It has been mistakenly reported in the US press that Don McLean will walk away from show business following the release of his new album 'Addicted to Black'.

Don would like to make it clear that he is "not walking away."

"I'm just not making any more albums of my own material. I will tour as long as I can. Things are good."

In addition to the upcoming release of his new album, Don's fans can look forward to many more concert dates in the US and the possibility of further tours overseas.

The Don McLean story, "Killing Us Softly With His Songs", has been completed and will be published soon. A new official website will be unveiled at don-mclean.com and americanpie.com to coincide with its release.

The music hasn't died, quite yet....

News from Australia courtesy of Bob Gregg:

The Television Show '20 to 1' has voted American Pie as one of the top 20 songs ever released. It came in at No 18 . They showed footage of don performing the song from each of the past 3 decades.

Dave Fulton has recorded Don McLean's 'And I Love You So'. You can hear his fabulous version here:

http://www.don-mclean.com/guitars/play.asp?p=157

This is the latest fan recording added to our Words and Music page:

http://www.don-mclean.com/guitars/index.asp

Jim Monaghan has created a brand new official forum for Don McLean fans at:

http://p067.ezboard.com/bofficialdonmcleanforum

Please support Jim's enthusiasm and hard work by giving his new site your support. 

The new Google news archive allows fans to search for Don McLean related news stories from years gone by:

http://news.google.com/archivesearch?q=%22Don+McLean%22&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Don's first single in the UK since American Pie hit the top-10 in 1991 is due out on August 28th 2006. It is 'Farewell', the song Don recorded for Mike Read's album SONGS, a collection of songs written by Mike using the lyrics of Sir John Betjeman's timeless poetry.

The single can be purchased from amazon.co.uk:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000H3K58C/026-3476071-3788426?v=glance&n=229816&v=glance

To coincide with the 100th anniversary of the birth of the poet laureate John Betjeman SONGS has been remastered and repackaged. Originally released in 2004, the album will be re-issued this month. At the time of its first release Mike Read provided us with the following statement on Don's involvement:

"I only ever approach artists to perform songs I've written if I truly believe that the song is right for them. Any songs that I'm invloved with have to be a perfect marriage of words and music. This is the case, I've always felt with Don's songs...one feels that the words and music are as one and totally inseparable. I felt this particular song was one that Don would perform beautifully...and he did! Betjeman wrote it in Ireland during the early 1940's, although he kept the object of his unrequited passion carefully cloaked under a psuedonym. I've always loved Don's voice and songs, so I was delighted when he recorded 'Farewell.' Incidentally it was recorded in Liverpool while Don was on a tour of the UK [in 1997]. The record 'Castles In The Air' is still one of the most emotional songs in my list of all-time favourites."
All the best Mike Read.

The current (August/September 2006) issue of Traditional Homes and Interiors includes a stunning 10-page feature on Don McLean and his Maine home - highly recommended reading for all fans. The magazine is on sale now in branches of WH Smith and a preview can be downloaded from the publisher's website:

http://www.cplmedia.co.uk/thi_aug%20sept%20pdfs/An%20American%20classic.pdf

For full information and to purchase tickets, visit the festival website at:

http://www.midlandsmusicfestival.ie/

Story Update:

Check out our forum for fans of Don McLean for festival reviews. Here is a nice photo of Don and Glen Campbell together backstage at the festival:

In today's weekend edition of the Wall Street Journal, Don McLean chooses five albums that showcase the work of great American singer/songwriters.

There will be a "big article" on Don McLean in the UK "Traditional Homes and Interiors" magazine, Aug-Sept 2006 issue.