RoryGallagher

On reflection it has been an amazing year, it's been like an express train ride that has gathered more and more momentum, as you endeavor to remember the many stations you made brief stops at over the past 12 months, while eying the ones up ahead also. So, some highlights: 

The major project in the last while was the release of Rory's album, "Notes From San Francisco", much credit goes to Daniel for his input and total dedication to the record's release. The idea by Rory's nephew, to 'bridge' the two sides of his music studio and live, both from the same period and Bay Area, was what encouraged me to finally make the release of the recordings. In addition, Dan's concept for the album's artwork and Mark Jessett's delivery of this deserves it's own round of applause. The project was both cathartic and exhilarating one, meeting up with Elliot Mazor and others again, evoking memories of the abandoned sessions, etc. the buzz of dealing with the young ears of engineer Martin Dubka. In addition, it would have been quite a buzz for my brother to know his work spread across three vinyls (a first for him). Also, great to see Rory's catalogue being reintroduced on vinyl - back to the future!

So, a huge thank you to all the personnel with whom we deal with at Sony Music and Eagle Rock Entertainment and their teams throughout the globe. On the publishing side to Bug Music and to Music Sales who have done a great job on the book tablature front.

The the audio visual side the "Ghost Blues" DVD continues to break new ground, at the time of writing I am pleased to see the film being scheduled to be shown at the film festival, Mostra de Cinema Rock, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, next March. The hi-definition upgrade of "Irish Tour '74", to blue-ray has given the documentary  a new lease of life, it's regraded colour and reworked audio has made the film eligible to been screened on channels such as Sky Arts, bring a new audience to the music - thank you Eagle Vision.  

Throughout the passed year, it was great to have continued communication with many of the musicians who played with my brother, in particular, to have seen David Levy and Richard Newman (Rory's last line-up), and F.M.s Jim Kirkpatrick (a very fine guitarist) playing with Bernie Marsden at London's Jazz Cafe - 'Bernie Plays Rory' excellent gig.  

Traveling over to the States for the sell-out 'Rory' tribute at the Iridium Club, New York, was terrific, my thanks goes to Arnie Goodman and the Eagle Rock team and the many, many musicians who took part that evening and to David Millman who traveled down to the N.Y. gig for his hard and successful work on Rory + N.F.S.F. in Canada. 

In California we were invited to the opening of Fender's new Visitor Center, which was a personal highlight, reacquainting with and meeting other persons from the Fender personnel was delightful. The devotion that has been shown to the Rory Stratocaster by the company is great.     

To the 'Cork Rocks For Rory", team who continually fly the flag at home. Ballyshannon as ever was top flight with much thanks to the team there and of course Barry O'Neill. I was delighted to finally catch up with Martin Carthy who played in Donegal. All the people, bands and musicians who contribute to the 'Rory' nights throughout Europe and the World. - Friends of Rory, Oslo, France, Spain, Holland and Barry Barnes for his gig at the Cavern.

By now many of you will have seen on Youtube, Joe Bonamassa’s terrific performance, at the Hammersmith Apollo, on my brother's 'original' Stratocaster. For some time I had been trying to connect with Joe so as to thank him for his cover of "Cradle Rock", on his debut album, and so was glad to have opportunity to reciprocate in some way, it was a pleasure to meet such a gentleman as Joe. Huge thanks goes to his girlfriend singer/musician Sandi Thom (who's great albums I have also gotten into).

The evening in Hammersmith also connected me with Jack son of the late Gary Moore, a lovely guy and talented player. A true friend to Rory, Gary's sudden passing was a shock, having met with the great guitarist, on a train to Belgium just weeks earlier. This followed by the demise of the lovely Bert Jansch, all so saddening - these were the hard stations to pass.

On the subject of guitar greats, my thanks also goes out to Slash for his unexpected Twitter support, to have Rory inducted to The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - thank you Dino and Jeana also. As ever, Brian May continues to remind others of Rory's prowess, such as Time magazine and Edge for his praise also. The support of these great musicians (and many, many others), is evidenced by the recent 'guitarist' rankings that has just been published by Rolling Stone magazine, that Rory has finally been featured in their standings.  

The internet has been an invaluable source for spreading the word on Rory from the daily updates on the Rory Facebook page (some 64,545 fans at present) to the online petitions to have Cork airport re-named the Cork Rory Gallagher Airport, many thanks to Brigitte Lehmann for her superb work on both these fronts and to all the forum and facebook admins (Jay Jay Joyce, John Ganjamie, Milo Carr, Hugo Angel, Simon Barr and Jim Led) who give up their time to share the message of Rorys music. No doubt there's many other supporters who I've forgotten to mention but a great thanks to you all, your efforts are appreciated.

In the year ahead, we intend to make continued, further progress with director Declan Quinn and a cinematic film on Rory's life and times. My book writing is continually interrupted, not least, in assisting Declan's film-story-line but I will get there, however, putting my brother's musical works out there continues to be my 'top priority'.

Thank you all for your continued support and interest in Rory's music. 

Season's Greetings and a Happy New Year to one and all.

Dónal