I was just reading some history on Altan and realised how fortunate I was to've seen them perform, when they were just starting out, at least in touring the US, when i worked at the Center for the Arts in westerly, RI, must've been about 1988/89. Frankie Kennedy was still alive and they'd just come out with their second cassette. I bought both. The concert hall was an old Catholic church the had converted, still with high ceilings, lovely light fixtures and an old choir loft. It was small enough for an intimate setting and close to St. Patrick's day. We almost raised the roof off that night. It was wonderful and have almost worn out the tapes I bought that night.

Another early great I saw that same year was a program called "Masters of the Steel String Guitar", which featured some really fantastic players, including Jerry Douglas and his first cassette. I fell in love with his dobro playing right then and there. There was also a guy from Hawaii who was great, can't remember his name, but now have found a great cd of Hawaiian slack-key guitar, Dancing Cat Records, "Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters" Instrumental Collection, 1995.

The whole show was fabulous! Another I saw, who was pretty good that evening, but whose more commercial stuff now I cannot stand, was "little" Alison Kraus, this was before she went so mainstream and started whining through her nose!

Anyway, along those lines, what have been some of your more memorable performances, esp. those which might have been a once in a lifetime chance? I'd love to hear them.

Katlaughing/katlaf