Mick & everyone, the Shellback Chorus folks loved the Getaway, bless their marvelous hearts, and are starting to talk about another trip across the pond. Probably happen in 2006, rather than next year.

For the people who haven't been to a Getaway, this is a marvelous shanty chorus group started by Derek Seed. His idea was to find wonderful non-professional singers and give them a chance to spotlight their talents. There are about 60 members of the chorus, and 24 of them came to the U.S. last year, starting their trip with the FSGW Getaway. Each person has three songs they lead, that they have rehearsed with the group, and their concerts vary as to who leads what. HOWEVER, they also have their own wonderful individual repertoires so the variety of music they offer is pretty wide.

Dani, your story about listening to the waltz jam made me melt, too. I remembered the song you all sang in Sunday's concert: "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot."   I've never enjoyed it so much. I especially loved watching Dani's bright smile as she sang. It's gotten so the Getaway wouldn't be the same without her bringing that lovely smile.

Has anyone besides Jeri heard Elizabeth Laprelle's CD? I got to host her and her family for a house concert, meet them all and hear the songs live. Dottie H said it was the best concert she ever heard. Sandy Laprelle, Elizabeth's uncle Jon and aunt Amy, and their family friend Jim Lloyd are also on the CD. Jon, Amy and Jim are old-time musicians, folklorists & collectors. We tried to get Jim Lloyd to the Getaway this year but he had a commitment for Saturday. He teaches old-time guitar & banjo as well as being a great person to jam with. Maybe another year.

I missed the MPSKGQuartet too, and you did get the name right Jeri, for which you should win a prize.

We let the know the dates too late: Becky Kimmons was taking care of her 96 year old grandmother so her mom could go to a college reunion; Bill was hosting a Fairport Convention concert in Charleston, WV; and Will Fanning was home running his inn. They all send their love. They call themselves Soup Kitchen now. There's a new CD, better than the first one if you can believe it. Check the
Soup Kitchen web site.

There's another memory of the Getaway that just came up, reading Janie's comment about "other counselors." Saul Broudy's wife Colleen is a counselor for breast cancer patients. That reminded me that Colleen and Saul were married in June but they couldn't get to the wedding celebration, and Colleen couldn't see the Sunday concert, because there's NO way to get into the TV room without dealing with steps. Colleen and Lisa listened to the concert just outside the room at the foot of the steps. Made me more aware than I've ever been, of the need to build in facilities for wheelchair access. And wish we had arranged the room so the performers were closer to the stairs so Colleen and Lisa could hear better. It's so EASY to be insensitive and unconscious, isn't it? Colleen is another of those people who aren't Mudcatters but still come to the Getaway from a distance, many years, and it was wonderful to see both her and Saul.

Rita