'Is this the way to Amarillo?' by 70s crooner Tony Christie is a favourite of Bolton funnyman Peter Kay who's used it in his stand up routine and in his TV series Phoenix Nights. On Comic Relief night, millions tuned in to watch a specially recorded video, featuring Peter Kay miming to the song alongside a host of TV celebrity friends, including the Two Ronnies, Ken and Deidrie, Jimmy Saville and Coronation Street barmaid Sally Lindsay. The re-released hit has shot to Number One in the UK charts raising thousands of pounds for charity.
 | | Tony Christie and Peter Kay |
But in a twist on Tony Christie's hit song, Texan methodist minister Janie Noble will be finding the way from Amarillo to Bolton - to preach for a year. Reverend Noble be ministering to a congregation of about 200 at three churches in Westhoughton. We wanted to know a bit more .. so we asked her a few questions: Tell us about Amarillo - what's it like? Large city (200,000) in the very northern-most part of Texas. Warm, friendly people, beautiful blue skies and wide open spaces. And how about yourself: your job, your family, what you do in your spare time? My husband, Frank Amon, and I have been married almost 27 years. We’ve lived in Amarillo, San Antonio, Houston, and Chicago – we enjoy living in new places and learning new cultures. Travel is one of our favorite pastime activities. I have several university degrees, a bachelor, masters, and doctorate and have nearly completed a second master’s degree. In May, I will graduate from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University with a Master of Divinity degree. Soon afterward, I will become a commissioned minister in the United Methodist Church. Frank will retire in May, after more than 25 years teaching at the community college level. His teaching field is electronics and computer technology. So why is a Texan minister coming to live in Bolton for a year?
 | | Amarillo: warm and friendly |
Since Frank and I enjoy living in and learning about new places, this just seemed to be a great opportunity. I look forward to being a minister in Westhoughton and Frank looks forward to his first year of retirement with a brand new culture to learn. Has anyone in Amarillo heard the song 'Show Me the Way to Amarillo'? No one that I have encountered. However, it is getting more play time on local radio stations since becoming such a hit in the UK. It's Number One in the UK charts - what's been the reaction over there? It’s been a real surprise, since virtually no one even knew of the song. Since becoming a hit in the UK, it’s been featured in the Amarillo Globe News, our daily newspaper. Now you've heard it, what do you think? It’s a catchy tune and the lyrics are easy to remember – lots of energy in the song. Peter Kay was recently voted the UK's best comedian. Ever heard of him?
 | | Welcome to Amarillo |
Not until now. Hope to see him perform once we live in Bolton. What do you know about British culture - comedy, music that sort of thing? Mostly what I’ve learned from watching BBC America broadcasts, listening to the BBC broadcasts on National Public Radio stations. What do you know about Bolton? Are you looking forward to it? Frank and I have learned a lot about Bolton since we’ve learned that we’ll be living there. We spend lots of time on the Internet, reading and learning. We are quite excited about living there and can hardly wait to arrive. You know people in Bolton have a very strong dialect… do you think you'll understand them? I hope so. I will practice and work hard to learn and understand. I hope they will be forgiving of my Texas accent! | 
