The first of a mere 23 shows, and we all couldn't wait to get up there in front of a crowd. The cars to take us from hotel to gig just couldn't come quick enough, still as soon as we all arrived at the venue we all instinctively headed for catering and sure enough Darren didn't let us down. A swift bowl of the best porcini mushroom soup known to humanity and a cup of Glenngettie and off to the stage for a short final sound-check. Then back to the dressing rooms for a familiarity session wit the wardrobe trunks. Dinner and armed with twin ukes, the first meet and greet of the tour.

In many ways it seems like only yesterday we met and greeted and indeed the tunes came flooding back with ease. The meet and greet band grows, Stuart Duncan becomes an honorable member on tenor ukulele. Stuart had a great debut on stage too wowing the crowd on fiddle, mandolin and acoustic guitar.
Simon's inter-twining rings exhibit the incredible versatility of modern lighting technology.

Monitor man Niall Slevin, makes his debut in the outfit too. He too uses the new Digico digital desk for our individual in-ear mixes. Great job Niall.
Emmylou poses backstage with arguably her biggest fan

pic Dennis Brouwer
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