Earlier this year I asked Anthony if I could use one of his songs to which his reply was that he'd be honoured (wrong way round me thinks, should be me doing the honouring). I then asked for some help as there were nuances in the playing that I couldn't figure out, it's in my book came the reply, your book is not for sale on the website retorts I

Less than a week later a book, free of charge and two complimentary tickets to a gig of his in Liverpool came through my letterbox ........ how generous do you want, since then we've been invited to a CD launch and another gig.

Incidentally he was brought up in Holywood