I'm in diminutive Warsaw, IN, Cultural capitol of Indiana. When you think small mid-western town, a picture of Warsaw is what you're looking at in that bubble that appears over your head. Cornfields to the south, Glacier lakes to the north--water skiing and ice fishing (not simultaneously). Basketball games in the town parks with former big-ten players, small college players and high-school stars. Weekend concerts in the park all summer, one weekend a blues fest the next bluegrass, rock, om pah, almost anything.

It is the home of (no kidding) one of the finest plectrum and tenor banjo players in the country (He was even an Elderly Instruments "Hot Pick") Ric Lovelady--incredible musician--has taught classical guitar at the local college for 25 years (took lessons from Parkening), and plays the most beautiful chromatic harmonica.

Close enough to attend concerts at two of the finest folk/acoustic music venues in the mid-west--LVD's and Front Porch Music. Between the two of those I've seen the likes of Pat Donohue, John Hartford, Martin Simpson, Catfish Keith, Cheryl Wheeler,and on, and on... Small enough venues that I'm acquainted with the owners and there's never more than 50 others at the concerts.

John