Season’s Greetings

Season’s Greetings to one and all, with a special shout-out to the front-line workers among our friends and fans, who have been doing extraordinary work these last months. We really do hope that everyone can enjoy, safe and albeit somewhat different Christmas holidays this year and that you and your family members have been able to keep this virus at bay. In the extended Powell family, we’ll be adhering to all the guidelines, and then some. Too much time, money and care has been invested this year, to fall down at this juncture. I know that it’s the same for Bob, Joe and Mark, who have also been keeping their heads down, as well as holding on to their sanity. Obviously, we’ve not been able to get together as a band for reasons of simple geography, but also due to the safety constraints obviously.

I’d like to personally give another shout-out to the Wishbone Ash fans that have supported me and the band indirectly, by joining the Patreon site. For those that don’t know, it’s been an interesting new community that has been built around the shared love of rock music, guitar playing and this band of ours, Wishbone Ash. For me, changing tracks like this and going from being a creature of the road to being a maker of videos, dispensing life tips and guitar lessons on the way, has been quite a learning curve, but one that has been rewarding all-round. Thanks to all of you participants for helping to keep me sane and focused. For any potential newbies to the platform remember, that in addition to this months content, you receive instant access to all past posts in your tier, right off the bat. patreon.com/andypowell

As for the New Year, we wish you all a good one. For several months no doubt, it’ll be more of the same and so, yet more very trying times financially, for many. But the vaccines are now coming on line and my guess is that things should start to show improvement by the autumn of 2021. In the big picture, my feeling is that the culture in all respects will shift and we’ll all come out the other side with a different attitude and perspective. It’s inevitable. Tough times are ahead but personally I feel so fortunate that some really worthwhile work was completed just before the virus impacted us all. 2020 wrapped up 50 years of Wishbone Ash and highlighted by the release of the Vintage Years box set plus, most importantly, the release of Coat of Arms, the last studio album from the band. We would have liked to have been able to promote it more than we were able to, but we are truly grateful for the support and enthusiasm that we received around its release both from the fans and the record label. Psychologically, it certainly helped us all get through this year knowing that there was new music out there for the fans.

Best wishes to you all. Hold on to your hats. It’ll get worse before it gets better, with rocky roads ahead no doubt, but keeping our heads down and using our common sense that I know we all have in spades, will get us through this.

Best Bones ~ A.P.