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Early in 2001 we moved into
our chic new offices. We turned the lack of gigs in the early part
of the year to our advantage. We were able to use that time concentrating
on the business side of show-business. All our time and efforts were
geared towards the autumn tour. It just had to work this time. This
time there were no excuses. At every opportunity between gigs you
could find me at Talon Towers chasing the next theatre manager and the next deal. Si, newly appointed
marketing manager, was planning his marketing strategy and he would
immediately claim a major scalp, a working relationship with Harley-Davidson.
Pete, our financial wizard, was looking after the penny's, as well
as keeping all the vehicles in working order and as well as making
sure that everyone had somewhere to sleep when we were on the road.
We were focused and determined. The website, designed by Jonny Mack,
was introduced and was proving to be very popular. Brand-new glossy
publicity, tour jackets, courtesy of our sponsors Harley-Davidson
and an upgraded P.A.system. All this plus guest musicians Tracy Neale,
Gerry Hogan and Dave Heywood on Pedal Steel Guitar and Darryl Wood
on Piano. This time there were no excuses. We went into rehearsals
at the end of August and then it was here.......... Autumn tour 2001..........
I can honestly say that, at that time, those three months were the
most satisfying, enjoyable and successful of my professional life.
I can vividly remember just prior to the opening night in Brecon,
all of us guessing the number of people that would come and see us
during the tour. Even Jerry, the most optimistic amongst us, had under
estimated. Not only were the audiences larger than predicted, they
were also far more enthusiastic than ever before. When we were less
than half way into the tour it became obvious that the hard work was
at last paying off. By the end, it had surpassed our wildest expectations.
After the new year we celebrated by re-investing some of the money
we had made. A big new shiny truck for Jerry, up-graded the P.A.system
for Dave and a new album. The first with Jon on board. |
We recorded the backing tracks at Matt Terry's Vada
Studio's in Stratford Upon Avon in January 2002 and later the vocals
were added at the Barncrosh Farm, Kirkcudbright, Scotland in March.
The album was called Talon / The Rest Of Eagles for obvious reasons and was produced by Dave. We
continued to work throughout the spring with ever expanding and
enthusiastic audiences, the highlights being the Jersey Opera House
and The Gaiety Theatre on the Isle Of Man. We played five outdoor
festivals during that summer and it rained at every single one,
and when the sun finally came out it was time for us to go back
in.
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Harley Davidson
promo pic with guest musician Tracy Neale taken in July 2001. |
Talon on tour with guest musician Sarah Jory,
October 2002.
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For autumn 2002 we had a brand-new, harder hitting
show, bigger and better gear and a new look. Opening the tour on Pedal
Steel Guitar was the wonderful talent of Melvyn Duffy with the one
and only Sarah Jory closing. The tour had many memorable moments.
None more so than the final night at Barry Young’s Stardust
near Leicester. It was one of those magical evenings that we all dream
of and work so hard for. |
The sound was cooking, all voices in great shape,
the atmosphere electric, in short it was perfect.The tour had been
a massive success and now we could all look forward to a great Christmas.
It seemed that we were invincible. Yet! There was an uncomfortable
atmosphere hanging over the Talon camp. Someone once said, “success
does not solve your problems, it simply presents you with different
ones”, and so it was, and we had seen it coming for a long
time. |
| 6. Separation |
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