Some years back I had a computer, but not internet capability. Jerry Middaugh, a folksinging friend of mine, did, and one afternoon he presented me with a big stack of 5¼" floppies (this was a few years ago) containing copies of something he had downloaded from the internet: the Digital Tradition database. Fantastic stuff! I went berserk going through all that material!

Then, in fall of 1999 I got a new computer, subscribed to Earthlink, and started surfing the internet. One of the first things I looked for was Digital Tradition. I couldn't find it at first, but by spending sufficient time blundering around, I stumbled into Mudcat, where DT now resides. As I explored the site, I clicked on the forum link, and discovered a whole new world.

I lurked for awhile, then with sheer delight, I found Sandy Paton's name appearing on some of the threads. I knew Sandy before he left Seattle in the early Fifties, then saw him again at the 1960 Berkeley Folk Festival where he was one of the featured performers. While reading one of the threads where Sandy posted, I felt moved to toss in a comment or two of my own. I received a warm welcome from Bert, Bev and Jerry, and 'Spaw and, I've been messin' around here ever since.

The thread where I first posted.

Sorta like losing your virginity, I guess. It's pleasant and kinda weird, then after you get over the initial bewilderment, you're inclined to try it again. But you never know where it's liable to lead. . . .

Don Firth