With 4 Dec shows under my belt (2 with Dan) I'm feeling confident about the 3 remaining shows we have this weekend.
It's been really great fun playing different material for a change. I think people forget that when you're an artist, you sing the same songs over and over again to different audiences and have to try and sound fresh each time. That's a challenge in itself without even thinking about all the other aspects of performance.

So with these Christmas songs and some covers, plus a couple of my own new tunes, I don't have to try to sound fresh - because I'm just enjoying it anyway.

One of the highlights of our gigs has been the "Cheesy Christmas Medley Sing-a-long" where the audiences have enthusiastically sung their hearts out to a selection of Christmas pop classics. In fact that section of the concert has gone down a little too well...
Maybe Dan and I are missing our true calling.
I can see it now.
Glitter...
Big hair...
Any hair...
A Christmas number one...

Back to reality - which isn't difficult when you spend most of your life as a self-unemployed musician.
I'm always amazed by some of the perceptions that people have about the UK Christian Music Industry / being a 'pro' Christian artist.
Some dear people seem to think that we sell thousands of CD's a week, tour on a tour bus, get paid handsomely and live a dreamy life of luxury. The other day someone baulked when enquiring how much my CD's sell for. "10 quid each" I said.
"how much?!" he said. "er ummm..... 10 pounds...." I mumbled, looking at my shoes.
He didn't buy a CD.

People see you standing on stage playing expensive instruments and fail to grasp that you're still paying for them.
They see you sell a few shiny CD's and think your 'doing alright' - when in fact your still trying to recoup the recording costs.
Dan and I are driving all over the country in our 2nd-hand motors (at 1.06 per litre), eating whatever we're given (we had a rather nice roast at his in-laws at the weekend and a splendid Pizza at Exeter Church), saving money wherever we can in the hope that at the end of this we will have covered our costs, and hopefully made a few quid each to pay the rent and feed our kids. (That's no exaggeration.)
This blog is starting to sound a bit too much like a rant - my apologies.
Sufficient to say that it's a little tougher than some might think.

There are however some wonderful people who understand completely the challenges of what we do and stand by us faithfully. Our Wives are at the top of the list. Friends and Supporters are a needed second.
And then there is God.
He is in a league all on His own.
One thing that constantly amazes me is the Faithfulness of God.
I've been doing this music ministry thing for nearly 15 years now (can you believe I'm that old) and time after time when it seems like there is no way forward; no way to pay the bills; no way of knowing what's next; God shows up.
And He shows up in all sorts of glorious unexpected ways.

A last minute booking.
A cheque in the post.
A phone call from a friend.

Wonderful God.

And that's what Wheeler and me are singing about this Christmas.
At the top of our lungs - wonderful God.

If you live near Lytham, Seaford or Lakenheath come and see us - and say hello - and bring ten quid...

SP.