Giving thanks…

Hola long lost followers,

I’ve been a bit sloppy in the old publishing department… mainly because I’ve been doing a lot of swimming and trying to master Kung Fu.

But, I’m spurred back into literary action by a few things.

Firstly, you may have spotted me at several recent Christchurch benefit functions… raising money for “The Dusties” down in Canterbury.  I didn’t feel it would be fair to directly contribute from my considerable fortune, as that would be a bit like shooting fish in a barrel, when I own the barrel, and it’s already at my house, and I don’t even eat fish.

So instead, I felt that contributing my many talents to a few different fundraisers, was the right move.

 

Celebrated Game Show Host - JT

Secondly, last Friday night was the celebrity roast, put on by my old friend El Jaguar, roasting my even older friend, Philippino game show hosting legend Johnny Tan.  I was unable to attend in person, but I shot this quick video and musicalised my sentiments, in a long distance tribute.

Here for you, is that tribute to Johnny Tan.

[Click Here To View The Video]

I have a quiet few months now, in my eastern country house, before I hit the road again for June & July… with appearances throughout the former Yugoslavia, England, Switzerland and Canada, then back for nearly a full month with the WOW team, before some heavy involvement with the cruise ship scene.

Until then, if you can’t fuss it, bust it up.

Given with soul,

Vinyl Burns.

A Summer Tour

This is going to be weird.

I’m about to head out on tour.  Now, that in itself isn’t too strange… I’m certainly not unfamiliar to the grime of the vaudeville road, that’s why I take so many baths.  Thing is… since retiring down here in tropical electric paradise, most, if not all of my touring has been undertaken in the form of a giant, lengthy, commitment laden “northern summer” tour of such salubrious festival circuits as Canada, Eastern Europe, The U.A.E., Brazil and even the Spanish clubber’s beach paradise El Campello.

Spanish Club Dates 1988

This time it will be different. This time, it will be local.

Now, despite being retired, I still keep my hand in some pretty fruity pies down here… in part, to inspire a new generation of wannabes, but also, to be honest, because I can’t stay away from the business.  It’s in my blood… and it’s not alone, so I gots to keep the show biz pumping through my veins, or the biological ratio of good vs evil will get all out of whack… and who needs that.

So, I work a healthy circuit of gigs here.  All kinds of shit… all across the board… all tiers, classes, creeds, flavours, genders, budgets, venues, menus…   I soak it all up, cos I like to keep it real.  Also, it’s a small place, and there aren’t too many options.

This time around though, I’ve switched it up.  After 12 years of being woo’d and quietly coaxed, I’ve relented, and will be attending the Christchurch World Buskers Festival.

Now this is a nice gig…  Chilled schedule, beautiful locals, and a good solid pampering for the crew.  But what makes it very very odd for me, is having all my buddies from the northern circuits right here, now, shoulder to shoulder, on my turf.  Circumstance finally allowing me to play host to some of my closest friends and finest acts on the planet.  I will love it, as will all the performers and public fans alike…

The Worlds Finest Clowns

The novelty, and resulting weirdness I feel about it all, has reminded me why I chose this neglected backchannel to wind down my career with the grace and dignity it deserves…  You see, by retiring here, where there’s next to nothing going on, I can help to build a faith and passion in this industry, yet with the non-threatening status of “retired legend”, putting the youngsters at their ease.  I wear the respect, without the agro.

That’s all well and good, but sometimes, when the world comes to town for ten days, and you’re invited to go play with them… it’s mighty nice to feel the local breeze on your chest, hear the local voices in your head, and drink the local wines, with your local lips.

I welcome the world’s best to Christchurch this month, and hope you’ll live the dream with us.

Kia Ora Kaha Te Whanau

Vinyl

Welcome to Vinyl’s World…

Hello folks,

Welcome to the first of many regular Vinyl Burns web log entries… keeping you abreast of what I’m up to, and my personal read on the world I’m in. I hope you can join with me on a crusade to bring good times to wherever the bad times roll, and to warm and moisten even the most desolate and frigid of regions.