"It's been the best of times it's been the worst of times it could scarcely have been both. It is the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair". Thank-you for reading

Its been a hard winter! The Medicine Show is still 'off the road'; with both vans (this one and the Canadian one) needing mechanical attention that I don't have the resources to provide. I have been offered a scheme to get us back on the road, but need your help. Please read on.

Out of the mud and into the music.

​One minute broadcasting joy to the world; the next, I'm staring at a jack and a toolkit on the side of the road and a £3k mechanics bill, only to find myself right back to square one. This has become the paradox of The Medicine Show Radio Moose Mobile .

​No lack of vision, support and songs, IE 'the spirit' — however we need the wheels to match, and that needs urgent action. So I'm forced to launch this fund raiser and throw myself and iMtv on your generosity yet again.

From today we’re raising funds to "Rehoose the Moose" this one has become 'a money pit' it's a liability and it's going up for sale as a project (one I can no longer afford) it has to go! I'll sell that in April and take what money I can get back on it to Canada and endeavour to 'Get the Canadian Van to Vancouver' but that's another story. (stay tuned)

Meanwhile its not all doom and gloom, I've enjoyed being home again this winter in beautiful Nairn covering its emergence as 'Scotland Wee Toon of Music' and have had a lot of help trying to fix the current Moose, all to no avail sadly but thanks folks (you know who you are)

There maybe light at the end of an otherwise luckless tunnel, the bubble picture above shows a van we have been offered in a friendly deal, its a Flat Ducato with only 47000 miles, most of that added on one successful continental trip, she's fully tested and certificated and will be kept for me till I get home for Belladrum Festival July 30th. This lovely wee van became available from another friend who is a diesel Mechanic and if I hadn't already bought the Hymer, I would have had this one, knowing its history and I could have been in Morocco by now (sad but true).

So I'm asking you to help me get this mobile studio back where it belongs - mobile!

I'll be fund raising all over the summer, in Canada too and will throw what money I can make as a publicist and from Belladrum at this appeal as well. We have 2 Albums to promote and the Spring Songwriter season in full flow offers of benifit gigs and getting on for 50 artists signing up to help with this push (thanks is means so much to have this support)

iMtv - international Moose TV has 30,000 followers across its 15 channel outlets, needless to say I'll be shaking the bucket in every direction possible, I do need to not find myself homeless after Belladrum Festival (true story) The hope is to be heading south for the winter, to pick up The Celtic Fringe Stravaig in Ireland bound for Bilbao on the trail of the Portuguese Knight Templars and the Celtic sages of old (and of new) and in pursuit my #robshistoryblog and in the intuitive traveling mode and model that has become The Moose and as was the plan last year.

Please help

Out of the mud and into the music.

It’s rough out there and it’s only going to get rougher (chances are) so the Medicine of music is never more needed that is our mission and always has been, the Medicine Show Radio Moose Mobiles maybe the equivalent of a gypsy wagon and a couple of pack mules in the scheme of things… However we make media, artists and artisan friends everywhere, and connect their like mindedness, we help release albums, promote videos, concerts, tours, support the otherwise neglected independent songwriter sector and roots music in general with a passion, anyone who helps us we help them that's the deal and its nonexclusive.

It maybe 100% circus Buffalo Bill, Col Parker, prt Barnum prt Ronnie Lane Passing Show hokum, but I'm so very proud of the legacy, the archive and our following - it continues to grow while I can keep one step ahead of the decent town folk and their tar n feathers….There is a a revolving cast of rejects, troubled ladies w banjos in mini skirts and other miss fits with magic in their wings out their to be found, at every turn in the road. Such is my calling - please help me fulfil my purpose.

You'd be very welcome along for the ride, virtually and/or in person (Vancouver or Tangiers anyone? ) thanks in advance every contribution is a god send at this point…

Rob Ellen

http://linktr.ee/rob.ellen