an art I struggle with and something that I either accept maybe, or think about what is done about it.

One of the highlights are the people that we meet and this year the fan of the year award goes to.......Rebecca Hearn step forward. A lady who first saw us at the Riverside in Ross on Wye in the Summer.
Hailing from New Jersey in America she was strangely drawn to the name on the board that night and thankfully we didnt disappoint. She has since travelled many miles to see us on a number of occasions the last being Saturday night in Hereford. Thank you so much for your support.

Its times like that that stop me from doing the unthinkable in taking breaks from a band I love. When a lady like Rebecca comes up to you at the end of the night and says that she has just heard the best version of Run (Snow Patrol) ever it makes it special. She liked it even more than Snow Patrol which is amazing....it also has some sentimental value to her so that makes it even better.

Richie and I have it pretty good. It is so easy to get numb about it but then something triggers the emotion once again and it is all worthwhile. So what do we do in this year that is almost upon us.........2011.
One year away from doomsday supposedly. Will it be the best year ever for NJ or will it be strangely quiet? I really feel that it has to be one or the other. Our diary is deliberately empty for next year while we discuss the way forward. However, I have some good feelings about it all.

There are a couple of dates in 2011 for everyones diary...Hamilton Fields, Silverstone for the British Grand Prix and Renault Super Series. A couple of special dates that we would like to share with the people that we meet throughout the year.
So, everyone who has given a **** about NJ maybe we should all look at descending on Hamilton Fields for the Grand Prix gig and having one big party around our tents (we will look at securing a section on the field for all) before we hit the stage for what Im sure will once again be a special night in the life of NJ and the people we play to. I am looking into seeing how many people would be interested in joining us in Silverstone with their tents and Camper vans for the event......it could be one crazy night!!

So, a slightly melancholy blog on this snowy night with some uncertainty in the NJ air, but also some real excitement about the future.Thankyou to all of you who have supported us in 2010 and have a superb Christmas.One more date before New Year for us. Next Thursday at The golden Lion in Cinderford and then the big day is nearly upon us.Happy Christmas.

HANK WANGFORD

Read Hank's STRIPPERS WITH ALTITUDE from the Guardian here.

NUDE MOUNTAINEERING SOCIETY

Strippers with Altitude
Welcome to the Nude Mountaineering Society Webpage. To explain my background in Skinny-Gripping at great heights I’ll quote from my rebuttal in the Guardian of the Nepali Mountaineering Society’s censure of one of their members exposing his member on the world’s highest peak.

I was drawn into the joys of trouserless peaking by the great George Mallory. Mallory was an English hero, an explorer and mountaineer, and a true English eccentric — brave, foolhardy and inspirational. He attempted Everest in the 1920s and may even have been the first to successfully climb the mountain in 1924. He disappeared and his body was discovered 75 years later very close to the summit. He was wearing a tweed jacket. No Gore-Tex, no down jackets. Was he on the way up or down? We may never know.


My inspiration for the Nude Mountaineering Society, and my assumption of presidency, came from an arresting picture of Mallory and his associate at Everest base camp both wearing jaunty trilby hats and rucksacks on their backs. George Mallory is otherwise naked. His friend has a jacket on but no trousers. It is a wonderful picture, bare-assed cheek and all, that could never offend the spirits of the Great Mountain. These two heroic role models transcend all that and their kecks-free frolics are a tribute, a sacrament to the mountain. And we'll never know if Mallory not only got to the summit but also went for the trousers down approach as an ultimate gesture. Just for the craic.


Some of my other buff-clambers are mentioned in the Guardian article elsewhere on this page. Click here

We welcome anyone who wants to join the Society (there are no certificates or membership paraphernalia for where would you put them? – just the quiet and private satisfaction of being part of a freedom-loving movement transcending mere borders).


To become part of this inter-continental phenomenon email a digital photo, jpeg, of yourself or selves on your personal peak with details of date and place and name unless you want to remain anonymous. Front or rear views are acceptable though you will notice that as President I avoid exposing the earth-moving equipment for fear of frightening any high climbing horses, yaks or llamas.


Add a blog-memoir of the day and any details you feel you’d like to share with other like minded mountain strippers.


And bingo! You’re in.

Sincerely and Altitudinally,

Hank

Dear Friends, Neighbours and Far-Away Fans,
Here's a little nudge for you London and Home Counties based folk that the Lost Cowboys are joining Hank at the Half Moon this Thursday.
Be good to see you there.

Thursday 3rd February Hank Wangford & The Lost Cowboys
featuring BJ Cole & Martin Belmont

Half Moon Putney

93 Lower Richmond Road

SW15 1EU

By Public Demand!

Flexing his seventy year old muscles and stiffening his ancient sinews ready for the Big Belt Tightening, Hank and the Lost Cowboys have been invited back to one of their spiritual homes for another dose of gloom as the winter drags on. Come and shiver with Hank to some high class Country music so soon after the enforced gaiety of Xmas. With little to recommend it, February is truly a time to be miserable. Let Hank push you over the edge.

Booking 020 8780 9383

Tickets £10

Keep yodelling!

Hankfully yours,

Colonel Frank Wangford (no relation)