Charging for Autographs?

[PhilKing]

I went to see Joanne Shaw Taylor again about a month ago and she comes out and talks with everyone and signs her CD's (as many as you buy!).  Andy Powell from Wishbone Ash also is very approachable and signs for free.

I think if you're buying the merchandise at a gig, then if the artist is available to sign (usually only at smaller gigs), the signature should be free.

[Philly Q]

Andy Powell from Wishbone Ash also is very approachable and signs for free.

That's interesting. I've been wondering if Andy Powell is a more "difficult" character than he appears (basically because Martin Turner seems to hold such a grudge against him)

[PhilKing]

Andy Powell from Wishbone Ash also is very approachable and signs for free.

That's interesting. I've been wondering if Andy Powell is a more "difficult" character than he appears (basically because Martin Turner seems to hold such a grudge against him)

He spoke with me for about 5 minutes with no issues even though at that point I hadn't actually bought any merchandise (I caught him on his way to the stand). Then he spoke again when I bought some CD's and he was signing them.  If you get chance to see his Wishbone Ash I can really recommend it.  The other guitar player (Muddy Manninen), nails all the guitar parts from the year, but with his own twist to them too.

[Philly Q]

If you get chance to see his Wishbone Ash I can really recommend it.  The other guitar player (Muddy Manninen), nails all the guitar parts from the year, but with his own twist to them too.

I haven't seen them live (I'm sorry to say), but I still buy all the new albums and DVDs from both the "original" Wishbone Ash and Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash.

OK, both bands only have one original member, but I definitely prefer Andy's version.  They're still writing good new material and I really like Muddy's playing - the guitarists in MTWA are perfectly competent but I don't think they bring anything new.

[PhilKing]

OK, both bands only have one original member, but I definitely prefer Andy's version.  They're still writing good new material and I really like Muddy's playing - the guitarists in MTWA are perfectly competent but I don't think they bring anything new.

That's my feeling too.  Martin's band is basically playing the originals, while Andy's band has progressed them without losing the feel of them (the two reissues of Argus show this of best I think).

[Philly Q]

Yes!  I have Lord knows how many different versions of the Argus songs, what with the reissues and countless live albums/compilations.  The MTWA version feels very by-the-numbers.

[richard]

I went to see Joanne Shaw Taylor again about a month ago and she comes out and talks with everyone and signs her CD's (as many as you buy!).  Andy Powell from Wishbone Ash also is very approachable and signs for free.

I think if you're buying the merchandise at a gig, then if the artist is available to sign (usually only at smaller gigs), the signature should be free.

Phil, I don't have a great many magical musical moments memories but a couple of years back the band I was in did a couple of gigs as part of Ruf Records Blues caravan tour. I got to jam onstage with Joanne. It was a delight. She is a great player and singer and lovely in every sense of the word.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I went to see Joanne Shaw Taylor again about a month ago and she comes out and talks with everyone and signs her CD's (as many as you buy!).  Andy Powell from Wishbone Ash also is very approachable and signs for free.

I think if you're buying the merchandise at a gig, then if the artist is available to sign (usually only at smaller gigs), the signature should be free.

Phil, I don't have a great many magical musical moments memories but a couple of years back the band I was in did a couple of gigs as part of Ruf Records Blues caravan tour. I got to jam onstage with Joanne. It was a delight. She is a great player and singer and lovely in every sense of the word.

Awesome!

[tekbow]

Reminds me of the Mohammed Ali story, think it was Parky told it. The guy arrived into the uk, maybe 10-15 years ago, straight off a flight from the states, got mobbed by fans, stood there and gladly signed every autograph and spoke to every person.

If a dude with parkinsons off a 9 hour flight can manage can do it and even be humble about it, then noone else has any excuse

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Wow, I'd never heard that, but that's crazy! Kudos to Ali.

[tekbow]

will have to source that one, but i know i heard it on some Ali retrospective, told by a reputable journalist. Nearly sure it was Parky