I suppose since I was the one who began the "Next To Die In Texas..." thread, I'm one of the folks that black walnut is chastising. In my defense, I didn't label it "BS", "Non-Mus", "Disc", etc., because I started the thread with a song, not with a request for discussion. I admit that I should have known better, but I expected folks to post other songs that pertained to the subject.

I'm not a professional musician nor do I carry a union card, so I guess I wouldn't pass Rick and Joe's test for membership in the Mudcat. But thank goodness that Max didn't ask to see any "proof" that I belonged here. I've picked up my guitar and have begun writing songs again after several years of inactivity, I've started learning the mandolin, and I've made some wonderful "musician" friends here that I hope I never lose contact with. And that's all just for starters.

I've also made contact with people around the world who are knowledgeable about very traditional Irish music -- in the Irish language -- that I probably would never have found anywhere else or by any other means.

So, if the Mudcat is the best we've got, I consider it pretty damn good. And for the thousandth time, vote for a thread with your mouse and click to leave it if you don't like it. With all the options we have on this site, I really don't see the need to be so dang picayune.

Sincerely, Áine