Digging for a OBE?

So, to Cannes last night for a meeting with Ellis Rich, newly endowed with an OBE for, apparently “services to music publishing”. Anybody who has had dealings with Ellis over the years, as I have, will realise that this honour was as much of a surprise to him as it was to many others who have worked with him in his long career. To be endowed with an honour of this magnitude is clearly an impressive achievement, but, given his err.., shall we say circumspect religious background, and his subsequent attention to the finest financial detail and his reputation for tough contract negotiations, one will always have a sneaking suspicion that a deal was done somewhere.

If Ellis can get an OBE, perhaps I might be next in line? Perhaps for services to journalism?

The queue for tickets for the NRJ awards was truly impressive, stretching from the Palais nearly half a mile down the Croisette in Cannes. Being English, I almost decided to join it. The attraction? The Black Eyed Peas appeared to be the most popular, after all, who would want to see James Blunt?

Today’s picture was to have been of the old perched village of Opio, taken from my garden this very morning in the bright sunshine, but because my blackberry seems to have given up the ghost, and in deference to MIDEM, the music festival, I have decided on a music biz picture of me with Noel Redding, Jimi Hendrix Band bass player, when we did some business a few years before he died. Any suggestion that it was this business that killed him will be met with a furious response from my lawyers, Screwam, Thaiem and Kickum.

Following registration for MIDEM, we sauntered back to Valbonne for a late drink at La Kavanou, which had not changed at all during my long (4 day) period of abstinence. It was like walking back into the embrace of an old girlfriend from long ago. I had forgotten some of the allure, but the excitement was there again, just like the last time I was there.

I am now off to the garden centre, where my presence is required, which sounds ominously like large plants being bought. This is alarming for two reasons; cost obviously, as I doubt that nice lady decorator will be using any of her money for the purchases, and if whatever she is buying requires me to lift it into the car, that would suggest something large, which by definition would imply a large hole has to be dug. Now call be superstitious, or of having second sight, but I suspect I may be required to fabricate said hole, and that means my least favourite pass time, digging.

On the odd occasions when that nice lady decorator can be bothered with meaningful paid work, I never see any of the proceeds. It is, as usual, a case of what is our is our sand what is mine is mine

Chris France
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