Mark Bicknell

Dave, You are a top bloke, please can you let Tony Monson know that you are doing this, tony.monson@btinternet.com - the support from everyone just keeps growing. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I must have forwarded 40 emails to Solar today, god knows how many have been sent direct? i am doing all i can to keep the show together and i'm sure with all the wonderful help etc. i will make it, the people on this scene are simply a different class when it comes to situations like this, so looks like we could have a few gigs around the country, i want to make it perfectly clear that it will not be my intention to clash with any normal regular events so if an event or two should take place every effort will be made to contact esablished venues first to avoid clashing etc. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Mace infact everyone you are all so so kind and generous, if you feel people won't mind parting with a donation to attend a few events then i'm 100% up for it, i just don't want to come over as a charity case, the show means everthing to me and i will fight tooth and nail to keep on the air, so perhaps we need to work out a battle plan on here. Regards and thanks - Mark Bicknell.

I can't believe this still getting loads of emails, messages and offers of support, please keep them coming it's brilliant. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

This is all so brilliant of you all, i'm sure Solar will also be blown away by your support. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Lots of people have been asking where to send donations etc. i've had loads of emails from all over the place all of which have been passed onto Solar directly, if you wish to send a donation please make cheque out to SOLAR BROADCASTING LIMITED and send to - For the attention of Tony Monson - Solar Broadcasting Limited, Boulevard, 221 - 225 Grove Hall Court, Hall Road, London, NW8 9NR. Please keep me posted as i need to keep a check on where we are on all this, again your support is fantastic, all i want to do is play a few tunes on Sunday nights and it's looking far more solid than it was this time yesterday. Regards and thanks - Mark Bicknell.

They say things always look better after a good nights sleep, well not had that much of a good sleep with all this on my mind but your support so far has been wonderful again anyone who wishes to donate something please contact Solar directly tony.monson@btinternet.com and he will advise how to make the donation etc. The idea of a venue to support this is a superb and i feel could work, i still feel very awkward about this and from the bottom of my heart i thank you all. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

What a night the phone ain't stopped, emails left right and sideways and some wonderful comments on here again i'll try to answer everyone personally but i've basically told everyone if you wish to donate please contact Tony Monson directly at Solar Radio and he will advise contact address etc. tony.monson@btinternet.com - if you do wish to donate can you keep me posted so i know where we are up to bicknellmark@aol.com Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Tabs, Your point is so valid and has been an on going problem, i've had generous support over the years as i mentioned and even self funded and will continue to try and do so, i also will do what it takes to try and stay on air, like i say it's hard to swallow humble pie and come on here with this news but if things do go tits up i felt i needed to explain whats going on and try to get some support and so far the response has been fantastic. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Stevie, I'm close to tears here mate, you are just a decent bloke, i'm like us all mate a normal bloke with no agenda who just wants to play a few tunes on the radio, thanks and we should talk. mark bicknell.

I have contacted everyone by email and IM's who has offered support, your kindness is simply awesome, the venue idea is superb so i may look into that or if anyone has any ideas please feel free to contact me bicknellmark@aol.com Thanks again - Mark Bicknell.

I'm humbled, i've had several emails and phone calls tonight since posting this offering support, believe me i don't want to finish the show as it's so enjoyable to do and is my little contribution with no agenda to this wonderful scene, your offers are all incredible and if you wish to help please can all people offering financial help contact Tony.monson@btinternet.com and you can send the donation directly to the station, as i said i hate this begging bowl method as it's against my nature but you are all so wonderful, with what has been offered so far it will keep the show on air for a few months and perhaps give me time to secure some long term funding. if you want to contact me directly bicknellmark@aol.com i will pass on the emails to Solar directly. Totally blown a way - regards - Mark Bicknell.

I'm sorry to have to inform you that due to lack of funding/sponsorship The Soul Shack will sadly be closing it's doors next Sunday night if i can't turn things around, i have been on Solar for almost six years which has been a blast and a very important aspect to my involvement and contribution to the Northern scene, each specialist show on the station has to be self funding and although i have had some very generous supporters over the years including, Neil Jones, Chris Waterman, Andy McCabe, Stuart Cosgrove, Paul Conroy, Eddy Edmundson, Paul Donnelly, there has always been this financial problem hanging over my head, now i have been on here a couple of times with my begging bowl out, written numerous letters and emails to various companies and orgainisations to try and drum up a little financial support with no great success, i hate asking for money and i feel i can't directly do that anymore. I have always been loyal to the various record companies who have been kind enough to supply me with promo product and have always done my best to preview/review stuff, i would like to thank all the numerous guests i have had on the show over the years and a massive big thank you to everyone who has listened to the show and supported me since November 2000 it's been a blast, finally if there is some kind soul out there who may be able to salvage something then please feel free to contact the station directly Tony.monson@btinternet.com I'm in bits over this and really don't want to finish but i have been told by the station that there are several presenters waiting for a time slot who are funded, lastly i would like to thank everyone at Solar for giving me the chance to play music i really love with no fixed playlist, again if you can show any support even an email of support to the station then we may be able to turn it around but as of 6pm tonight it's looking pretty bleak, we are talking £25.00 per week per show based on a months sponsorship £100.00 which is not a lot but if you have to self fund it is i guess..... contact Tony.monson@btinternet.com Sunday nights may never be the same! Thanks - Really pissed off and upset - Mark Bicknell.

More to follow by the weekend, some of the above now reduced. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

So i was right then mate.....more like twenty years ago OMG...........still you were always ahead of the game Joan. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Don't you start taking the piss....lol and to think you were a little girl when we first met...lol Mark.

You watch next one up for sale will be big money...lol Mark Bicknell.

Well, i took home about £23.00 per week back in 1976, paid my mum £5.00 per week towards house keeping, went to Wigan every week, went out pretty much every night and still had money left next payday, a pint of beer was about 20p so money just seemed to last longer, a fiver must have been worth well a fiver...lol but on the basis of against today five pounds must have been worth like £50.00 today. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Joan.....I think it was a bit longer than 15 years ago mate, you put me onto this way back infact you were there when i bought one at a small allnighter in Stoke i think possibly off Butch??? in terms of value who knows, however this record is long overdue to have it's day at the clubs...........Baby I'm Serious about that.....top tune! Regards - Mark Bicknell.

$7.00 seems to be standard for one 45 won from USA sellers which i'm happy to pay, well i was last night when i won a Bettye Lavette - What's My Condition etc. for a snip of the price, it's all swings and slides guys, take advantage of the lower selling prices right now and swallow the postage, at the end of the day if you play Ebay as many of us do for bargains and the many records that slip through at low prices then it's all part and parcel of the game...whopps sorry there a wee bit of a joke there...lol, I had issues with Ebay more due to being ripped off a couple of times and did not use it for about 18 months, everything is back to normal now and i'm having a ball. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Drop me an email bicknellmark@aol.com Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Sent one back at you, thanks. Mark Bicknell.

The Monclairs - Wait For Me - Sunburst - Good Condition, plain red design not yellow rim, nice record - £10.00 The Persionettes - Call On Me/It Happens Everyday - OR issue - top side plays well flip has some distortion but still plays ok, two fantastic sides. £20.00 Junior Wells - I'm Gonna Cramp Your Style - Bright Star Issue - Clean condition, two superb sides - £20.00 Luther Thomas - She'll Stick By Me - Punch - Classy record - superb condition - £50.00 seen listed for £75.00 Henry Strogin - Misery - Hank - Good condition copy - £15.00 The Mamselles - Open Up Your Heart (Let Love Out) A.B.C Demo - Hard one to find, superb record. super condition - £175.00 The Scott Brothers - We Like Girls - Zachron - Brilliant Chicago Soul starting to get a few spins, slight water damage vinyl good condition plays well - £15.00 Joe Heywood - I Would If I Could - Enjoy - One for the R'n'B lovers, awesome little record, VG condition plays well - Bargain £10.00 Casino Royale - Get Yourself Together - Key-Loc - Fantastic condition, great record - £30.00 The Grier Brothers - Weeping Baby All The Time - Melody Disc - Nice clean copy, great record - £30.00. The Masqueraders - How Big Is Big - Bell Stock/Issue - Spare copy here of this awesome tune, super condition, seen listed for £100.00 so £80.00 should tempt someone. Patrice Holloway - Stolen Hours - Capitol Stock/Issue - Superb condition, awesome Northern - £225.00 Donald Jenkins And The Delighters - Somebody Help Me - Canadian Stock/Issue Regency - This is really nice and not easy to find, sold recntly on an auction for £175.00 plus, super clean copy, class record from Stafford era...blinding record and rare £80.00 More to follow soon - contact bicknellmark@aol.com or telephone 0161 330 6267.

Sorry folks they seem to have loaded the wrong show, just checked, nothing i can do about it, very frustrating again big sorry, i hope the show will run next Sunday. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Recently sold a Demo for £175.00 and JM has stock/issue copy for £200.00. i think the issue is harder to find, fantastic record though. Regards - Mark Bicknell.