General News
January 2026 News Update
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Hi folks and Happy New year.
A brief newsletter this month.
I did a very pleasant interview with a Texas website run by a nice chap called Greg Shanks who knew all about me and particular the early stuff. He was even quoting song lyrics from those first two Transatlantic albums. It’s quite a long one so grab yourself a coffee if you so desire, click on the link and away ya go.
There was a lovely clip on YouTube by two very fine classical guitarists, Siegfried Steinkogler & Harald Peterstorfer playing Ray Burley's superb duo arrangement of 'A Christmas Carol'. Again, just click on the link and see for yourself. It's always a thrill to see other players playing my material...it's a dream come true actually to think that players out there deem my material worthy to spend time and effort learning pieces. Those classical guitarists certainly nailed it!
It's a funny old thing with composition and I have said this many times that no matter when a piece is created, and in this case 45 years ago I must have got it right. Don’t ask me how I come up with this stuff I just do!
Sue and I went to see the superb Albion Band at Warwick Arts Centre before Christmas and they were just superb. A big shout out to all the fine musicians on stage that night. The two main legends Ashley Hutchins and Simon Nicol along with Blair Dunlop son of Ashley, Simon Care and Kellie While. Such a beautiful gentle evening of Christmas based music.
Included in this newsletter is an amusing clip of me recording a short segment for a chap called Terry Smart who has a company who supply woodworkers with all things wood related. Each year he invites his customer to The Engine in Swindon to a Christmas gathering and quiz. I'm the interval item, filmed specially for the occasion. My beloved Sue was filming it using her phone taped to a music stand.... The tape came loose. Enough said. Enjoy. We were in stitches !!
Be well all and see you next month.
G.