Local Legend to Meet Queen, Silver Screen
By Ewan Bishop, Shadbury Standard Staff Writer
4 May 2012
4 May 2012
When Burton MacInnis was just a lad growing up here in Shadbury, he had dreams of getting out and hitting the big time in the music industry. Countless records and sold-out concerts later, he is set to achieve something even he never dreamed was possible -- an MBE from the queen.
In celebration of this honour, an American film crew is producing a documentary on the life and times of MacInnis and his band, the Little Blue Men. We spoke with the gracious guitarist to discuss the award, the film, and his plans for the future.
In celebration of this honour, an American film crew is producing a documentary on the life and times of MacInnis and his band, the Little Blue Men. We spoke with the gracious guitarist to discuss the award, the film, and his plans for the future.
SS: Thanks, Burt, for taking the time to chat with your hometown paper.
BM: Please, love, call me "Chubby."
SS: Very well. Chubby, can you describe what it feels like to be honoured with an MBE (Member of the British Empire) from Her Majesty?
BM: No, not really, because I haven't received it yet, mate. I expect it will feel quite lovely. Unless, of course, they stick me with the pin. To be honest, I'm trying not to think too much about it, as I tend to get nervous about such things.
SS: Really? A man who has played in front of crowds of thousands gets nervous receiving awards?
BM: No, I get nervous around the elderly. There's something quite shifty about most of them. Narge feels the same way, although he did marry one, once upon a time, of course.
SS: Narge, your bandmate and co-writer, Narge Silvers.
BM: Do you honestly know of another Narge?
SS: Can't say that I do. How is he feeling regarding the MBE?
BM: Oh, Christ, Narge is just bloody Narge, y'know? I'm not sure he's even aware of what the whole thing is. I mentioned to him that perhaps, down the road, we may be knighted. He asked if he should take jousting lessons. So that's Narge for you.
SS: What can you tell us about the film?
BM: Ah yes, the film. Let's see, it's being done by an American crew. Lovely lads. The director is a bit strange. He has red hair. Not like an Irishman, but red like an apple. But I guess he has a vision. He also produces a comic strip, which I quite fancy. But, yeah, they've been over here to film us and chat with us. We went to the States as well. Nashville. The country and western capital. 'Twas a nice holiday. They've set us up with a fellow from the BBC, Lionel Pepperidge, and he's been interviewing us for the project. It's about bloody time our story gets told, innit?
SS: Well, your fans would certainly think so. Is it odd having all the cameras around?
BM: It is, yeah. A bit like reality tele, I would imagine. They say they want to show us "warts and all," but I think Preston might find that a bit too embarrassing.
SS: Preston Williams, your touring keyboardist?
BM: Yeah. He's got a bit of a wart problem. Tried for years, with no success, to rid himself of them. But good on the director for trying to be completist about the whole thing.
SS: When is it coming out?
BM: Not sure, love. They say they're shooting for the spring. As in, a year from now. Don't know what takes so bloody long, but it's in their hands, y'know?
SS: What's your favourite colour?
BM: What? Seriously? You have me for fifteen minutes and you want to waste time with rubbish like that? What the devil kind of journalist are you?
SS: I just thought it would be a fun question.
BM: It's not. It's bollocks. And you probably think it'd be really fun to hear me say "blue," don't you? Well, sod off, it's "plaid."
SS: Well, Chubby --
BM: Call me Mr. MacInnis.
SS: Alright, Mr. Mac --
BM: (laughing) I'm just taking the piss, Chubby's fine, and you know what? It was a perfectly fine question, and one that deserved an answer. Me favourite colour's green, love!
SS: Well, I'm pleased you're not angry.
BM: No, mate, just having a laugh. Thanks for the chat. Always nice to reconnect with the old hometown. Say hello to your mum for me.
SS: You know my mother?
BM: Probably.
BM: Please, love, call me "Chubby."
SS: Very well. Chubby, can you describe what it feels like to be honoured with an MBE (Member of the British Empire) from Her Majesty?
BM: No, not really, because I haven't received it yet, mate. I expect it will feel quite lovely. Unless, of course, they stick me with the pin. To be honest, I'm trying not to think too much about it, as I tend to get nervous about such things.
SS: Really? A man who has played in front of crowds of thousands gets nervous receiving awards?
BM: No, I get nervous around the elderly. There's something quite shifty about most of them. Narge feels the same way, although he did marry one, once upon a time, of course.
SS: Narge, your bandmate and co-writer, Narge Silvers.
BM: Do you honestly know of another Narge?
SS: Can't say that I do. How is he feeling regarding the MBE?
BM: Oh, Christ, Narge is just bloody Narge, y'know? I'm not sure he's even aware of what the whole thing is. I mentioned to him that perhaps, down the road, we may be knighted. He asked if he should take jousting lessons. So that's Narge for you.
SS: What can you tell us about the film?
BM: Ah yes, the film. Let's see, it's being done by an American crew. Lovely lads. The director is a bit strange. He has red hair. Not like an Irishman, but red like an apple. But I guess he has a vision. He also produces a comic strip, which I quite fancy. But, yeah, they've been over here to film us and chat with us. We went to the States as well. Nashville. The country and western capital. 'Twas a nice holiday. They've set us up with a fellow from the BBC, Lionel Pepperidge, and he's been interviewing us for the project. It's about bloody time our story gets told, innit?
SS: Well, your fans would certainly think so. Is it odd having all the cameras around?
BM: It is, yeah. A bit like reality tele, I would imagine. They say they want to show us "warts and all," but I think Preston might find that a bit too embarrassing.
SS: Preston Williams, your touring keyboardist?
BM: Yeah. He's got a bit of a wart problem. Tried for years, with no success, to rid himself of them. But good on the director for trying to be completist about the whole thing.
SS: When is it coming out?
BM: Not sure, love. They say they're shooting for the spring. As in, a year from now. Don't know what takes so bloody long, but it's in their hands, y'know?
SS: What's your favourite colour?
BM: What? Seriously? You have me for fifteen minutes and you want to waste time with rubbish like that? What the devil kind of journalist are you?
SS: I just thought it would be a fun question.
BM: It's not. It's bollocks. And you probably think it'd be really fun to hear me say "blue," don't you? Well, sod off, it's "plaid."
SS: Well, Chubby --
BM: Call me Mr. MacInnis.
SS: Alright, Mr. Mac --
BM: (laughing) I'm just taking the piss, Chubby's fine, and you know what? It was a perfectly fine question, and one that deserved an answer. Me favourite colour's green, love!
SS: Well, I'm pleased you're not angry.
BM: No, mate, just having a laugh. Thanks for the chat. Always nice to reconnect with the old hometown. Say hello to your mum for me.
SS: You know my mother?
BM: Probably.
Copyright 2012, The Shadbury Standard