Wow! An amazing tale. Since you decided to make your struggles (as well as your triumphs and music) public, Larry, I don't have any hesitation in answering or throwing out opinions in theis forum. Normally people keep things like this behind closed doors....but I believe in Quentin's Crisp's "Less hassles by going public" theory...and whether or not you knew or read Quentin, you adhere to many of his best bits of advice.

It really IS the politics of course! "You can call me Al" talks about keeping a band together for many years, but I doubt very much (I MAY be wrong!) if Al's band has a leader who's views are as far from the mainstream as yours.

You really WANT to believe the very best in people....you want them to actually care (and ACT) for Aboriginals, for immigrants, for casualties of war, for activist DEFENCE ATTORNEYS(!!).....but my guess is that most people got into Irish music cuz' it was fun and it moved them.....most politics had to do with Irish situations...period. I've no doubt that you're getting yer ass kicked on their web-site, but think about this......after almost four years of us being on Mudcat together, I know almost NOTHING about you, other than your involvement in civil issues and your political writing.

I could put together a pretty full profile of at least 50 Mudcatters who've been around for awhile....simply by having paid attention to what they've said, and what music means to them. I'm not sure about your good self though....it kinda starts and ends with Activist/piper/singer....period. If that's the case is it possible that some of your musicians may simply find you Too Intense?

Just a guess. Good luck on the cloning.

Cheers

Rick