He says most of his rarities customers are either completist collectors or Year of the Cat-era fans who rediscover the artist after having lost touch with his work. But he confirms that there is a growing stream of folks picking up copies of the newest recordings (DITC, ABFOS). Judd credits Stewart's support team. "EMI (his British label), Appleseed (his US label), Skyline Booking (US), Asgard (UK) are all great. In the past, Al has not always had such a fab team. Now he does.

Factor in Steve Chapman, who is an amazing manager," Judd continues. "And of course Kim's work for the past decade along with the Internet, and someone like Al can have a high profile, around the globe, far easier than not so long ago."

Kim Dyer would concur. Her AlStewart.com, the artist's official Web site, presents information about the singer-songwriter's current releases and concert schedule. Fans can also find Al-related links, album and song lyrics, guitar tabs, and the occasional surprise. You can also subscribe to the snail-mail newsletter via the site. "The Chronicles is $8/year for folks in the US and Canada, and $11/year for folks overseas. That hasn't gone up in 10 years, so you know I'm not doing it for profit. There is a link to Amazon.com on the web site, and the small referral fee I get when people use that link to make their purchases has helped cover the printing, postage and other expenses."

Dyer credits her site with helping reconnect fans with Stewart and his music, a job made much easier with his career upswing. "Back when I started doing the Chronicles, there were times when I didn't have a single concert to announce when I went to press," she says. "This year we announced dates on the 2006 UK tour just weeks after he returned from the 2005 tour — and we already have a 2007 date announced. When I first started doing the Web site, there were venues Al played in the UK where the 'dressing room' was the loo in the petrol station across the street. In 2005, he played the Barbican, the home of the London Symphony. In 2006, he's booked into the Royal Albert Hall in London."

The range of Stewart's growing fan base is nothing less than amazing, according to Dyer. "I hear from highly educated people all over the world who have loved Al's music for decades — and they are thrilled to find out he's still performing and recording. I also hear from college students who grew up with his work, or were introduced to it by a roommate who had," she says. "I remember one concert where a whole bunch of guys in leathers rode up on their Harleys for a concert. Afterwards they were all in line holding well-worn copies of Al's albums to be autographed. I've seen 10-year-olds who know all the words to "Roads to Moscow' and people in their 70’s dancing to 'Night Train to Munich.' It's something else, it really is."