From The Snail:

"Perhaps Soldier boy could have expressed himeself a little more temperately but his frustration that his Celebrate 'Folk' thread had been turned into a mutual admiration society and a first draft for Bruce Murdoch's autobiography is understandable..."

Sorry, I disagree, with all due respect.

It would have been better if 'soldierboy' had said nothing at all, and sat back to read a few, but interesting messages, between two posters who obviously have a great deal of respect for one another, both as musicians and as people, whilst hearing of another musician, George, that is. THAT is what the folk world is about. The thread was *not* going off-course, in fact it was demonstrating exactly why the good part of the folk world IS what it is.

But then, in my opinion, down came the bad side, and a highly unnecessary, unpleasant comment was put down, to be followed by yet another from 'The Snail'

I need to make this clear, for him/her and for anyone else who is now using this thread for their personal likes/dislikes.

As far as any mention of any autobiography goes, that was my idea entirely. So, let me expand it. There are *many* people in here whose life stories I would love to read about, Bruce is simply one of them, George is another. I've read many 'snippets' of George's life, but would love to read the whole story. I always make a point of reading their posts, for they are not only excellent songwriters, but excellent writers. There are many other people in here who are also capable of writing their memoirs, and they too should seriously think about doing it, before these memories of the folk world are lost forever. It's important to keep memories alive, not only in song.

I sincerely hope that George will not have to now endure the same virulent criticism that Bruce has had thrown at him, purely because I have dared to put my opinion down. If he does, then I apologise to George, unreservedly, for what may lie ahead, as I also apologise to Bruce, for daring to put down my thoughts, which seem to have irrationally incensed some people.