Well hello there folks, and a belated Happy New Year for 2010 !

I normally write a newsletter at the start of each year, but what with one thing and another it sort of got put on the back burner! Better late than never though!

2009 was a good year for us. A typical kind of year really, playing shows up and down the country and we made a lot of new friends and fans along the way.

The album ‘VALHALLA’ appears to have been very well received by fans and critics all over. It was voted album of the year by ‘Get Ready to Rock’ and we had radio stations in places around the world dedicate shows to the music of Stray.

Let’s face it, when you’ve written and recorded as many songs as we have, it’s pretty easy taking up the time! In fact we have the problem when we play, of not what to play as much as what songs do we leave out? Fortunately there are a couple of venues which allow us to play long sets, so.... three or four hours? No problem!

Back in the seventies Stray were managed by Wilf Pine, who was part of the Worldwide Artists group and managed bands like Black Sabbath, Yes and The Groundhogs, to name but a few.

Wilf has a book published titled ‘An Englishman and The Mafia’ which is a biography written by John Pearson (who coincidentally wrote the biography by Charlie Kray …. Er yes I know, another Stray connection!!!!!).
Check the book out it’s a really interesting read. It tells his story right from childhood through to working for Don Arden (Sharon Osbourne’s dad) in the 60s then having his own management company in the 70s and his involvement with, shall we say ‘the Italian connection’ in the U.S. I’ve got some stories to tell as well …. Maybe I should right a book...?

Anyway, a film is going to be made of the book and I was told at Christmas they will be starting production in the near future.

A quote from Blackberry Films:
  The Englishman and The Mafia
Where gangsters and music collide... rock is born...
 
Based on a true story. Wilf Pine, a Sixties’ man about town, is hired by Don Arden, Sharon Osbourne’s father, one of the toughest music producers in the game. He soon gets a break managing one of the biggest bands of the time, Black Sabbath. At a chance meeting he is befriended by one of New York’s toughest Mafia families and begins his new life as a go-between and active member of the New York Mafia Scene.
 
That’s part of the publicity blurb. I am told there are some ‘big’ stars being lined up to appear, but I cannot say anything about that at the moment. What I can say is that I have been read parts of the film script and there is a scene set in Syncron Sound Studios in Connecticut, where Stray are recording the album ‘Move it’. As many of you know, Steve Gadd was the lead vocalist at the time, but there was one song he did not want to sing and that song was called ‘Somebody Called You’. So as Wilf and the rest of the band loved the song, it was suggested that I sing it. Guess what, the scene features Wilf asking if I am ready to record it, to which I reply something to the effect of ‘Yes, let’s go for it’ and the song plays.

David Firman, the producer, has offered me a part in the film, so that could be interesting. I could get sponsored by Philosan and Polyfilla !!!!!!!!!
I have been told the film soundtrack will contain songs by The Small Faces, The Move, Black Sabbath plus many others - and two Stray songs, i.e. ‘Somebody Called you’ and ‘Come on Over’ from the ‘Mudanzas’ album.
I am really hoping it gets finished and released by the end of this year.

Some of you may have seen Lauren Harris in concert and if you have you may recognise her closing song ‘Come on Over’ which also appears on her latest album titled ‘Calm before the Storm’ (no, not ‘After the Storm'!).

We have had many people ask when our dvd ‘Live in London’ recorded at The Borderline will be available again. They sold out really fast, it was a real surprise. Well, I can now tell you that we have had some more pressed up and they are now available once again.

Speaking of which, Stray's comeback CD. ‘New Dawn’ (recorded back in 1997) and the live follow-up album ‘Alive and Gigging’ are to be re-released very soon, possibly in March, by Angel Air Records. I believe this time around it will be a double set with additional sleeve notes.

We hope to see as many of you on the road this year at our shows up and down the country. Keep checking the gig guide on the site because shows are being added all the time.

Also, if you have any Stray memories or memorabilia, please contact us at the site.

We have noticed that some of you have possibly changed your email addresses, so therefore we are unable to send you news and updates. If that’s the case ans you're reading this Newsletter via the website, then drop us a line or re-subscribe to the Newsletter with your new email address.

That’s all for now, so from Karl, Stu, and myself, thanks for your continuing support and we hope to see and hear from you very soon.

“Be Lucky”
Del