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July Datesby Lewis Management
A music download site called www.gigahitz.com is getting a lot of publicity at the moment. It'll be in a Sunday paper this weekend. They have asked the Paul Poulton Project to be one of the few rock bands they will be promoting on the site. "Don't Blame Me" is number five in the rock chart.

The Paul Poulton Project 2008, featuring Ross Lander:bass/vocals, Emily Harding:drums and Paul Poulton:guitar/vocals have been having a whale of a time playing a variety of venues. The Railway gig in Hull was a part of HOPE 08 and went swimmingly. Emily is such a fine drummer and has added her own dimension to the band's music.

The band also recently played at St Michael Le Belfrey, what a posh venue and such a nice setting. The set started at about 8:10pm and finished about 11:10pm, the audience stayed for the whole thing, God bless them, it was a very relaxed concert.

It was then off to Huddersfield where the band were supposed to be playing at Dawn's New Music Venue, but the gig had to be cancelled. So Noel Donaldson our trusty, hard-working, knight-in-shining-armour, agent, quickly put his skills to work and arranged not one but two extra performances at Huddersfield. So thanks Noel, you did us pround man!

So July has been a good month so far. It's back into the studio now to finish the new album: "Looking For Someone To Blame".
European Datesby Lewis Management
Here's a photo of Emily at a recent gig. The gig went extremely well. Emily has been standing in for Joe Blanks and doing such a fine job of it. The music has changed but the new direction is cool, we've had some very encouraging comments from people. Check out some of the new songs on myspace.com/paulpoultonproject if you get a few mins. Let us know what you think of them.

The PPP European agent, Ralf, (all round nice guy) is arranging dates in Europe. He has constructed a web site in German and English you can see it at http://paulpoultonproject.de/bookeng/

The new CD is well under way, much graft (and tuna fish sandwiches) in the studio is paying off. There is still someway to go but it shouldn't be too long before the CD which is called "Looking For Some One To Blame" is out.

We've released a radio single from it and comments from DJs so far are,

"Excellent what can I say." Jeff Kirby, Radio Calderdale

"Nice guitar" Bill Rowe, Radio Poplar & City Sound Radio

"V Good" Radio Beiaard (Belgium)

"This could really make it, great song" 3MDR 97.1FM Australia

"This had something from the first bar." Steve Bridges, Radio Cherwell

There's more but we don't want to bore you all.

The band are having a break in June but we're arranging a few English gigs for July.
Emily Harding steps in for Joe.by Lewis Management
Cool drummer, Emily Harding (The Nuemes) is doing some gigs with the Paul Poulton Project, while Joe has some other commitments.

Emily is also starting a percussion company called "Offbeat Percussion" particulary aimed at female drummers. But she may, (if you ask nicely) let the grubby, dopey male drummers buy something too.

The picture is of Paul, Emily and Ross in Liverpool University Music Library. All those profound and ancient music books to look at and Ross was reading the NME. Huh!
Reviews of Dumb Dogsby Lewis Management
Here's a few reviews of the new Paul Poulton Project CD, Dumb Dogs. It's from the NEVER FOR NOTHING Fanzine




PAUL POULTON PROJECT : Dumb Dogs. (Temporary Music)

"I have to confess to have been looking forward to the release of this cd, this being the first that Paul has released with his current band and particularly the superb Joe Blanks on drums. Paul’s desire is that this album is a closer representation of their live sound and, having heard them live earlier this year, I think he has managed to achieve that. It has more energy than 2005’s “Affected” and coupled with a batch of great songs, it is an excellent album all round. Paul’s unique and bold lyrical approach is finely represented on songs such as “Take the Rubbish Out” - the immortal line “my wife is busy looking in the Argos catalogue” makes me chuckle every time - and one has to admire his ability to attempt things lyrically that in the hands of the less experienced would just sound naff. The songs really groove well too, a nice mix of rock, blues and funk topped with Paul’s inimitable vocal style. Overall, I have a sense that Paul shows no sign of slowing down and continues to produce music of a quality that we have come to expect. In a market swamped by a lack of imagination and constant regurgitation, the Paul Poulton Project is a refreshing change."

9/10

Warren Harry.


>Here's another review from the Crossrhythms website: Reviewed by Philip Croft<

"I saw The Paul Poulton Project earlier this year along with over 1,000 other people at event called Psalms Alive 2007 in Sheffield and I'm pleased to say that this album is every bit as good as the live performances. The band's songs have a cheeky, quirky humour that shows through in song titles like "I Don't Know Bob Dylan" and "Everything Is Falling To Bits" but the real strength of the band shows through on the numbers where there's plenty of chunky blues/rock guitar. I tried very hard to think of somebody to compare PPP to and every time the name Steve Miller came to mind, though really I think these guys are just doing their own thing and doing it very, very well.

9/10

Paul Poulton Project - I Don't Know Bob Dylan
From 'Dumb Dogs'
A set of interlocking guitar riffs conceived by veteran Midlands songsmith Poulton able supported by his funky bassman and mad-yet-extremely-gifted drummer. It's a deliciously funky, bluesy groove allowed to build and build (it weighs in at an impressive seven and a half minutes long) while the throwaway lyric is Poulton at his laconic best. With his brilliant band members Poulton is in the most creative period of his life though it's only rumour that Mr Dylan is to record "I Don't Know Larry Norman".
Tony Cummings


Christianity Magazine:
Dumb Dogs

Paul Poulton Project

After two decades of gigging, Poulton’s 10th full album brings to us a warm, guitar-driven rock set, sometimes funky, sometimes bluesy. At times you can picture him strumming away some catchy riffs on the verandah of a wooden homestead in Alabama as the sun sets, such as in ‘Take the Rubbish out’. Poulton picked up the tag of the English Larry Norman, and whilst not synonymous, I recommend Dumb Dogs to Larry fans. Lyrically we have commentary on Christian living, anectodal stuff, and some simple messages such as ‘Get in the Spirit’. There are three cover songs; the Monkees’ ‘I’m a Believer’ which rocks along nicely; a rock version of ‘Angels from the Realms of Glory’ which actually works (just!) and Swing Low (Sweet Chariot). If you’re a balding Christian guitarist and Paul Poulton popped over to your pad, then he’d have you jamming these tunes in no time.

High: Wonderful guitar work on the opener ‘I don’t know Bob Dylan’.

Low: ‘Swing Low’, doesn’t adapt too well to the Poulton makeover.

Reviewed by Kevin Elliott, a sometime DJ and veteran volunteer youthworker in Cheltenham.


Here's an older song that still gets played live:

Get this widget | Track details | eSnips Social DNA
Dumb Dogsby Lewis Manangement
So "Dumb Dogs" is here. These songs have been played up and down the country in all sorts of venues: blues bars, rock venues, arenas, hotels and church halls in fact anywhere there is a bunch of people. The overall reaction has been very encouraging, people clambering over tables and chairs to get a copy of Dumb Dogs, only to find it hadn't been released yet. Well now it has so we can put you all out of your misery. It contains the songs we play at the gigs that so many of you have enthused about. The famous Joe Blanks on drums, the amazing Ross Lander on Bass, and riff king Paul Poulton on guitar and vocals, he also wrote most of the songs too.

Email us if you want a copy of Dumb Dogs.

Also don't forget to checkout our MySpace site.

www.myspace.com/paulpoultonproject
New Albumby Lewis Management
The new Paul Poulton Project CD is taking shape and will soon be ready to unleash on the unsuspecting population of planet earth. The title of the CD looks like being "Dumb Dogs".

Joe Blanks from BBC TV's "Let Me Entertain You" fame has been putting live drums down. The songs, most of which are original, will reflect the material the band have been performing in rock venues lately. The songs have been received with lots of enthusiasm by audiences around the country. A reviewer from The Blues Bar in Harrogate said, "Excellent original material... I only came in for a drink after work and ended up staying all night to listen to every last song."
MySpaceby Lewis Managment
Don't forget to come on over to www.myspace.com/paulpoultonproject

Paul has been offered a place in this year's London Marathon (22 April 2007).

Places in the London marathon are hard to get as its the most popular marathon in the world. Paul is running it to help raise some funds for a Christian charity who have been helping orphans in Rwanda. The orphans are growing up now and are teenagers which brings its own set of problems, so the charity is still with them through this phase of their life. The charity is called RSVP and is run by the Anglican evangelist Don Egan.

The RSVP trust has a range of projects in Rwanda. More info at:
http://www.rsvptrust.co.uk/africa.html

Go to http://www.rsvptrust.co.uk/give.html and give online, mention (by email) that it's for the Paul Poulton Marathon run.



The Paul Poulton Project recently played at a 1000 seater areana in Sheffield as part of Psalms Alive 2007. The venue was full and the audience were up for it. The festival is a three day event and the PPP played Sat and Sun. It was a great couple of days.



A day of music will be held in London on 24th June 2007.

The event is the brain-child of Alwyn Wall who is pastor of Calvary Chapel, Westminster and well known singer/songwriter.

The event, which is called "Jesus People Day", has a line up which so far includes The Zealots, (UK) The Chuck Butler Band, (US) The Paul Poulton Project, (UK) plus contemporary jazz band Kairos Ensemble, (UK) Special guest will be guitar virtuoso Norman Barratt who will be playing songs with Alwyn's Band. There will also be some teaching throughout the day by invited speakers.

The venue is:

Westminster City School
Palace Street
London
SW1

info@calvarylondon.co.uk



If you haven't seen the "Too Many Things To Worry About" video here it is.



Too Many Things To Worry About

Add to My Profile | More Videos




After being politely nagged, The Paul Poulton Project finally got round to putting something on MySpace. And surprisingly it turns out to be a great place to be, make friends and influence people, and be influenced, (that's important).

NEWayz the band's mySpace is www.myspace.com/paulpoultonproject

You are cordially invited to join in listen and download songs, join the blogs etc... and make friends. Come on over to MySpace!

We'll put the addresses in links so you can go straight there.
Too Many Things To Worry Aboutby CinM
Paul went into the studio last week to record the new radio single, "Too Many Things To Worry About", it's not officially released to the radio stations until Dec 1st but there are stations playing it already.

And guess what? You can see a video of it, right here, right now.

News is that Joe Blanks, the amazing drummer from the BBC TV show, "Let Me Entertain You", will be playing drums on the December tour.
Paul says that, "Joe is an excellent modern drummer, he's 17 years old and bursting with creative energy. I'm really pleased he's playing on the tour." It's Joe playing drums on the Video. Why not check it out, you know what to do by now don't you?
Keeping Trackby CinM
6487 hits on this site last month, that's a lot of hits, where are they all coming from?

Paul has been getting around a bit lately, two gigs in Spain stand out: The band played from 9:30pm until 1:15am, (they like to stay up late in Spain). The venue was next to the Mediterranean Sea, the audience were into the funky grooves and wouldn't go home. So the band played on and on and on; it was a special couple of nights. Music is such a great common denominator, bringing people together whatever country they're from. Music is one of God's special gifts to the world. But Paul didn't use only music to commnunicate, he does speak some Spanish and used it to make some good friends.

From Spain it was off to London to play at the busy Westminster Calvary Chapel, they have four meetings on a Sunday, Paul sang at three of them.

The Kettering Big Tent gig went well, local dignitaries etc... turned up. It was quite windy, and at one stage the tent almost took off, but spirits were high and it only added to the fun of the event.

A week at South Hants Bible Camp is always a lot of fun. Paul did music and some teaching and made some more new friends.

The Paul Poulton Project has a new drummer, it's Ed Freitas, who has just finished a tour with the legendary punk band "The Straps". Ed holds the "World Record for the Longest Drum Roll" and runs the ‘World’s Fastest Drummer’ organisation in the UK. How about that then?

So for all you new friends, thanks for checking out the web site and please keep in touch.
Summer Gigsby CinM
Well stuff has been happeing.

Things have been going down.

Waddaya mean? "Waddaya mean?"

Okay well if you must know, The Key club in Ipswich is a nice venue, owned by some Christians and used for gigs and meals etc... Good audience too, they buy tickets and then turn up and listen: can you believe it?

After the Key and a nice Bed and Breakfast it was off to Bromsgrove, where Paul and band played on the village green, two sets very warmly received. What's more the band were given free access to the biggest cake stall you have ever seen, which is where they spent most of their time between sets.

Paul's publisher Primo Music, have been approached by an American record company, who want their own artist (she's famous in the US, and has an even more famous sister, that's all the clues we can give), to record Paul's version of "Angels From..." Hmmm, this plot is getting thicker.

Paul also spent some time at the church where Alwyn Wall is Pastor in London, they have three services each Sunday, Paul sang at each of them doing a concert in the evening. Alwyn is on top form, interesting preaching, (that's important) and neat band. Jan Wall, Alwyn's son, is one of the best singer/songwriters Paul has heard for some time. Gravelly voice and songs not unlike John Lennon's but 2006, if you know what we mean.

The Kettering Big Tent gig coming up, funded by the government, should be fun for the Paul Poulton Project, not sure about the government though.

On Fathers Day Paul did a gig at his own church in Staffs, his mates came to see, they liked it and said they would like to visit the church again. Paul told a story about Isaac, "Dad can I have another glass of water?", "I've only just given you one", "Yeah but the first one didn't put the fire out in my bedroom".
Salt 'n' Lightby CinM
It was hot, it was sweaty, it was the Berry Hill club late Spring 2006. The gig started at 8:30pm and finished at 11:15pm, (with an interval). The band had played two encores but still the audience wanted more, but come on give a band a break, a line has to be drawn somewhere surely, you can’t Rock’n’Roll all night, can you?

Being “salt and light” is important, those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars in the heavens. It’s mostly churches or concert halls the Project get to play, but clubs can be a lot of fun and a chance to spread God’s love around. Two lads in the audience were flying to Iraq for their stint on the front line, Paul told them and the audience that our prayers would be with them.

Sometimes it's just being with people that counts, before we can talk to people of Christ we have to talk to people.

More band gigs are afoot, check them out if you get a chance these boyz R hot, (and a little bit sweaty).
Back In The Studioby CinM
Primo Music are looking to get "Angels From..." released as a single to the pop market Nov/Dec (2006). It's been remixed from the album version and now sounds hotter than the album version. Of which Crossrhythms said:

"Down the years hundreds of attempts have been made to graft contemporary elements into the Christmas carols but few have done it as brilliantly as the Midlands rock gospel journeyman manages on "Angels From The Realms Of Glory"....

So it's sounding pretty fab at the moment. It has more guitar, fatter vocals, bigger chorus, new arrangement and some tasty samples.

The Christmas tour itself went like a bomb, (that's a good thing, for US readers) especially when the Bedfordshire oil tanker blew up and shook the band in their hotel beds. The gigs were so much fun, with all sorts of people joining Paul and the Project on stage.

While Paul was in the studio working on "Angels From..." he also started work on a guitar based version of "I'm A Believer", which is always such a high point in concerts.
Stuff!by CinM
>"TV"<
Paul recorded several songs for Rev TV (Sky 676) to be broadcast over the next few months, with repeats on their R. Music show.
BBC (Local TV) also want to film some of the Christmas tour.

>"RADIO"<
Radio stations have been letting him know they will be playing songs from "Grooves 4 Scrooge" and could they arrange an interview please if it's not too much trouble. One live interview is going out on BBC Radio Stoke 8:30am Sunday Dec 18th. CJOA Radio in Canada, have put 7 tracks from "Grooves 4 Scrooge" on their December playlist. The Bedford Christmas Concert is being recorded for broadcast on two radio stations.

>"CLUBBING"<
A local club asked Paul to play with his band, "The Project". They were told to finish at 11.30pm, but lads being lads, they carried on for longer. When they finally finished the crowd then called out for more, it ended up being a late late night.

>"OPEN AIR"<
Paul's church asked him to do a gig at the local shopping centre on a Saturday morning for the shoppers. It turned out to be a bright sunny day and people stopped, sat down and listened to the songs and whatever it was he was going on about.

>"DISTRIBUTION"<
Oh yeah, Revelation TV are also helping to distribute two of Paul's albums, with promotion on the box.

What else has been happening?

>"THE CHRISTMAS TOUR"<
Fab gigs as usual. Need to mention the Birmingham gig, several young people at the front of the audience were playing excellent "air" guitar, to the delight of the band. Paul invited five of them on stage and they all played along on their "air" instruments. The Project were so impressed with them they decided to call the new band "The Air Heads". The audience approved.

>"HIT PARADE"<
Paul has been talking to Primo Music about releasing "Angels From..." next Christmas (2006) as a single. They said it could be a Christmas hit is marketed right.

>"LOCAL DIGNITARIES"<
PP was also asked to a school harvest festival to sing. The local vicar would be there and the local Newspaper to take a pic. He didn't know any "Thank You" type songs so he wrote one. Dyawanna see it?

Okay - here's a bit of it...

I'm grateful for the things You've done
I'm grateful for the moon and sun
I'm grateful for the land and sea
I'm glad You made the law of gravity
To float would be a weird feeling
We might hit our heads on the ceiling
And we would need a lot of bandages
I'm glad that You know best.

The kids laughed a lot, as each successive verse got a bit crazier.

Wonder what the vicar thought?

>CD Sales<
"Grooves 4 Scrooge" has been selling well. With multiple orders coming of up to six at a time.
Christmas in Summerby Paul Poulton
It's a weird thing recording Christmas songs in the middle of summer. Chris, the studio engineer, decorated the control room with Christmas trimmings so we could get into the mood. Now we know what Christmas must be like Down Under.

The recordings have gone supremely well. They Rock, Kick, Groove and Float, we've had a blast recording them. The band will soon be limbering up for touring, rehearsals start soon.

Check out the new Christmas CD “Grooves 4 Scrooge” and avoid a visit from Jacob Marley.

And don't say "Humbug" right? Or those chains will be rattlin' all the way to your bedroom door, just as you are settling down with a Batchelors cup of soup.

Scared?

It's the beginning of wisdom!
Grooves 4 Scroogeby Paul Poulton
Baaaa!
Perfect Timingby Paul Poulton
At 5:45am I step out of the door, leaving my wife and little boy - as warm as the proverbial toast - safe and snug in bed, I'm off to Heathrow. First, my band members need to be picked up. Matt Wallace: drums, he goes to an Anglican church, Ian Price: bass/vocals he's a Baptist and I'm Paul Poulton: guitar/lead vocals, I'm a Pentecostal. That's a nice cross-section of the UK church which makes for engaging discussions as we travel. We all seem to be able to throw light on issues, coming from different backgrounds. Being together in a closely confined space for any length of time is also a great way to grow in grace, patience and being a servant, not least for my Dad, Revd. David Poulton. Although his job is only to chauffeur us to the airport I have never heard him complain of our ill-timed departures or the disruption to his own plans.


We are off to the USA on tour. God needs to help us, if one link in this long chain of travel is broken, we'll miss our first concert. Once on board the plane, Matt checks out all the films on show for the eight hours we'll be stuck in the aluminium tube. I read my bible; it's a well-known fact that Anglicans are worldly. And anyway the lady next to me may ask why I'm reading the bible, and I'll get a chance to tell her. After a couple of chapters I sneak a look at my female fellow traveller; she's fast asleep and remains so for most of the journey. So I check out the films.


We land safely in New York, and make our way through customs where I am always relieved of any fruit I may be carrying. Trying to replace my fruit in America is not as easy as you think. We wandered around a market, where there were 'mechanically recovered meat' delicacies aplenty... but no fruit. Eventually, Matt spotted a tiny stall with a selection of apples, bananas etc… So I bought the stall. Well, almost.

We pick up the rental car and headed over the toll bridge towards Staten Island. I'm driving and somehow end up at the wrong tollbooth. A New York cop asks me if I have an "easy-tag"? What's that? I haven't even got a hard tag. "That will be three dollars more", he explains. It's been a long day, we lost 5 hours in flight and have to perform in New Jersey at 8:00pm: which is 1:00am to our body clocks. We arrive at the venue: the Deep End Café. It's run by a beautiful group of Christians who welcome us like we're old friends and feed us with mammoth size pizzas. We've never met these brothers and sisters before but it's easy to tell they've been with Jesus. That's the great thing about Christians: (I've noticed it with Christians from all around the world) we all love one another. DON'T WE? It's not because we're all nice people, but because Jesus commanded it, what an excellent command. The combination of the Pizza and God's love being spread around rejuvenates us and we're ready to bless these people with our music and ministry.

We stay overnight in a large picturesque house, only two spare bedrooms though, one of us has to sleep on the couch, who's it to be? I volunteer, but make a mental note that Ian and Matt owe me one. Then my thoughts turn to the apostle Paul who had sleepless nights and then they moved on to Jesus who had nowhere to lay His head - no wonder He fell asleep in the boat. When John Wesley travelled through America he spent one cold night in an open field, and woke up with his breeches (trousers) stiff with frost, but with no ill effect and continued his journey. I cross out my mental note, thank God for His providence throughout the day and go to sleep.

In the morning, I hear a lady's deep voice saying "D'ya like meat boyz?" I make my way to the kitchen where I find such a fine display of breakfast edibles, it would make breakfast in any hotel in Majorca look mean fare. We give thanks and bless our kind host, who is "given to hospitality". We have to get on the road early again making our way to the next venue: Cornerstone Church, Pennsylvania. Again God makes all our connections for us, we arrive on time get fed and watered, and start the concert. The Lord puts a burden on my heart to speak about forgiveness. People tell me afterwards that God spoke to the church and heartily thank us for coming all the way from "Ingerland". That night we stay in the Super 8 Motel, which was nice but "Super" maybe going that bit too far.

So the pattern of the tour is established. Young people sometimes ask me, "how do you become a Christian musician"? I have to say that any romance about the ministry doesn't exist. It's hard work and furthermore before we can minister to others God has an apprenticeship to take us through. It helps to know what other people are going through before we can minister effectively to them. God trains us all in different ways, for me it was a path of sorrow and suffering. But once I'd come through it, God filled my heart with laughter which has been with me ever since. I need it too, after one concert in a certain Christian Café; we were told that the kitchen of the venue was to be our bedroom for the night. It was a large kitchen but had no windows, so when the florescent lights went out it was pitch black. Ian and Matt lay down on the floor, I was on a sofa; we went to sleep. I heard a voice calling my name, I sprang up and put the blinding lights on. The voice belonged to Matt; a giant cockroach had been nibbling his hand as he slept. The invertebrate must have thought it was his birthday: seeing five warm human digits in his back yard. Unfortunately for the little crustacean - but fortunately for the human - eating living fingers tends to wake the human they belong to up, as was the case with my drummer. We hurriedly followed the little beast around the kitchen in a frenzied chase, with mattresses and cushions flying in the air as he tried make good his escape. Finally the sole of my shoe landed squarely on his crunching body. With all that excitement and knowing that our little friend may have brothers and sisters roaming about looking for a take-away, it wasn't easy to sleep. We killed a total of three cockroaches that night. The final score being Paul 2 - Ian 1. Yes the Joy of the Lord will certainly help you should you ever play, what we now call, the "Cockroach Café".

We gradually made our way from New York to Chicago. On Sundays we were invited to lead worship and preach. The presence of the Lord enriched us all the way; He is truly our travelling companion. It's not easy to plan how a concert or meeting will go when moving around from town to town, but God never lets us down. The secret is trusting God. If we relax whatever happens, the Holy Spirit will work. We found that some people in the audiences would travel from one gig to the next to see us again, blessings on them. God was certainly speaking to people and I felt something on my heart to say at each concert. The tour was hard work but great fun and a real blessing. Before we set out I read Psalm 20 which says, "may all your plans succeed", they did, everything dove-tailed together perfectly. God's good at that.
FOUND: Carols with grooveby Paul Poulton
How many years the Paul Poulton Project's annual Christmas tour has been going is anyone's guess. A long time will do, who's counting anyway?

It's gone exceptionally, fantastically well these last few years. It has "Traditional Carols with Groove" and Christmas songs that everyone can join in with. It's not thrashing, we're sensitive to older folks who might be there but the guitar based music moves along very nicely thank you. The arrangement of the carols are a delight to play, I never get bored playing them, each carol having it's own neat groove to sit in.

There's a multi-media presentation so everyone can follow the lyrics. I get people to think about Christmas as it really is not as the world has made it, ha ha what a joke! i.e. What would Martians think about some of the things people do at Christmas? It's fun and good for Christians and as an outreach to family and friends. Some churches have a party type evening with food, others go for a regular concert.

The band are professional musicians and brothers in Christ:

Ian Price is on Bass and backing vocals, a musician's musician, excellent in every way.

Matt Wallace is on drums, he's an Anglican and his Dad's a bishop, yeah! Well, that's nothing, my Dad won a medal for being in Egypt with the army in the 1950's, the medal hasn't actually arrived yet but it's in the post. Matt's one modern drummer, the kind I like, lots of rhythm, not just hitting the snare on 2nd and 4th beats. Matt also plays with "Vender".

It’s a joy ministering with them. They have humble hearts the kind that's needed for touring, as the Touring Disease, T.O.T.S. is easy to catch; otherwise known among musicians as Touchy On Tour Syndrome.

I'm on guitar and vocals, and arranged the carols, so that's why they're all rhythm based. Not that everyone doesn't recognise them because you will, but they sit neatly into the - and I use the term loosely - "Rhythm 'n' Blues" grooves.

That Christ came to earth should be proclaimed to each generation, hence the PPP Christmas tour.




USA Tour 2003by Paul Poulton
America has such great venues, the Deep End Cafe situated in the picturesque New Jersey town of Lambertville was our first gig. We played it the same day we arrived in the States, it had been a long day - flying the Atlantic and losing five hours in time delay, but the people there welcomed us with open arms. It was such a great gig and what a lovely way to start the tour.

We travelled from New York to Chicago calling in a different venues along the way. Every concert was special, God was with us every step of the way. We played an outdoor concert Sat afternoon in Chicago, Some one shouted "You guy's rock", "Yeah we can play rock'n'roll" I said and started "Route 66", which has the line "It winds from Chicago to LA". After we finished the song I asked "well where is it? Don't write songs about roads that don't exist OK? And another thing where's Gotham City?" I also told them that every English man carries a picture of the Queen in his pocket, and I showed them one too. On a £10 note. I said "she looks a bit old in this picture but that's because the paper's wrinkled."

I got to preach in US churches on the Sunday mornings too, which was a real privilege.

We found that some people in the audience would travel from one gig to the next to see us again, blessings on them. God was certainly speaking to people and I felt something on my heart to say at each concert. The tour was hard work but great fun and a real blessing. Before we set out I read Psalm 20 which says "may all your plans succeed" and they did, every thing dove-tailed together perfectly.

Matt Wallace was on drums, he's a great player and has a neat English sense of humour. Ian Price was on Bass, who is such a fine player and is always calm under pressure and made us laugh on the journeys. It was a delight to be touring with them.

In Indianapolis we played at the Catacombs, the people there were so nice to us, it was a great gig. In Richmond IN we played at Christ United, it's the 3rd time I've been there, it was a real joy to be back. There were so many nice people I can't begin to mention them all, I wouldn't like to leave anyone out. But thanks to every one who came to the concerts and especially those of you who helped organise one. Grace and peace to you all in Jesus Christ.

Plans are underway (DV of course) for a return visit in 2004.
Summer News 2002by CinM
Fab time was had by all on the 2002 American tour, when I heard my songs on the car radio I tried to resist the temptation to splutter out in a feverish frenzied voice: "HEY! THAT'S ME ON THE RADIO", but failed miserably. I took Lorraine and Isaac with me, 5 year old Isaac asked if he could sing a song with me on stage. So we tried it and it worked well, the audience loved his dancing too, so much so that he would steal the show and it would take another 20mins for me to steal it back. He asked me if he could help to sell my CD's after the gig, I said "sure". When I came to get the money from him he told me that it was his money, I said "but they are my CD's" he replied "yes, but I sold them, so it's my money". Tonight I have a concert in Birmingham England, I asked Isaac if he wants to come and sing a song with me, he said "if I sing with you that means I'm working doesn't it?" "Er yes I suppose so," I said warily, "well, am I going to get paid then"? What can I say?

After the US trip it was off to Scotland for five days, England were playing Argentina in the world cup, in Glasgow the Scottish lads were supporting Argentina, I passed one group young men and one had an Argentinian shirt on. I kept my English mouth shut. At least the signs on the Scottish motorways have gone now, someone used to spray paint the motorway bridges especially for us English, wishing us a nice journey home and things like that.

I always have a great time in Scotland and sang at Glasgow, Greenock and Edinburgh, then it was off to Sheffield, Somerset and I've just got back from 6 days in Stoke, singing and talking in schools and churches. I did RE lessons, Music lessons and Assemblies. I went into six different schools, it was such a privilege to talk to about 2000 kids and some teachers about Christ. One Maths teacher asked me to talk with him, he was about 50 years old and had never been interested in God, Church or religion he was a "let's get down the pub" man. But lately God had been stirring his heart and that morning I'd read Zechariah 8, which says, "ten men will take hold of one Jew saying we have heard that God is with you, let us go with you". Alan was his name and he wanted me to tell him what I knew about God. He was quite broken, and ready to listen. (Pastor Karuna was with me from the AOG church). I could tell he had the sacrifices that God requires. I invited him to church on Sunday morning, because I was preaching, but he said he had made plans to go to Warwickshire for the cricket, but low and behold on Sunday morning he came to church, I asked him after the meeting what happened to the cricket, he said he was half was down the motorway when he felt an irresistible urge to come back to Stoke and get to church. I prayed a prayer of commitment with him, God is working powerfully in his life. Praise God! So it was a hard week but very rewarding, we know there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. Some of the kids came to the Saturday concert too. On Sunday evening I sang at a Joint church meeting of Churches in Stoke, it was a real blessing.
News



Paul's new band played carols with attitude last December. Matt Wallace on drums, (Matt plays with hot band Dropknee,) and Ian Price on Bass, (Ian's played with many well known artists). The band's chemistry worked extremely well, it would be good to see this band on the road, which may happen soon.


Matt was also in Paul's line up for the Birmingham Larry Norman concert, which was a great night. Paul picked up Larry that day in London, along with Larry's two sisters and Dougie Adams, Dougie was writing a book about Larry's UK appearances. Larry sat in the front with his leg on the dash board, he'd hurt his ankle running for the Magical Mystery Tour bus in Liverpool. Last time Paul and Larry met they spoke about JFK and CSLewis as it was the anniversary of their deaths, but this time the conversation was mostly "ouches" from Larry, who was trying to get his foot into a comfy position.

Paul opened the show at the Convention Centre with his band, it was a lot of fun. The evening was very relaxed, Larry hobbled out on crutches, not for the first time in the UK. His set was enthusiastically received, and he managed to stand for a while but the pain was making him feel sick so he grabbed a stool, and sat down. Larry always gives himself totally to the audience, despite the discomfort he was still going strong at 11:30pm and asked Paul Poulton's Project back on stage, they played some of Larry's well know songs.


The relaxed feel continued throughout the band section, with Larry laughing at some sections of the audience who couldn't clap in time, then he looked over at Paul who was playing "Why Don't You Look Into Jesus" and shouted "this song is in A minor not A major", "Oh" said Paul, but Larry didn't seemed to mind anyone ruining his songs.


Larry gave a lot of merchandise away at the end of the gig, which ended very late, for anyone who thought it might have lasted one or two hours. In the early hours of the morning Larry, Dougie and Paul were searching Birmingham City Centre for a Fish 'n' Chip shop.

Paul has concerts in the States in May, Scotland and England in June, Portugal in July and will be at the South Hant's Bible Camp too. (DV) of course.