A heartfelt message from Ralph via email....
"Dear Friends,
I am really looking forward to these dates in the Spring.
After the birthday concert at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and the momentous 70th birthday's dust has settled I have been thinking a great deal abut the future.
You will know by my repertoire how much I relish being on the road and I missed touring England last year although our Celtic Cousins tour was truly wonderful.
It will be great to be out and about again!
Your letters, emails and general comments about my work and your fantastic support is never taken for granted and I am immensely grateful for it.
Thank you also all those who wrote and sent gifts and cards, I was overwhelmed.
When ever I am on the broadcast media the interviews come around to my "hit" and the implied question is whether or not I am disappointed not to have had more chart success.
It is almost impossible to explain to anyone who has not had my musical experience how little this matters to me.
Looking both back and forward I have long realised that the most important thing to me was writing and performing my songs to like minded people or those open to listening without prejudice emphasising what links us rather than divides us.
It is not easy being optimistic at times like this but it is easy to become cynical.
Sometimes the creative glass is half full and sometimes half empty but there is always something in the glass.
I am writing as we speak but perhaps not quite ready to perform many new songs on this tour.
(Maybe one or two)
The birthday concert revealed a few "rested" numbers from the past and you often write and say don't forget the old ones.
Well speaking as an old one myself I am happy to report that I haven't forgotten them and may well air some oldies when out on the road.
I am told the DVD of the concert is well under way and may hopefully be ready for the tour.
For those of you who couldn't make it, you will be able to get some of the atmosphere of this joyful occasion where I was supported by both the fabulous audience and great friends who graced the stage with me.
I am so looking forward to seeing you all Somewhere Down the Road..."
Ralph
