Category Archives: More News
Captain Sir Tom Moore
February 3, 2021
‘The spirit and optimism of Captain Sir Tom Moore is,
and will continue to be, an inspiration to us all.’ – MK
‘Goodbye Kerry’
January 28, 2021
‘It’s painful to have to report more sad news in such sad times: but Kerry Lewis, a much loved and treasured member of our touring crew for many years, passed away on January 26th.
Kerry had been combating cancer for some time and finally succumbed to his illness. Kerry was a lovely and talented guy, our stage monitor sound engineer and a tremendous asset to our team. The success of every performance was what drove him endlessly.
All our thoughts go out to Kerry’s family and friends at this time. Goodbye Kerry – we’re all raising a glass in the direction of your beloved Wales.’ – MK
COMMENTBIA & Local Hero half speed masters
January 27, 2021
‘BROTHERS IN ARMS’
HALF-SPEED MASTER OUT 19 MARCH
‘Brothers In Arms’ half-speed master will be available on 19th March, remastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios.
Originally released in 1985, ‘Brothers In Arms’ features the hit singles ‘Money For Nothing’, ‘Walk Of Life’, ‘So Far Away’, ‘Brothers In Arms’ and ‘Your Latest Trick’. The half-speed album master is pressed on double 180gsm black vinyl, with a series branded obi-strip and certificate of authenticity from Abbey Road Studios, as well as a full colour outer sleeve with printed inner sleeves.
‘LOCAL HERO’
HALF-SPEED MASTER OUT 19 MARCH
The half-speed master of Mark Knopfler‘s acclaimed soundtrack to the film ‘Local Hero‘ will also be available on vinyl on 19th March, featuring the theme tune ‘Going Home’.
COMMENTWinner
January 8, 2021
Mark would like to sincerely thank everyone who entered his Stagehand #ILoveLive guitar prize draw to support production crew particularly hit by the Covid-19 crisis. Together you raised over £69,000 which will go a very long way to helping.
Congratulations to the winner: Richard L. of Belgium.
You can still donate to Stagehand here: http://ow.ly/Y9bk50D2kZm
Keep an eye out for the next round of Stagehand #ILoveLive prize draws coming up soon, which will include more amazing items donated by artists and the music industry.
COMMENTRichard Bennett on vinyl
January 6, 2021
Yield Brother Records, a vinyl only label, has just re-released Richard Bennett’s album Code Red Cloud Nine on 180 gram vinyl, remastered, great packaging and an overview Richard has written about the making of the record and it’s inspiration.
The album is available at yieldbrotherrecords.com ….. and for a few dollars more you can buy the premium package which includes a hand-signed photograph with a dedication of your choosing.
Tommy Stewart’s tribute to dad, David
December 23, 2020
Mark is proud to share Tommy Stewart’s release of ‘Cowboy Song’, Tommy’s first ever single to celebrate his late father’s memory. Having won the ‘Best Demo of the Year’ competition in 2019, Tommy performed on the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury festival last year, and at the opening ceremony of ‘One Young World’ at the Royal Albert Hall; his Dad by his side all the way.
With the help of his brother Jake and his Dad’s colleagues, Tommy recorded the Thin Lizzy song at the award winning British Grove Studios which his father, David Stewart, set up in the early 2000s for Mark.Watch the video and stream ‘Cowboy Song’ here
CONNECT WITH TOMMY STEWART
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | SOUNDCLOUD | YOUTUBE
MK tour passes guitar case
December 11, 2020
This charity auction features a genuine 1965 vintage silver/grey acoustic guitar chipboard case as supplied by Gibson for L1 and similar size acoustic guitars (although you don’t need to put a guitar in it !) covered with unused Mark Knopfler tour passes and looking absolutely fabulous. 100% of the proceeds of this auction will go to Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice in Middlesbrough, North-East England.
Please note: The guitar case has been donated to Zoe’s Place for auction, it has never belonged to Mark.
Auction now closed
Win Mark’s Teisco Guitar
December 3, 2020
Win Mark’s Teisco TG-64 electric guitar made in Japan.
“I felt I could discover things when I bought this classic Teisco TG-64 but diversions came up: European and US tours, recording and travelling, and I never gave it the chance it deserves. It’s perfectly original and in great shape, so I’m certain it has a soulful future with a guitar junkie somewhere.” –MK
The guitar is not signed but will come with a Certificate of Authenticity. Auction ends Dec.14, 05:38 pm EST (USA). Auction on behalf of National Independent Talent Organization which advocates for and promotes the welfare of members and their represented artists via coalitions within the live touring ecosystem.
Friends of Mark: December Discount Offers
December 1, 2020
PORTOBELLO ROAD GIN COMPANY
If like Mark, you fancy making your very own gin, visit The Portobello Road Gin Distillery in Mark’s old neighbourhood of Notting Hill, London, where the highly acclaimed Ginstitute experience awaits. Learn about the chequered history of gin, how its made, and ultimately make your very own recipe to take home, all with cocktails in hand. Enjoy an exclusive 10% off The Ginstitute experience when you buy in conjunction with Mark’s Local Heroes gin, using the code: MKGIN10
(Code valid until 31st December 2020)
THE GINSTITUTE INFO AND VOUCHERS: https://www.the-distillery.london/pages/the-ginstitute
You can also receive 20% off all tonics, including Pedrino, when you purchase a bottle of Local Heroes No. 3 using the code: MKTONIC20
(Code valid until 14th December 2020)
*Please note: only one code can be used per transaction.
D’ADDARIO
D’Addario are the leading manufacturers of high quality musical instrument strings and accessories, and have been Mark’s go-to choice for guitar strings for over 30 years.
‘I always use D’Addario strings on everything, acoustic and electric. In 30 years I’ve never had a bad string on a guitar.’ – MK
They have set up a code for Mark’s fans for 25% off everything on site, plus free shipping on orders over $50/£50 – just enter the code KNOPFLER25 at checkout.
(Code valid until 18th December 2020 in the US and UK only)
SHEET MUSIC DIRECT
An extensive range of Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits sheet music is available to help you learn to play your favourite songs at home via Sheet Music Direct, where you can instantly download to print, or view on your computer, tablet or phone.
Enter the code MARK20 at checkout to receive a 20% discount on your order.
(Code valid until 18th December 2020. Not valid in Germany/Austria.)
COMMENTWin Mark’s Guitar
November 27, 2020
Mark has donated one of his iconic red Fender Stratocaster guitars to a fundraising draw in aid of Stagehand UK’s Covid-19 Crew Relief Fund, supporting stage and production crew through the current crisis. The guitar was played on all of the US dates of Mark’s 2019 ‘Down The Road Wherever’ Tour and at the Verona concert of the European leg.
Mark says:
‘I used this Stratocaster on the song ‘On Every Street’ towards the end of a set. I’d play it through the song then Richard Bennett would join in on his Strat and we’d double the playout figure to strengthen it when the band kicked in with the soprano sax blowing over the top. Live music needs an army of dedicated people who make it happen everywhere, from pubs and clubs to arenas. They need a helping hand now. Please support Stagehand’
Tickets are £5 per entry and can be purchased between Friday 27th November and Friday 18th December worldwide. The winner will be announced on Tuesday 23 December.
COMMENT