Larry,

I am really hurt that you have not responded to my private e-mail, but instead have chosen to use this public forum. I feel I must respond in this same forum, if only to put forward my side of the story.

I invited you to participate in the 2001 Woody Guthrie Birthday Bash because you asked to be invited. I took a chance and it worked out well. I also took a chance on the punk-rockers, and it worked out not-so-well. When it came time for the 2002 Woody Guthrie Birthday Bash, I told you to get your pipes ready, and once again I asked you to be a guest performer. You have not responded, but the offer is still on the table.

For the record, I did not ask you to be one of the featured performers because your material is pretty different from what I have in mind for the show. We can discuss this in private.

I must point out that the Woody Guthrie Birthday Bash is not a New York Pinewoods production. It has nothing to do with the organization, aside from the fact that four of the five featured performers and all of the guests (so far) are members. You, too, are a member, and you joined of your own free will. No one coerced you, although I did suggest to you that you join. As a member, your dues covered your admission to a really fine Peggy Seeger concert back in April, and your membership entitles you to hear five more concerts within the year. As a member you will get the monthly newsletter, and you will get discounted admissuon to many wonderful events. It's really quite a bargain.

Beyond all this, I just want to remind you that I have been working hard to promote you and your music. I was in part responsible for recommending you to the Peoples Music Network, which gave you a spot on their Asheville, NC, concert last January. I'm only sorry you weren't at the PMN gathering in Beacon, NY, that ended today. Your presence would have been most welcome.

In addition, I purchased a number of your CDs, which I have been giving away as gifts or samples. And I have been tryng to get you invited to do educational workshops on the uileann pipes for more than one organization with whom I have some connection.

Enough said for now. If you still want the guest slot I am holding for you, contact me by e-mail of PM. As I told you, I will make a token payment to the guest performers, regardless of the gate. After I cover all the cost of promotion and publicity (flyers, press releases, mailings, ads, etc.) on my own, that token payment means you would come out far ahead of me!

--- Steve