Thank you so much :) Happy you enjoyed the song!

Mike, thanks for listening to Old Photos. And thanks again for the inspiration! You've had such a productive FAWM. It's always fun to have the gentle pressure of actually sitting down and being creative in a limited amount of time - to varying degrees of success (speaking personally only😌). I did check out SpinTunes, and found a Christmas song (MFC) by Ironbark. What a hoot! You have great skills in so many genres. Thanks for some great listening - wishing you the best for the rest of 2025!

Thanks for taking the time to listen to all my songs. Life has required my attention elsewhere, but I intend to return the favor as promptly as possible

Thanks for your note, Mike! Yeah I think the page has turned for me. It’s been a good run. Well until maybe 5 years ago. With the AI songs showing up this year that did it for me.

Congrats on your strong finish too Mike! One joy of FAWM over the years has been finding your music. I always really appreciate your comments, listens and encouragement over now 8 years(!). So glad you got this many songs out this year for all of us to savour. I'd be very down for a collab next year (or as I presume you say in Australia, 'up' for a collab).

That would be my most ever extravagant purchase - a 1934 Gibson L00. I do love it though. If the house was on fire, it would be a toss up between that and my mrs that I’d run to save 😉

Mike, I wanted to let you know you've been a bit of a muse for the song I just posted called "Old Photos." It was from a line in The Baker's Boy, which I love and have gone back several times for a re-listen. Fun to get inspiration from a fellow FAWMer! Thanks!

I do not mind, Mike. I would go as far as to say it would be a tremendous honour.

Catching up here on comments...thanks much for stopping by "Common" a few days ago! Since you mentioned liking the horn, I thought I'd let you know we just uploaded a song last night with another smooth flugelhorn line. It's called "Everyone Has a First Heartbreak" if you'd like to listen :)

Great to see you here, and congrats on the book/prize! Let me know when it's out and I'll pick up a copy to read to my kiddos. Seems like you are fawming away apace; hope to hear some more of your stuff in SpinTunes as well.

Hi, Mike, I'm really glad you enjoyed @housewystan's and my collab on Winds of Indifference. I thought she did a terrific job with it. Thank you for letting us know you liked it.

Congrats on getting a book published. From what I understand, it's quite a process. Best to you!

Thanks a lot for your friendly comment. Donnow if it will ever be played (of course I hope it will) - but this won't stop me. Added the info about the opera on the song page, and also translated the lyrics using ChatGPT.

The Baker's Boy prods me that I stilll haven't written a ballad celebrating The Overland. (cue City of New Orleans)

Hi Mike

congrats on the book publishing! I wish you a happy fawning.

Your stockbroker is both appropriately attired and correct to ask. Is he also bipedal? Mine is too! At any rate, a washcloths reunion is long overdue. The western/northern hemisphere is calm this year and I'd like to take advantage of that.

Hey Mike, In case it landed up in your junk/spam I sent you an email the other day. I know you're very busy this month, but one can hope! :0))) Love what I've heard so far!

hey, congrats on the book - looks and sounds totally you! being in print does give one hope about survival, if not humanity's, at least their own... for a few more precious blasted seconds.

first off, congratulations and benificences or something on the book. it will be coming to my house, have no doubt.

thanks for the thoughtful musicianlike comment on 'fire and dust'—Best Beloved makes love songs easy.

Hey Mike! Can't believe I wasn't already following you! Congrats on the book - sounds amazing! Did you have a good MFC?

Well if you want to try another folky-type duet, let me know.

Hey Mike! Looking forward to hearing your songs this year!

WOW!! you're getting a book published! thats fantastic, and the link is saved, so keep us posted. I am far off published but am in the process of writing a book. I am trying to not think about the battle with publishing and just enjoy the creative process, although i do need a kick up the ass now and then. Congrats matey

This cookie-shaped biscuit has done the trick. I mistook it for a biscuit-shaped cookie. Huge congratulations on your book! How exciting!

Happy FAWM!

Hey Mike, look forward to following you closely again this year.

Congratulations on the book. Glad you're here. I look forward to whatever you come up with, even if you come up with nothing. :-)

Things are okay here (on a personal level).

Glad the ear's better if not back to what it was. And congratulations on the book. That's great. I'm happy for you.

I think it's pronounced Port-ish-ead

Hi Mike :) Congratulations on being published - that's fantastic news. Hope you manage to find some time for FAWM this year - but you have an excellent reason if you don't!

G'day Mike!! A published writer hmmmm?? And 20th Fawm?? SOMEONE'S accomplished! Congrats on everything dude, hope we get to hear you this year <3

Wow! Congrats on the award Mike! That's fabulous!! Would love to try writing again together this FAWM.

First, congratulations on the prize! That's pretty awesome! Selfishly, hoping to hear something from you this year. Whatever transpires, best wishes!

Hey Mike I hope summer is going well. Smiling as I write this after reading the award announcement about your book! Congratulations!

Aw, shucks. My favorite Australian. Congrats on the book!

Great to see you here and congrats on the YA novel! That's amazing. I'd certainly be up for a collab again.

Great news about the book, congrats! Hope you manage to squeeze in a couple of tunes.

Great to see you back Mike, can't wait to hear your tunes. And huge congrats on the book, super exciting!

Wow! Congratulations on the book and the prize!!! I'm looking forward to reading it! And, of course, hearing whatever music from you turns up here. Sounds like you will be so busy, with wonderful creativity in all directions.

A toast to the class of 2006! Excited to check out the news in your profile!

Hey Mike! A book, wow!! Congratulations on that 😊 I do hope you find some time to sneak one or two tracks in this month though.

Congratulations Mike !! I'm deeply happy for you that you're getting published and recognized for your creative brilliance. It's long overdue, my friend!

"Last year was a busy one for me, so I haven't written a song since we last spoke." - I thought that was how everyone here functioned, have I been doing it wrong?? (actually now I have a proper solo project going, I've wrote bits and bobs in other months).

Massive congrats on the book, though having heard your some of your excellent music and lyrics aimed more toward younger folk, it's of little surprise to me

Hey Mike! So glad you'll be lurking and hopefully treating us to your signature sounds, which as you know, I'm a huge fan of! Congrats on your publication! What a great accomplishment. Will hop over to your link above. I might have a lyric to send you way, if I get in line quick enough. Cheers!

A WHOLE ASS NOVEL!!! my most heartfelt congratulations to you! if it’s half as good as your songs, i’ll be purchasing it immediately. 🥰 so good to see you back!

Aweh that Mike. Congratulations on all your publishing success!

<3

Wow, congrats on the book and the Ampersand prize win. Well I suppose that’s a fairly decent excuse so we can’t feel too aggrieved about your Fawm output being on rations.

Congratulations on the book! It sounds fantastic! I look forward to checking it out.

I also very much look forward to any new songs you create this year!

I hope you have a fantastic FAWM! And also congrats on 20 FAWMs!

Hi Mike. If my maths are right this’ll be Fawm #20 for you. Maybe we can commemorate the occasion with a suitable ditty.