Dear Folx
Once again, I find myself asking "where to begin?" ...So much has gone on since the last issue. I guess the appropriate place to start would be with an apology for the extended delay in getting this issue out. There are a myriad of reasons for the wait, including - but not limited to - a personal tragedy, waiting for the release of WTLF getting my computer set up and my subsequent addiction (and then later overcoming that addiction) to America Online, and, yes, I admit it, maybe about 10% laziness. Anyway now the fanzine is done right here in Apt. #4 (rather than at the local Kinko's - which was an hour 's drive away), I am on-line (see "E-mail"), we are seriously "on track'', and I hope that the content of this fanzine will make up for the big wait.
Well, for those of you who have been with me for awhile, this issue marks the fruits of my labor (and I'm more than happy to share the fruit with YOU!). Ifyou've just joined us, this is THE issue to start with! Inside, you '11 find my WTLF review, news, an interview with the band exclusive to All Of Us, one fan's thorough interpretation of a BC song, an interview with my UK friend David - which will fill you in on a lot of cool things about the 'Little Big Country', and lots of etc. In other words, this is our biggest and best issue to date!
As of this writing, as per Ian and a nice fellow at Pure records, All Of Us will he listed in the liner notes of the US release of WTLF: Fantastic, right? Of course! But - while I 'in absolutely elated to have this dream come true, you fans (those ofyou who have dealt with me on a personal basis at least) must realize 2 things:
1) I'm gonna be busier than ever before.
2) the cost ofAll Of Us is going up - quickly and sharply..
As ofnow, one year's dues will be $12. All ofyou whose dues are up, I don t expect payment until September 15th, so while dues have gone up, you've got a nice extension on the due date. To be honest, I don t think I have been breaking even since I've been putting out All Of Us, so I simply had to raise the cost. As for frequency offanzines, I will make a commitment for at least 4 issues a year. If l can do more, I will. Also, I think I'd better set up a "hot news system like Jan has (at least for those ofyou not traversing the information superhighway) - please send however many SASE's as you like, and when I get news of tour dates, etc., I '11 send that info out to you. I should have tour dates pretty early, now that Ian is giving us a good deal of support.
I trust by now that everyone has some form ofWTLE As for the I'm Not Ashamed single, I 've talked to far even recently who didn't even know it existed. Without offending these folx, I'd like to repeat what I've been saying all along: GOLDMINE. Goldmine (also ICE) is where you'll hear about stufffirst, because it's their business to keep up with music releases! And now that INA has been deleted, folx better snatch 'em up! For those of you who've never heard of Goldmine, just fill out the Goldmine coupon here in this issue (you may want to photocopy it) and send it off for a free sample issue. I cant describe Goldmine better than just to say it's cover-to-cover with ads from record shops. And there can be no better testimonial than that ofLewis Crow who used Goldmine to get a copy of the most coveted BC item - the Nippon Great Box. Don t count yourself out here folx, get a copy TODAY; they sell at Tower records everywhere, and also at lots of mom-n-pop stores.Goldmine has single-handedly doubled my BC collection.
In the UK, You Dreamer is set for release on August 21st and 28th, Part 1 and Part 2, respectively Here in the states, last word was simply "August". As per my sources, It will not be released as a commercial single here in the states. So, get ready to check the promo bins (well, hopefully they'll be a bit more scarce because, hopefully, the radio stations will be USING them!!!). WTLE is set to hit US stores in September. BUPA COPY. Even if you have the UK cd, buy the US release to show them that there are buying fans here in the States.And for more info on how to support BC here in the US, see the AOU interview herein.
Well, that's about all for now, it's Thursday, August 3rd, and this is going to print tomorrow. I appreciate all the support and help. Please, all ofyou, feel free to send in your thoughts, opinions, and ideas, however large or small. And I'd like to say thanx to my girlfriend, Dawn, and my friend Dan for helping me proofread this here rag. Until next time, STAY ALIVE... Big Country Are!
James
