Its Competition Time !

In conjunction with TEN-ONLINE I am pleased to announce a new competition, this time courtesy of TEN keyboard maestro extraordinaire Paul Hodson. Paul has donated his 'encore' hawaiian shirt from the 2001 TEN tour. As an added bonus the shirt has been autographed by Paul.

What's the catch ? Well you have to answer the following three questions as set by the man himself :- In which band did Paul first start working with Bob Catley ? Which member of Slade has Paul worked with for 15 years in various recording projects ? Paul guested on an album called 'A Man With A Vision'. Who was the artist ? Competition closes at Midnight 31st December ( GMT ). E-Mail your answers to webmaster@ten-online.com ( with a subject line of "TOTB - Paul Hodson Competition ).

This competition continues the ongoing co-operation between TEN Of The Best & TEN-Online, and I would like to take the opportunity to thank Craig for all his support.

TEN / GARY HUGHES NOW & THEN PRE-ORDERS

Message from GARY HUGHES, courtesy of the official ten-online website

"As some of you are aware, there has been a recent Now And Then Records catalogue mailshot which includes pre-order information for forthcoming Ten and Ten related products. In answer to all recent enquiries regarding the completion of the Ten 'Live' DVD/Video/CD, and my 'Once And Future King' albums, I can confirm that Now And Then Records (the label involved in the European licensing of these particular products) are taking early pre-orders on these products and at a lower price than they envisage will be the case when the products are eventually released.

However, I must point out on behalf of myself and Ten, that although good progress is being made on these albums, the finished products are some way off completion. I can appreciate Now And Then's motivation over these albums, but I feel that it is only fair to point out that a purely speculative release schedule for any of these albums could be April next year at the earliest. Therefore, anyone ordering these products from Now And Then at this stage can expect a considerable waiting period before receiving the finished articles. I'm not saying don't order these products at this time, I'm just saying be aware of the undetermined timescale factor if you do.

Many thanks.
Gary Hughes"

Latest News from TEN keyboard supremo Paul Hodson

HODSON
Paul Hodson will be writing and recording his own debut album with his band Hodson which is tentatively entitled 'This Strange World' due for release in 2003.

With Hodson, Paul will surprise many people with his excellent, Graham Bonnet style vocals and the epic DIO meets TEN nature of the material will clearly appeal to a wide audience. 

Also ...

BOB CATLEY
Bob Catley is currently in pre-production for his fourth solo studio
album, the album as yet untitled is being written & produced by TEN'S
keyboard player Paul Hodson, the album will be released April/May next
year with a UK and European tour to follow. This will be the first album
to feature Bob's own band being involved in the recording.

The material will be classic, epic melodic hard rock signalling a new
chapter to the story of one of the UK's favourite rock artists, due for
release April/May with a full UK and European tour to follow. 


I hope to have more news from Paul in the near future so please watch this space.

YOUR BAND NEED YOU ! VOTE FOR TEN NOW !

TEN are one of the bands that are being considered for the Sweden Rock festival next June. If you visit the Sweden Rock website and chose the 'Vote for 2003' menu option, you can choose from a number of acts.

Initial "ONCE AND FUTURE KING" Details Announced

Thanks to TEN-Online, we now have some 'official' news on Gary Hughes' latest project.

Contrary to the popular belief, the project will be titled "Once and Future King". The project will be available in two parts which will be released with a speculative 3 months gap between them.

The artwork for both albums will be handled by world famous fantasy artist Chris Achilleos whose last venture into the music art arena was with Whitesnake's legendary "Lovehunter" album.

The artists who have been confirmed so far are:-

• Gary Hughes (TEN) who will play Arthur
• Bob Catley (Magnum) who will play Merlin
• Doogie White (ex Rainbow, Cornerstone and current Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist) who is to play Mordred.
• Sean Harris (Diamond Head) who will play Galahad.

TEN are to provide the musical backdrop for the epic with additional guest musicians to be announced.

Although we cannot confirm further names, the vocal parts have been sent out to the respective vocalists and it's only a matter of time before more names can be announced. Watch this space !

In the mean time Gary and Chris are currently working on the guitar parts for the next TEN album which are coming along brilliantly.

LATEST RUMOURS FROM MELODICROCK.COM

From the noticeboard of MELODICROCK.COM comes the following bits of information. Please note that none of these are official statements.

Next TEN Album

The next Ten album is written, but recording won't start until the King Arthur albums are completed.

Gary Hughes - King Arthur "Concept Albums"

"The King Arthur "concept" is over two albums, which will be released separately.
No release date scheduled yet (lead vocals still to be completed by various guests)."

"Went around to Gary's on Wednesday to listen to the songs for both albums. Haven't been this excited since 'Name of the Rose'/'The Robe'. Some tracks are almost metal, in a 'NotR' meets Avatasia style. Will be IMMENSE when completed. Other songs are more commercial, but more hard rock than 'Precious Ones', which was very AOR. What I really liked was that the songs for the different lead vocalists had individual styles - so it will definitely NOT just sound like a Ten album with different singers. Varied guitar sounds have been used which takes the songs even further away from the Ten signature sound. These are definitely HARD ROCK albums with AOR moments, rather than AOR. But it's gonna sound huge!!!"

Gary Hughes - Solo Album

"Gary will be doing another solo album next year, after the next Ten album. Haven't discussed the style, but I would imagine it would be in the vein of 'Precious Ones'."

GODS 2002 - Part 2 - TEN

Now online is a review of TEN's performance at the recent Gods 2002 event. Many thanks to Nicky Baldrian at http://www.longislandmusicscene.com/ for the use of the review & to Britny Alfonzetti for writing the review. Check out the TEXTS section or Click Here to read.

GODS 2002 - Part 1 - TEN

The set was recorded in the hopes of a DVD being released and I'll try to keep you informed of any developments in that area.

The set list was :-

Photos Courtesy of Arvan Zee. 
Many Thanks Arvan

New TEN Website In Germany

TEN-Germany ( http://www.ten-germany.com/ ) has just been launched, which includes both English & German content.

I'd like to welcome Jörg to the family of TEN webmasters, and hope that this new site will be enjoyed by all.

TEN OFFICIAL SITE GETS MAKEOVER

TEN-Online ( http://www.ten-online.com/ ) has just been re-launched with a new design. I'm sure you'll all join me in congratulating Craig on a great new look.

Included in the design is a new discussion board / forum. For those who do not wish to have their e-mail address bombarded with Ten information, this now gives you the chance to discuss Ten with like minded fans.

I do hope, that with your help, we will be able to increase that sense of community that we already have.

My local radio station is having a vote for your five favourite songs event ... and they will play the top 500 numbers.

If we all got together and voted for our five favourite Ten tracks ... ( preferably the same tracks ) ... then with all the support around the world we may manage to get Ten some airplay !?

My suggestions are :-

• Scarlet & The Grey
• What About Me
• We Rule The Night
• Name Of The Rose
• After The Love Has Gone

SUFFOLK'S MOST WANTED

Over the next few weeks we are compiling Suffolk's Most Wanted songs and then between May 24th and May 28th we will be playing out the top 500.

But before we can play them out we need you to choose them and you can start by clicking on the link below and telling us your five favourite songs.

Click Here To Vote

There will also be more chances to win when we play out the chart you have chosen.

THE GODS 2002

Now & Then Productions is delighted to be able to announce details of The Gods 2002.

To commemorate the tenth anniversary of the worlds first and most successful AOR / Melodic Rock specialist label we have put together what we believe to be the strongest line-up yet.

DATE: Sunday, June 2nd, 2002
VENUE: PENNINGTON'S, 110 MANNINGHAM LANE, BRADFORD, UK.
TEL: 01274 304455
http://www.penningtonslive.com/

The venue is the best equipped, most luxurious venue in the North of England and has an adjacent car park for around 300 cars.

LINE-UP:

HARDLINE
Making a long overdue return to the UK, Hardline will be playing classics from "Double Eclipse" as well as previewing material from the forthcoming "II", which is due in August.

TEN
Continuing on from their "Far Beyond The World" tour Ten can be relied upon to deliver a set of brilliant classic hard rock. The band are veterans of The Gods but this will be the first chance for many people to see them with new guitarist Chris Francis.

HAREM SCAREM
Making their UK debut in support of the critically acclaimed (by press and fans alike) "Weight Of The World" Harem Scarem are certain to leave their mark on the Gods. The band will play material voted for by the fans plus a selection from their newly released album.

MECCA
UK debut for the Joe Vana led Mecca, featuring Fergie Frederiksen (Le Roux, Toto), promoting their self titled debut, which features all songs co-written by Jim Peterik of Survivor. The live band will also feature former Trillion frontman Thom Griffin.

JEFF SCOTT SOTO
Jeff will be playing a "best of" set featuring material from many parts of his career as well as his debut solo album. Jeff is promising to deliver material from his time with Yngwie Malmsteen, Eyes, Axel Rudi Pell and Talisman.

PULSE
Second Gods appearance for hard rockers Pulse following last year's well received set. The band has been building a strong following at their shows in the Midlands and their brand of early Whitesnake meets Heartland rock is sure to get things off to a superb start.

Two further acts to be announced in the next couple of days. Both acts are names which will be very welcome additions to the bill. One will be making it's Gods debut and the other will be completing the circle, having performed at the very first Gods show.

The Gods 2002 will be filmed and recorded for future release on both DVD and CD.

Remember that Monday and Tuesday 3 & 4 June will be UK Bank Holidays due to the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

DOORS OPEN 11:30 AM. Show goes on until approximately 2AM.

TICKET PRICE: £25 advance, £30 on the day.

Tickets can be purchased directly from Now & Then. Make Cheques / Postal Orders payable to Mark Ashton. Send orders to Now & Then, Unit 23, Empress Mill, Ince, Wigan, WN2 2BG, UK.

28 April 2002: Paris, France - Elysee Montmartre (mini-festival together with Royal Hunt, Superior, Ten and Manigance)

16.45 - doors open
17.00 - 17.30 - MANIGANCE (30 min)
17.45 -18.25 - SUPERIOR (40 min)
18.40 -19.25 - TEN (45 min)
19.40 -20.40 - ROYAL HUNT (60 min)
21.00 - 22.30 - VANDEN PLAS (90 min)

01:45am - Just got back to the hotel from the TEN warm-up gig in Rochdale. It was a crackin' gig - further details to follow ( once I've had my beauty sleep ).

However for now here is the setlist :-

• The Name Of The Rose

• Wildest Dreams

• Scarlet And The Grey

• What About Me ?

• The Robe

• We Rule The Night

• Spellbound

• Stay With Me

• Through The Fire

• High Tide

• Wait For You

• Thunder In Heaven
  

• March Of The Argonauts / Fear The Force

• After The Love Has Gone 

READERS TOP 25 OF 2001

TEN - FAR BEYOND THE WORLD has been voted as the Number One album of 2001 by readers of MajesticMagazine.com.

see www.majesticmagazine.com for the full list.

TOUR DETAIL CHANGES

Following a chat with TEN's Tour Manager Paul Collis, I can confirm that the Paris promotional gig will not be happening on the 19th Jan. Instead Gary will be recording numerous interviews with various radio stations. I hope to get details of which stations and expected broadcast dates & times shortly afterwards.

I can also confirm that the entire Easter Melodic News tour ( which was to have been five bands doing four dates over the Easter Weekend in Germany & Switzerland ) has now been cancelled. 

However Paul did stress that TEN will be doing more dates in Europe & UK this year. 

The dates so far are as follows.

17th Feb

Rochdale Transport Club

Ten will be playing a warm up show at Rochdale Transport Club on February 17th in preparation for their Japanese shows, tickets will be £8 and are available on the door.

24th Feb Japan Tokyo - On Air East 26th Feb Japan Osaka - Big Cat 27th Feb Japan Nagoya - Club Quattro

22nd Mar	Rio's - Bradford	Special Guest Slot with ASIA Bradford Rio
23rd Mar	Rock City - Nottingham	Special Guest Slot with ASIA Nottingham Rock City
24th Mar	Mean Fiddler - London	Special Guest Slot with ASIA Mean Fiddler

More details to follow

Also chatting with the band after the show, John, Steve, & Paul are all at work on solo material. It looks like John's is virtually complete ( bar choosing which songs to go on the album ). Paul has got some songs down and is in progress, while Steve's is still at an early stage. 

Gary is still busy upgrading his studio, in between guitarist auditions, interviews, and of course over the coming weeks rehearsals. 

More details when I get them.

Official Statement/Press Release
 TEN ANNOUNCE NEW LEAD GUITARIST

Click Here For The Full Official Statement

As of 11 January 2002, Ten are proud to announce that the new lead guitarist is Chris Francis.

Chris is 25 years old and hails from Kent. He graduated from the London Guitar Institute (G.I.T.) with honours in 1999 and reached the finals of Guitarist magazine’s ‘Guitarist of the Year’ contest one month later. He did even better in 2000 by winning the ‘Guitarist of the Year’ award and has not looked back since.

http://www.chrisfrancis.net/

Speaking to Ten-Online.com Gary Hughes has announced the first tour dates of the forthcoming tour.

The dates so far are as follows.

12th Jan	Acoustic Promotional Gig Rock City - Nottingham 0115 941 2544	Doors open at 8:30pm and admission will be £4:50 on the door.
19th Jan	Acoustic Promotional Gig Paris	Venue to follow
24th Feb	Japan Tokyo - On Air East
26th Feb	Japan Nagoya - Club Quattro
27th Feb	Japan Osaka - Big Cat
22nd Mar	Rio's - Bradford	Special Guest Slot with ASIA
23rd Mar	Rock City - Nottingham 0115 941 2544	Special Guest Slot with ASIA
27th Feb	Mean Fiddler - London	Special Guest Slot with ASIA

Easter Weekend

Ten will headline the four dates on the Easter Melodic News Festivals. These will take place over the Easter weekend, taking in 3 dates in Germany and 1 in Switzerland.

More details to follow

Also from MelodicRock.Com is the following comment from Now And Then's Mark Ashton on Gary Hughes' "Once And Future King" project.

I'm really looking forward to Gary Hughes "Once And Future King" concept album finally being recorded and released in 2002. I've been discussing this album a lot with Gary over the past few weeks and the whole thing is falling into place very nicely and looks set to include some great (and different ) names. The quality of the material is assured and it's going to be something truly special I feel.

Hope your New Year hangovers are not too bad. Anyway hot on the heals of Majestic, MelodicRock.Com have opened their best of 2001 voting booth.

Here we go! Online now is a detailed wrap up of 2001 and a few thoughts on 2002. Plus, your chance to add your own Best Of lists and Vote in the 2001 poll. Follow the links:

The Best of 2001 | Vote in the 2001 Poll | Add your Top 10 Lists

Just in from Fred at Majestic Magazine

Just like last year I'm putting together a readers poll. Please come over to Majestic Magazine and send in your favourite 5 albums of 2001.The voting page is accessible from the front-page.

Thanks in advance,

Fred
www.majesticmagazine.com

• 24th February 2002 - Tokyo - On Air East
• 26th February 2002 - Osaka - BigCat
• 27th February 2002 - Nagoya - Club Quattro

I'll be publishing the exclusive TEN Of The Best / Ten Online interview with Gary Hughes shortly so watch this space.

I'm also working on a new picture gallery set of pages, so they will be back shortly.

• Glimmer of Evil
• Strange Land
• High Tide
• What About Me
• Last of the Lovers
• Outlawed and Notorious
• Scarlet and The Grey
• Heart Like a Lion
• Black Shadows
• Who Do You Want To Love
• Far Beyond The World

• 24th February 2002 - Tokyo - On Air East
• 26th February 2002 - Osaka - BigCat
• 27th February 2002 - Nagoya - Club Quattro

• Scarlet and The Grey
• Strange Land
• What About Me
• Glimmer of Evil
• Last of the Lovers
• Heart Like a Lion
• Black Shadows
• High Tide
• Far Beyond The World
• Who Do You Want To Love
• Outlawed and Notorious
• The Soldier

Official Statement/Press Release
 regarding TEN and Vinny Burns

Click Here For The Full Official Statement

"Regrettably, Vinny Burns has made a decision to part company with TEN. TEN would like to assure the fans that the band will continue. All plans for the Album release of "Far Beyond The World" are in place. The bands 2002 touring and promotion plans are unaffected."

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Vinny for some great moments with TEN, and for spending time to talk to me after the gigs. I wish him all the best for the future, and look forward to his forthcoming second solo album.

I'm certain that it will not be long before we see 'The Viper' back on stage with his trusty white Flying 'V' Guitar !

• Glimmer of Evil
• Strange Land
• High Tide
• What About Me
• Last of the Lovers
• Outlawed and Notorious
• Scarlet and The Grey
• Heart Like a Lion
• Black Shadows
• Who Do You Want To Love
• Far Beyond The World

Scarlet and the Grey, High Tide, What About Me, Heart Like a Lion, Strange Land, Black Shadows, The Last of the Lovers, Glimmer of Evil, Who Do You Want To Love, Outlawed and Notorious, Far Beyond the World.

The cover will be designed by guitar player John Halliwell ( who also designed the tour programs for the recent European tour ).

Ten's core lineup of Gary Hughes, Vinny Burns, Greg Morgan, John Halliwell and Steve McKenna were joined by keyboard player Paul Hodson (Bob Catley/Hard Rain). Paul made a great impression with his sterling work while guesting with Ten on their European and UK tour earlier this year.

Release date is planned in early January 2002.