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Brief Mudcat Biographies.
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Subject: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Rick Fielding Date: 19 Jun 99 - 02:52 PM click for releated thread After reading a suggestion in another thread, I thought this might be a useful idea. I often check back several months (and sometimes a couple of years) to see where a Mudcatter is "coming from" regarding a current posting.
I realize that anonymity is probably important to a number of folks, and so naturally this thread need not apply to them, and certainly many of us are in the habit of revealing far too much about ourselves.(even in threads about "string tension" and "tipple tunings") So if any Catters are interested in giving a brief biography of themselves, as a reference point for others in the future, this might be the place for it.
P.S. (or B.S) rick |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Rick Fielding Date: 19 Jun 99 - 03:03 PM Born in '46, grew up in Quebec. Moved to Toronto when I was 18 and got fired from a number of jobs before becoming a full-time musician. I have an absolute all-consuming passion for just about all folk music forms, including traditional country, bluegrass, jazz and blues, and can't ever see myself earning my living outside of music. Since my early 20s I've disliked the "biz" part of the music business, and have never been that interested in the promotional aspect of it. I'm married to Heather (duckboots on the mudcat) who tolerates folk music, and we have two cats, but no kids. I do freelance Leather-Carving, writing, cartooning and instrument-repair. rick fielding |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Mudjack Date: 19 Jun 99 - 03:46 PM Born in 43, God, that sounds terrible. My like began in The Great San Joaquin Valley of California from parents who migrated a little eariery than most of the Okies and Arkies.Dad was fighting Hitler's Army and upon his return, took our family to the Southern California area.Schooled in Upland, CA and joined the Marines in 1961 and found Folk Music of the sixties to be of great interest but a green Marine's uniform was conflicting any freedoms of war protesting.So I absorbed the spirit of the music and came to terms with the fact this music had real origins, not just a form of pop folk music.I married Mrs. Mudjack in 1963 and we brought into this world a son and daughter. During their growing up I was in a mode of reversing the aging process buy refusing to grow up.I began my music training about the same time I started my apprenticeship as an Industrial Maintenance Electrician. It being the responsible thing to do, the music is my first and favorite thing to do but Electrician's work pays the bills and affords me to be materialistic. I work at being a loving and caring husband, but my Mrs. works harder at it since she supports all my music efforts and she does not play or sing.Yes, she's an angel.She's also the person responsible for creating this stage monster, she bought me a guitar on my thirtieth birthday and from there it's been a busy enjoyable life chasing all the music events we can find. My most recent gig was singing a song for our daughter's wedding. A last minute request and I even selected the song...Kate Wolf's " Give Yourself to Love. Mudjack here and wondering if anyone really wants to know that much about a mudcat or will reveal that much about themselves. Well Rick, you got my attention. Yours.....Mudjack |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: folk1234 Date: 19 Jun 99 - 04:40 PM Sure Rick, I'll volunteer. Born in Chicago '38, grew up in poverty in a Public Housing Project. After high school, Colorado State Univ, which I flunked out of after one year (I didn't know I had to go to class too - I made every football and track practice!) Back in Chi town, worked in a foundry goin' nowhere. Like Mudjack, joined the Marines. They gave me a chance to go back to college if I would sell my soul to them for a long time. Finished college at Univ of Kansas, then Quantico, MET CAROL, Vietnam, MARRIED CAROL, S. Calif, DANIELLE BORN, Monterey, LAUREL BORN, Vietnam, D.C., Quantico, up & down East Coast. Retired USMC '80. Next, United Technologies in CT, BOUGHT A GUITAR & DISCOVERED THE FOLK SCENE'89, discovered Oklahoma, now I'm with OK State Univ. Highlights are in CAPS. I'm also an active member of the Ok City Traditional Music Assn (octma.org) |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: katlaughing Date: 19 Jun 99 - 04:58 PM Oh, Rick! You knew I'd bite! Born in '53, last of five, 4 girls, 1 boy, only one born outside of Colorado, in N. Dakota. Oilfield brat, mostly raised in Casper, WY and Grand Jct., CO, with frequent visits to relatives on the Eastern Slope and elsewhere. Started violin and piano at 8yrs old. Family sang most Saturday nights together and parents played for dances. Dropped out of high school at 17 to have my son, Colin. Kyrsten was born next, then a yr. later I divorced their dad. Married the next one, had the last daughter, Jerusha, then got rid of him! Married Rog almost 20 yrs ago, he (Brave Soul!) adopted all three kids and away we went! From Casper to Massachusetts & Connecticut for 10 yrs, then back to WY. Left the first two kids there (well, they were all grown up!). In between, as a single mom, I was a store clerk, nurses' aide, one of the first in CO to get an EMT certificate, sold radio adverts,sold mobile telephones, assisted a dir. of development at an arts center, had my own psuedo-ad agency, promoted, produced, and sometimes sang my brother's classical music for 20 yrs. In among all of that, I always wrote. Now, I consider myself to be a writer, jewelry designer, and various other things. I am never happy just being one thing. Just recently, thanks in part to the Mudcat, I've taken up singing with my oldest sister, bet, and am really enjoying relearning the old folk & cowboy tunes from childhood, as well as new ones from the DT! Oh, and lest there be any doubts about my nature: I have B positive blood, so....I've always felt that was an admonition to live up to! katlaughing |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: John Hindsill Date: 19 Jun 99 - 06:04 PM This bio will probably be the only one from a non-participant...as I indicated on an earlier thread, I 'play' vinyl (prefered), tapes, CDs, and radio. I was born in LA and lived in So. Cal. all my life save one year. This fall I reach the big six-oh...my body feels older but my mind is still 20 something, maybe less. Always liked cowboy music; introduced to folksong in grammar school and the early Weavers. Really got interested while in junior college about 1958. Became friends with a guy who liked old-timey music and got me beyond the Kingston Trio and Weavers. My tastes are eclectic ranging from blues to Israeli, from bluegrass to Celtic, calypso to protest songs and almost everything in between. Some of my personal favorites are (aside from the obvious) Terrea Lea (owned a coffee house and was the featured entertainer), the Travelers 3 (popularizers with a distinctive sound), Bud & Travis (really strong on Spanish language songs), Barbara Dane and Judy Henske. From the early 70s until the mid 80s did not much follow folk music. Then the bug hit again and in the last 6-7 years have added extensively to my music library. I tape various significantly different versions of songs for comparison and car listening. I really enjoy the comparitive folklore aspect of this music Neither Mrs. John (Joy), nor our only child share my interest in folk music, and in a way that's somewhat nice as it sets me apart from them in such a slight way. For the mundane part, I am a sales rep. for a local distributor. My other major interests are ancient Near Eastern History and stamp collecting.---John |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Llanfair Date: 19 Jun 99 - 06:18 PM OK, I can't help it!! Born Manchester 1948. lived there till first marriage 1971. Had No.1 son 1972. Had discovered folk music in 1962, but husband didn't help. Marriage broke up 1975, had No. 2 son later that year. Worked for Social services with adults with learning disabilities in residential care. Married 2nd Husband 2 years later. He was tone deaf and didnt know what Isaw in music. Left him when I was 40 to live with a bass player. Worked with client group in day services. Sang with band "Dorian Grey" till we moved here to Wales. Now run a monthly music night. Work as a Social Worker, and have just started working part time. Love my music, self-sufficient gardening, though I'm nowhere near that yet. I'm 6 foot tall, and now have a serious weight problem since Igave up smoking in January. Katlaughing, Iknew we had something in common!!! 3 husbands....serial monogamy!!!!. Hwyl Bron. |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: katlaughing Date: 19 Jun 99 - 06:31 PM Hey, Bron! The third time's a charm!:-) I love that phrase, "serial monogamy"! Here comes that Creep of Threads, again: I, too, have had to work with my weight. I have found a very low carbohydate/high protein diet to be very helpful. Have lost 25 lbs in about 4.5 months; steady, slow, and safe. More to go....I started the carbs at 20/day and now am up to about 30-40/day. (Most people's diets include 100's of carbs, pasta, veggies, breads, etc.) Drop them down if I don't see a loss. High protein has been interesting I've been a vegetarian for abut 15 yrs. Since my weight is health-challenging, I decided to try a little chicken and fish. When I get down to where I need to be, though, I will go back to the veggie thing and just keep an eye on my eating habits. At least you have 6 ft. over which to disperse it! I am only 5'2", so every pound shows! Dr. Atkins (on the net) has a diet book and some expensive, but helpful items such as low carb baking flour for breads, pancakes, etc.; low carb food bars, which are delicious; and a shake mix as well as other things that are way too hyped and expensive for my taste. So long, as they say here in ole' Wyomin', katlaughing....now you all can kiss that Creep goodbye!**BG** |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Llanfair Date: 19 Jun 99 - 06:39 PM Thanks, Katlaughing, I'll check it out. Hwyl, Bron. |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Fadac @ Home Date: 19 Jun 99 - 08:42 PM I was issued on Jan. 9, 1950. My mother was XArmy and my father was on active duty in Germany. Mom was discharged in Piping (sp?) China in '48, that is where she met my father, but that's another story. Lived at various Army posts untill 1953, moved to Sapho Washington. Then to Port Angeles. Spent all my "going to school" years there. Went to sea in 1962 on a salmon boat. Damn near got rammed by the ruskies twice. (This was about the time of the U2 thing, so we were a bit tense.) The Russians were within 1/4 mile off the coast. When we called the Navy they just said we were lying. We could see the russian flags from the phone booth! Graduated from HS in 1968, the Navy wanted me real bad to work on a nuke sub. At this time I had enough of boats, so talked to the Army recuter. Became a FADAC repairman. Now you can find out what FADAC stands for: Field Arty. Digital Automatic Computer. One of the very first digital computers to be used in the field for aiming guns. It is also so obsolite now, that they don't even teach the thory of how it worked. Two tours in Viet Nam (we were winning when I left.) and a total of six years in the Army, I got out. Went into the computer trade here in Ca. as a hardware tech. Basicly been doing that ever sence. Oh, drove truck, learned to fly, still ride motorcycles, live on a boat in the SF bay. Ham radio operator. Do volinteer work with Civil Air Patrol. Notice, no music as I was growing up. I had a radio, that's it. I discovered music at 40, fooled around with bagpipes, penny wistles, and now seriously studing the accordion. I like most kinds of music, from the old classics to some rap. I prefer to play folk type music at this time. However I think when my skill gets better, I will be more intrested in clasical music. (Ever heard "Flight of the bumble bee on an accordion? awsome!)
Oh, married in 1978, motorcycle wedding, knew the lady for three weeks. We will have been married 21 years next month. And they said it wouln't last.
There you have it. |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: marlor Date: 19 Jun 99 - 10:35 PM You're quite right on both counts. Anonymity is important to me. And, yes, I do tend to reveal too much of myself at times. I was born in the late 60s to Italian immigrant parents. I'm the youngest of 3 sisters. In my CD collection, you'll find everything from Leonard Bernstein to ricky Skaggs. Currently, I'm employed as a receptionist at an engineering firm. |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: DonMeixner Date: 19 Jun 99 - 10:53 PM I was born in 1950 and raised on the bank of a slow river. I knew mosquitoes, muddpuppies, and how to bait a hook before I was four. I caught spinal menegitis and lived at a time when most people died from it at the cost of half my hearing. I was seeing and hearing the rhythym of silver being belted into shape by my father from the time I could walk. The cadence of his 10 oz. peaning hammer on an chunk of NYC rail still rings in the shop we shared. I began singing sea somgs and building steel boats. Being a boat builder was all I ever wanted to do. I built steel boats for several years until I crushed my right wrist and I was hurt too bad to continue. I began designing and building special equipment for people with disabilities. Along the way I got my left hand too close to a table saw and nearly lost all my fingers. Physical therapy and Dr. Walter Short, the musicians friend gave me back my hands. The work still more or less but they work and I accomodate. I have twin sons and a heartbreaking daughter a lovely wife and an old house. At night when the shop is still and the light is right I can still talk to my Dad. |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Roger in Baltimore Date: 19 Jun 99 - 11:26 PM Well, I've not been shy before, so why change? I was born right here in Carroll County in 1946. Well, my Mom actually went to the hospital in Baltimore for my birth, but she brought me right back here! I was the middle child of 5 and the first one who was not "planned". In 1952, my parents moved the family out of the town of Westminster into the country. They felt the "big city" (pop. 4,000 or so) would have a bad influence on their children. The radio was always on at my house; pop music and early country western. When it came time to take up an instrument in school I was pointed towards the drums because I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. I sang all the time anyway. 'Twas a relatively good upbringing. My sophomore year in high school I became enamored with folk music. My older brother had a Gibson Les Paul which he had obtained by trading in my younger sister's accordian. I began learning guitar on that. I received my first guitar as a Christmas present, a Gibson classical guitar It's been around a bit. First I sold it to my oldest sister. Then I bought it back from her to give to my wife as a Christmas present. I often think I would like to purchase it back just for the sentimental value. I played in two folk music trio's (two guys and a gal of course) during high school and played solo at many a party. I hosted a folk music show at my college radio station and started my record collection with Tom Rush's first Elektra album. I started subscribing to Sing Out! about the same time. I began to listen to a good deal of rock and roll about this time as well. Entered the US Army directly after getting my BA degree in Chemistry. Spent three years including a tour of Vietnam. I got my first taste of a world beyond the Middle Atlantic section of the US of A. I somehow, also found my singing voice in the Army. Played folk music singly and in groups for a few years after the Army. Spent one year as a Junior Chemist. I stumbled into the field of substance abuse treatment during that year. Marriage in 1973 put a damper on my performing except for occasional playing at parties. Two kids. Boys. One is twenty-two and living in San Francisco. The other is eighteen and just graduated from high school. I divorced about 10 years ago. It is a decision I have never regretted except for the impact on the boys. Our marital conflict, however, also had a negative impact on the boys. For the last 4 or 5 I have been pretty much a single parent as my ex moved to Texas and the boys stayed here in Maryland. Began to perform frequently at open mics after my divorce and developed a stage presence I had not had before. I consider myself an entertainer by hobby. I still work in substance abuse treatment and can still say I like my job. Nearly 6 years ago, I met Marge. I can truly say I've never known a love like this before. When I was in college, they told me those years would be the happiest of my life. I am glad that was a lie. I would have to say the last 6 years meet that criteria very well. In February or March of 1998, I went on-line for the first time. Within a few weeks, I discovered the Mudcat. It has been addictive. It seems to me that it comes close to William Glasser's definition of a positive addiction. No one will make a movie of my life or write a biography, but it has been interesting to me. The older I get the more I value all parts of my life, the good and the bad. I am concerned, however, that I have developed a significant guitar habit. When I divorced, I owned one guitar. I now own seven. I think I am on the verge of being a collector. My most recent purchase resulted from attending an "Invitation Only" sale at MARS. They had a little travel guitar made by Crafter (perhaps a division of Hohner). It is an acoustic-electric with a "plastic" body and a wooden top. It was better than 50% off. I liked it better than my Mc Nally Backpacker so I bought it. I've been happy with it for 2 months. Even performed a little Charlie Patton on it at an open-mic. To my way of thinking, the blues don't always sound "right" on a fine guitar. They need a little roughness. Big RiB |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Banjoman_CO Date: 20 Jun 99 - 12:47 AM Well, here goes. I was born in 1938. I was always interested in music. I learned clarinet and saxophone in greade school. By the time I was 14 I was playing sax in a club from 9pm-1am 6 nights a week. I continued learning woodwinds and majored in music in college. After college I played with a couple of big bands but that ended quickly. I started teaching band and choir in Oklahoma City. In the '60's I was introduced to folk music and the 5 string banjo. I also learned guitar and bass. I played on the "midwest folk circuit", playing coffee houses in various cities. I was with a couple of groups including 'The Renegades", did a duo, 'Fred and Morie' and then did a single for a number of years. When I was 34 I married Banjo Mamma (Barbara), had and raised a daughter and a son. And now I'm a grandpa. Banjo Mamma plays flute and is learning mountain dulcimer (me too). We now live in Southeastern Colorado. And believe it or not, I'm a minister. I still sing and play for whoever wants to hear. I particularly love the music of the Southeastern Mountain country. That's about it. It is a great life with many more years to enjoy. |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Banjer Date: 20 Jun 99 - 07:05 AM I was born at an early age..... First saw light in 1949 at the 97thGeneral Field Hospital, Frankfurt an Main, Germany. Never knew my real dad as he was rotated out shortly after i was born. Mom being a German national, and the fact that they had not yet married, had to remain behind. She went home to her mother in Dresden where we lived until I was 6 years old. She then made plans to come to Florida to care for an elderly aunt. Except for a hitch in the service, I have lived here since. Have two brothers and a sister all younger than me and not much contact with any of them. They all seem to have gone their seperate ways. Probably the age difference has alot to do with that. There are 8 years between myself and the next in line. Early interest in music developed when step-dad got me to listening to the 'Grand Ole Opry' on WSM each Saturday night. Asked for and got a guitar for Christmas at 13, never learned to play it too well, discovered girls and that cut into a lot of time that I should have been practicing! Went into the service at 18, Army, Military Police (not my choice, wanted diesel mechanic school but in typical military fashion, got shafted into MP School. Probably some foulup by some idiot clerk who thought that MP=Motor Pool and MP also=Military police, so where's the difference?) Got married after the servoce to wife 1, lasted too long, about a year and a half. Also got involved with foster children during that marriage. The foster home work lasted longer than the marriage! Remained single for a few years, still maintaining the foster home, working with older kids that could be left on their own while I went to my regular job. Usually had 2 to 3 boys at a time. Enjoyed that part of my life. Married a gal I had known since highschool days. Her husband bailed out after 14 years, leaving her alone with 5 kids, two girls, three boys aged from 13 to 4. Having been in touch with that group on at least a weekly basis and having known each of the kids since birth it was an easy transition. Adopted all five and life's been graet for 22 years. (The baby turned 25 this year) Along the way there has been an interest developed in music again, one not neccesarily shared by the rest of the crowd....I have built a lap dulcimer and more are in the works. I play at a banjo, one of these days I'll feel confident enough to "come out of the closet" with it! I do play it a civil War reenactments, but folks there expect that bad playing is what was heard in most CW settings anyway!! In reply to FADAC, de KC4EJR, 73's. I've been a HAM Radio op for 12 years. Equipment is currently out of commission, and has been replaced largely by computers which is an offchoot of the radio days! Th-Th-Th-That's All Folks!!!!! |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: katlaughing Date: 20 Jun 99 - 10:41 AM Banj & Fadac: short, short on my Rog: he's been a HAM since he was in high school in New Hampshire, WB7CBH. No rig now, for pretty much the same reasons as you, Banj. Worked for Wayne Green at 73 when in H.S., then went into the Air Force and worked for AFRTS, as we call it afarts, also did a lot of other communications stuff. Went on to build a career as a broadcast engineer and has become one of the best in microwave and RF. When I met him, here in Wyo., he was very involoved in Civil Air Patrol. When we lived in New England, my business partner and I went up to Wayne's one time to meet with him. Gorgeous old colonial farmhouse, beautiful greyhound on its own spot on the sofa. Have you seen his website? Maybe you should start a thread for HAMS? I'll bet Leej is or has been one, too. BTW, Rog says he doesn't have a musical bone in his body, but he loves all kinds of music and willingly listens and shares with me his ecletic tastes, which are pretty much like mine. He was the main monetary support for my brother, the classical composer, for about 11 years, while he composed, and has always supported whatever I wanted to do, including sing with my sister, bet. He's not a saint, but sometimes he works really hard at it! **BG** katlaughing |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: GUY Wolff Date: 20 Jun 99 - 10:30 PM Born In North Western Connecticut to a wild and crazy art Family.{My dad was a abstract Impresionist who Helped start "The Chicago School Of Desighn" before moving east to chair the Art department At Brooklin Colege, Meet my mother and they had me in 1950}Grew up playin conga drum for somba crazed artist parties {They got voodoo candles to get Nixon out of office, it worked!} Played rock&roll drums through to early and mid 60's I fell in love with folk music while aprenticing at Jugtown Pottery in 1969 and have been playing music and making pots ever since. Worked in potteries in southern wales in 70-71and sang my guts out.Northern England71-72{Penrith} Came home and stared playing in square-dance and bar bands mostly banjo ...slide guitar...concertinas...>>>Pottery from the break of noon>>>> Theen in 1976 I started playing with a freind named Lui Collins and we did some of the Folk Sercut{ I Loved The Folkway in Peterbough NH } Ive been making traditional pottery through all of it and have been working alot on the history of flower-pots mostly from the US but also from the UK with some eye-balling the Southern FRench..The flower-pot side of my life keeps getting bigger and bigger.I'm trying to help a village of potters in Honduras and am also working to pull together a guild of traditional craft out of Great Briton to show to american gardeners.I make around 50,000 pounds of pottery a year. Because I help a national catalauge figure out its flower-pots and because they asked for it I made a vanity CD in 1997 and am lucky enough to be doing a second one coming out this mounth... I've been so lucky>>>It makes one want to just say thank you some- ware All my best to everyone Guy>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: 10,000 year old man Date: 20 Jun 99 - 10:44 PM I was born about 10,000 years ago And I'll whup the man who says it isn't so Y'all know the rest. |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Winters Wages Date: 20 Jun 99 - 10:57 PM OK For Obvious reasons I will not reveal much. I was bron and raised n the San Francisco Mission district (Irish Catholic neighborhood) Born 1941..Been pretty much all over the western area (world) In high school I was in Drama..did some high school theater. Then I got involved with music...in school of course. In 1963 I went to work in a food service business in I was ther nine years. My grandfather always said..."the railroads are dying' "Get in Civil Service,...You wont get rich...but you will always have food on the holidays...So in 1959 I studied police science (criminology) with a minor in Sociology (they hated me)...Worked as a longshoreman under Mr. Bridges...Soooo in those days because I worked on the waterfront...went to college....I was a "pinko"...even in the Campus Police. I now work for the San Francsco sheriffs' Dept. spent 9 years behind bars on the installment plan..Now I am one of the sherff's aids, 29 years in the Dept...Could tell you stories that would curl your hair. If it wasn't for the music today..I would be a basket case (never mind the comments RiGGy. ) No one rally knows what I do...I love it. I can be my self. Not all cops are bad, I assure you. Jesse knows (Sonora) I hhave seen so much tragedy...and with my genetic code...my depression level is high then low...after a few glasses of champagne at Quinns, I will cry for any Catter given the right song. Now as Paul Harvey say's Now You Know The Rest Of The Story" Jessie 1036...1036 Dig??? |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Easy Rider Date: 21 Jun 99 - 01:16 PM I was born in a dessert, raised in a lion's den. My number one occupation is stealing women from their men. EZR |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Richard Bridge Date: 21 Jun 99 - 01:26 PM EZR, does that make you a bit of a pudding then, or are you just into pulling the pudding? |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Joe Offer Date: 21 Jun 99 - 02:50 PM I was born in Detroit in 1948 and moved to southeastern Wisconsin when I was ten. I claim to be a Wisconsinite, but I guess it really isn't so, since the locals think your parents have to be born there for you to be considered a real Wisconsinite. I guess I have to admit that I was part of the first wave of yuppies to hit Wisconsin, way back in 1958. Everybody on the block came from some other state, and nobody on the block was cousin to anybody else in the neighborhood. So, I call Wisconsin home, but maybe I'm not a real Wisconsinite. I certainly am a genuine Midwesterner, though. There are lots of us displaced Midwesterners in the Central Valley of California. At the age of 14, I went away to the seminary to study to become a Catholic priest, and ended up with a bachelor's degree in Theology and I had a wonderful time in my eight years in the seminary. I was a camp counselor every summer during college, and learned lots of camp songs. We sang all the time in the seminary, too. At the age of 21, I discovered the opposite sex, proposed to a girl from California who had a terrific suntan, and left the seminary and lost my draft exemption. Since I didn't want to go to Vietnam, I enlisted in the Army and got trained as a German linguist in Monterey, California, and I got married to the girl from California while I was there. I then spent two years as a spy in Berlin. I'm scared of guns and dangerous stuff, but it was radio intelligence, so it was quite safe. Since I got out of the service, I've worked in California, doing background investigations on people who apply for government jobs and security clearances. I'm still scared of guns, so it's a good thing my weapon is a ballpoint pen. It's also good that the people I investigate are mostly good people, so I get to travel and talk to nice people and see interesting things. Nasty Bill Clinton "privatized" my job three years ago, so now I'm not much better than a temp, so I'm going to retire in a few months. I have been gloriously single for the last seven years, and my three children are no longer teenagers, so I've had a great time traveling North America ever since I paid the last child support payment. I'm off on a trip to Italy and Israel soon after I retire, and who knows what adventures await me after that. I'll probably keep doing investigations when there's work in interesting places, and I expect to continue to do volunteer work involving church, music, and kids. -Joe Offer®- |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Jeri Date: 21 Jun 99 - 05:51 PM I tried to send this yesterday, but the evil WWW spider ate it. You may want a cup of coffee before you start - this is gonna be borrrring! Born in '54 and grew up as an only child in a small town in upstate (or sideways state) NY. Dad died in '72, and Mom died in '92. Was introduced to folk music and the "folk scene" in '72 by a great teacher. (Some of you might know Vaughn Ward - it's all her fault.) Went to college, but dropped out. Bought a Gibson violin in (or around) '76. Joined the Air Force in '77, and lived in Texas, England, New Hampshire, Indiana, Korea, northern Virginia, Korea again, and Delaware before retiring from the AF last Feb and buying a house in NH. When I was stationed here, I met some folks who are just like family, and I always felt like this was home. Other than making music, I used to paint, and I intend to get back into it someday. I've done some batiking, and my latest thing is trying to make (very simple) jewelry. |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Sandy Paton Date: 21 Jun 99 - 07:04 PM Jeri: Was that at Niskayuna? I may not know how to spell the name, but I sure do remember the festivals. Also Holly Nelson has a bookstore near us. She, too, was a student of Vaughn's, as I recall. Know her? |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: John Wood Date: 21 Jun 99 - 07:33 PM I was born in south London in 48.Moved to Cornwall in 63(the year of the Beatles).Bought my first guitar in 65 and taught myself the basics.Lucky to have a constant stream of top artists at our local folk club(The Folk-Cottage).Picked up a lot from such people as Ralph McTell,Wizz Jones,Mike Chapman,Jerry Locklin,Bert Jansch ,John Renbourn and Davy Graham. 1970 I took a year off from the mechanical engineering course I was doing at Plymouth Polytechnic,and went off to seek fame and fortune in europe. Ended up in Oslo(Norway) Started out busking,but hung the guitar on the wall(big mistake!)when I got married,and we had four kids. We broke up in 1990, and I took up music again as a kind of therapy.Found Irish music the year after,and it's been on the way up ever since. 1995 I produced a CD with 26 artists taken from the Irish jam sessions that we have,it's called strangely enough....``Oslo Sessions´´.I paid all the bills,the artists played for free,and we printed 1000 copies. We've just about sold out,which isn't bad when you consider that we've only sold it at the local pub,and by word of mouth. Hopefully nums.2 and 3 will soon be finished. Enough said for now!! JPW. |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Mark Roffe Date: 21 Jun 99 - 07:46 PM Born in 1948 in Brooklyn, which is a country in New York. Moved to a 5-mile long skinny gleaming white sand bar off the Atlantic coast of Long Island at age 2 (brought my family along, too). Dad had had a few successful years, and made enough money to design/build his and mom's dream house. Growing up there was a delight, full of boats and fishing and swimming in the bay and the ocean. Small enough town that all the kids in school knew each other. People didn't move around as much in those days, so they got to know each other quite well. Began clarinet lessons in the 2nd grade, and played through school. Began guitar in 1959 - started with folk, was introduced to blues in college in D.C. Dropped out of college in 1968 and moved to a farm commune in British Columbia. Then to San Francisco with flowers in my hair. Made/sold stained glass windows and other crafts. Moved to the Caribbean in 1970. Got a National Steel guitar. Bought with some partners a funky bar and restaurant right on the beach. After one partner's murder I got my seaman's papers and worked on an oceanographic boat. Went to Bermuda. Worked on 3 other boats. Played music in bars all through this time, usually solo or in a duo, and occasionally in larger groups. Also made stained glass creations all through this time. Had a myriad of other jobs (baker, dumptruck driver, tilesetter, dishwasher, papaya farmer, etc.). Decided to pursue jazz guitar. Heard there was a fine jazz teacher (Howard Morgen) in New York. Moved there, took jazz guitar lessons. In between lessons, taught myself classical guitar (a slow and ongoing process). Worked as a toy designer in the Bronx. Moved to Florida for a while, then back to San Francisco. Worked at a stained glass studio. Moved to the beach in Marin. Left for six months travel in Mexico and Central America and the Caribbean. Drove San Francisco taxi for several years while I went to college there, this time studying computers and metalworking, and finally graduating at the advanced age of 35. Gave up stained glass creating, which required a large workspace, and began doing fired glass enamels on metals, which can be done in a small space. Got happily married. Got my first "corporate" job, doing computer networking. Still doing that kind of work. But I'm really an artist/craftsman/musician trapped in a networker's body. I'm emerging as time goes on. I make glass marbles and bead creations, and am beginning once again to fire glass enamels onto shaped/etched pieces of copper and silver. We have three children, who along with Ginny would love to see me stop networking and only do music and art, but somewhere along the line I have become more practical (and frightened) than in my younger days, and I don't think it's appropriate to stop the steady paycheck abruptly and risk losing the physical environment we've put together for the kids. So I'm step-by-step creating the art/music life that we will step into as the kids get a bit older. Finishing the studio. Making enough objects to start selling again. This is not pie-in-the-sky, it is true, you could ask my very smart wife. Discovered the Mudcat while in search of some lyrics. The man with the jumbled last name, Joe Offer, invited me to a song circle, which has become for me a golden circle of friendship, political information, and rediscovery of singing the old songs. Mark Roffe |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Jeri Date: 21 Jun 99 - 08:59 PM Sandy - yep, Niskayuna. (You got the spelling right first time!) I remember Holly, and her brother Chris. I went to all of those festivals, but I was only in high school for the first one. (made the potato soup and turkey soup) I still have my unicorn pendant, used for employee & performer identification. |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: dusterjim Date: 24 Jun 99 - 05:41 AM though not real regular here at the mudcat, I've come back from time to time over the last couple of years. Born in 1950 in Dallas Oregon (the big D ), did the school thing, avoided the draft by joining the Navy (sub duty is the best duty),came back to the world and did the party thing, did the get married thing in 75 (still there),3 girls (the oldest is trying to have a baby as I write, do I feel old or what)doing the empty nest thing now, livin' in the sticks, bought an old home built just before the turn of the century (that's 1900) big garden and all, and Playin' music. took band for 7 years in school and choir for 1 year (wish that I'd done more). Love all kinds of music from classic to rap ( rap is to music as ech-a-skech is to art), folk is my second passion, Gospel is (as strange as it may seem) my favorite ( Gospel seems to find something positive even in terrible situations). I play a few instruments, (backup) guitar (I currently have a martin 1970 D12-35) Banjo (though I seldom admit it) a hammered Dulcimer (oh how I love this instrument) and I've picked up an instrument from my youth recently, a ukulele (ouch). Currently I am playing with a group called the Bridgeport Volunteers, and I and my wife have been with them for about seven years (I really love these people) their Website is currently down, but they do have one (my bad, I'm in charge of it, but hey, give me a break, I'll get it up and running again (and maybe I'll even post one of those blue clicky things, or maybe I'll make it a yellow one instead) |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Allan C. Date: 24 Jun 99 - 12:30 PM Okay, here's the Reader's Digest version of the story of my life: Born on November 12, 1946 at the North Island hospital at the Naval Air Station in Coronado. I was raised as a Navy brat (a term of endearment, folks!). While under my parent's roof, I lived in Monterey, then Seaside, California. Then on to Norfolk and Falls Church, Virginia. Next we were in Rio de Janeiro for three years (while I was a young teenager). Then back to California - Piedmont this time. It was while at Piedmont that I met my first, true love. Her name was Chi. She was a beautiful Filipino girl whose father (who didn't like me at all!) was an extremely talented salad chef at a restaurant at Jack London Square. Then the Navy broke my heart by uprooting me again. This time it was to go to Annandale, VA where I was to graduate from high school. About that time Secretary of Defense, MacNamera called for 64,000 more troops for the Vietnam "conflict". Knowing that it was only a matter of time before I would be drafted, I signed up for the Air Force - only because I couldn't get the ball rolling fast enough for the Peace Corps or Vista. My logic was that the AF generally didn't carry rifles. I really didn't want to participate in the war! This soon became evident to the powers that be. After being stationed in both Great Falls and Kalispell, Montana, I managed to get myself kicked out of the Air Force. I went home. By now, Home had moved. My father had retired from the Navy and purchased a farm near Oldfields, West Virgina. I lived there for about three years. Then moved to Virginia again. This time I made my home in the Shenandoah Valley. For the next 15 years or so, except for a two-year stay in Arlington, VA, I lived in the Valley - Harrisonburg, Bridgewater, Waynesboro, Stuarts Draft, New Hope. For the past few years I have lived in Charlottesville, VA. It is starting to feel like home. Charlottesville, by the way, was listed as the number one city of its size in which to live in the USA. So much for the "where's". As a very little kid, I was always singing. I sang along with the radio - Patti Page, Hank Williams, Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, whoever else was on. My parents liked to take rides in the country on weekends. Or sometimes we would drive out to a state park or national forest somewhere and camp. We would often sing songs in the car as we traveled. My brother, (three years older) was a Cub Scout and my parents were Den parents. So we often sang scouting songs, campfire songs - heck, nearly any kind of song! In elementary school, (fourth grade, I think) a Miss Buchardt was introduced as a music teacher. I had never seen a music teacher before. Teachers were just, well, teachers! On her first day, she taught the class "Lolly Toodum". She called it a folk song. I didn't know there were such things! I liked it! Soon we were singing "Cape Cod Girls" and "Zulu Warrior" and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" and "The Holly and the Ivy" and lots of other songs which I learned to love. I continued singing with the choir throughout elementary and high school. When I was in seventh grade, some senior brought a guitar to the gym and played, "That'll Be the Day". I was awestruck. The following year when I had moved to Brazil, I was introduced to two girls, Marsha and Gail Robertson - the daughters of a Marine who was also stationed in Rio. These two girls played guitar. I talked them into showing me how to play a couple of chords and soon I was begging my parents to get me a guitar for my 13th birthday. They not only got me a DelVeccio, but signed me up for lessons. The woman who taught me guitar had also taught Alex Hassaloff (sp?) of the Limelighters. She showed me how to pick up songs off of records. She used no printed music. For each lesson I would transcribe some popular song lyrics and she would show me how to play the song. I learned a lot from her. About that time, I bought the first of seventeen Kingston Trio albums. I nearly played the grooves off of them. I played my first gig at an eighth grade dance with my friend, Keith Behner. Then, in tenth grade, (Piedmont, CA) I paired up with a wonderful soprano named Susan and won a talent show. Won another the next year in Annandale, VA with my friend, Lynn Sparks. At that time The Cellar Door, in Washington, D.C. had a Sunday night "hootenanny". Lynn and I performed there a couple of times. The following year, a trio of girls (all three were also cheerleaders) asked me to create an arrangement for them and to play guitar for them in that year's contest. They won. Well, actually, they tied for first place with Marge and me. (Marge had teamed up with me during the previous summer.) The trio and I also did a performance at the Cellar Door. That year there were a lot of paying gigs at small parties and a series of freebies at a local church coffehouse which featured a concoction called a "Jim Truxell" - a sort of mocha latte named for the assistant minister there - delicious!. At the coffeehouse a woman painted a remarkable watercolor of Marge and me and one of me alone. I still have them. The band soon broke up. But I eventually married Leslie. A couple of years later, Dave also got married and we soon lost track of each other. I suppose I might have played a few gigs during that time. Mostly I was caught up with the business of making enough money to pay the bills. We had a daughter, Kelly. And then we divorced a couple of years later. It was a fairly amicable divorce as such things go. I even babysat Kelly so that Leslie could go out on a date with a guy she ultimately married. I, too, later remarried. Mary and I had a baby girl whom we named Lacy. That marriage ended a couple of years later. However, we stayed in it for much longer. I think Lacy was nearly eight when I announced to Mary that I didn't want to be treated the way she had been treating me anymore. Soon after, I left. I moved to Charlottesville and started over. I have been here since then. Not long after I came here, I met Kathy. Kathy and I have been seeing each other for the better part of six years. She is the best thing that has happened to me in my whole life. I have played only one gig (free!) in the past twenty years and that was about five years ago. The incredibly long list of jobs I have held over the years includes but is not at all limited to: gas station attendant, movie theater usher, personnel clerk (USAF), apple picker, photographer's assistant (it was also a florist shop), junior executive trainee at a poultry plant, electronics salesman (remember Lafayette stores and catalogs?), furniture salesman, sporting goods salesman, beertender, bouncer, waiter, donut baker, construction gopher, concrete pump operator, surveyor's helper, water treatment plant operator, gardener, carpenter, youth employment program supervisor, hospital aide or geriatric aide or CNA or nursing assistant (depending upon the hospital nomenclature and the level of training I had at the time), highschool custodian, nightwatchman, 7-Eleven clerk, dishwasher, baker, office services aide, photocopy technician, and at present I am called a photocopy supervisor. I have been running a copy center at a community college for nearly ten years. I also do some graphic design work there as well. In addition, I am a landlord for a small duplex. Last January my father died. One of the baskets of flowers that arrived at the funeral home was from my old friend, Dave. He had moved back to the area near my parents' farm and had seen the obituary in the paper. He had put his phone number on the back of the card. I immediately called. Although he lives about 2 hours away from Charlottesville, I now visit him often - on my way to see Mom at the farm. We play a few songs together from time to time at the dome. See the thread, "Singing in a dome." Dave now plays dobro and banjo in a bluegrass band. Those of you who are going to annap's July gathering will meet him. He is a Mudcatter in spirit only because he lacks a computer. The stimulus of the Mudcat, together with having hooked up with Dave again has awakened something within me which has been somewhat dormant for a while. I am starting to think that maybe I will get out and do a coffeehouse gig or something soon. We shall see. |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Lesley N. Date: 24 Jul 99 - 10:30 PM I feel a bit strange posting a month after Allan.. I don't post as much as the "regulars" here - and then more requests than responses! Yes, I am a Mudcat leech...
But here goes. Born 1955 into a Navy family. Lived in Vietnam in 63/64 - my one moment of fame was being on the cover of Parade Magazine in July 64! Lived also in Japan and climbed Mt. Fuji to get caught halfway up in a typhoon ("why is everyone leaving the mountain?") We eventually settled around DC and Dad retired in Arlington, VA.
I have no musical talent except for a decent voice and three chords on the guitar which I learned in the early 70s. I've always loved traditional music (when Dad was in his cups he used to sing Maid of Amsterdam and Abdul Abulbul Amir). However, my repetoire and knowledge was pretty meager until I started my web page. It was the web page which led me to the Xerox site - and then to here. Well, I'm not sure I know a great deal even now - but at least I have resources to look things up!
My web page is here - filled with the music I love and musings and a bio...
I am constantly amazed by the knowledge and good will of the people here. I'm very glad to be a part of it.
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: folk1234 Date: 24 Jul 99 - 10:54 PM Dear Lesley N: Better late than never. Great looking web site! I'll have to spend more time at it later. |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Mudjack Date: 24 Jul 99 - 11:43 PM Lesley N, Thank you so much for sharing your bio and especially THANK YOU for your web site. I went searching some time back for a site that would have Child's ballads on midi. I just can't believe the power and infinate knowledge this site keeps directing me to. Your site is a fine piece of work and my upmost compliments to it. I have no idea why my search engine wouldn't take me there, but Mudcat interest conquers all. Mudjack |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Alice Date: 25 Jul 99 - 03:13 PM gee, didn't we do these bios last year or the year before??? I can't remember the name of the thread, though... anyway, that elusive thread is where you will find my story. alice in montana |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Lesley N. Date: 25 Jul 99 - 05:55 PM Alice was it this thread Why we gravitate to Mudcat? There are some bios there.... And thanks folk and mudjack for the good words on the site - never tire of hearing them! |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Alice Date: 25 Jul 99 - 06:07 PM hey, Lesley, I think that's the one! Thanks for finding it. -alice |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: DougR Date: 26 Jul 99 - 12:38 PM I'm a graduate of North Texas State University (now University of North Texas), spent most of my working life in arts administration (non-profit organizations). I managed symphony orchestras (Beaumont, Texas 4 years - Phoenix Symphony 11 years). I was director of performing arts, film and television at the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D. C. for two years, and owned an arts management consulting firm for 7 years. I tried the private sector (owened a travel agency in Phoenix) for five years but finally returned to the arts. I retired after 7 years as Development Director for the Arizona Theatre Company (a professional regional theatre) in September, 1996. I still do some consulting in fundraising and marketing the arts in the Phoenix area. I also am affiliated with an artist booking agency in New York (Eddy Arnold's manager) and we promote concerts in the area from time to time. I was raised on cowboy and western music in the small Central Texas town where I grew up (near Waco ...everybody knows where Waco is). Formed a trio, guitar, accordian and violin/banjo and played at various functions. I handled the vocals and played rhythum guitar. The 60's re-kindled my interest in Folk music. Though I seldom see him mentioned here at the Mudcat, I am a great admirer of Burl Ives. I love his folk songs, though I do not particularly admire his forays into more popular music (She Needed Me, etc.). Now, I play and sing for my own amazement, though I have participated in open-mike nights at the nearby Dubliner Irish Pub from time to time. The degree of my participation is usually dependent upon how much Irish "cheer" I might have consumed during the evening. I am relatively new to the Mudcat, but like many others, have found it to be a bit addictive. It's rare to find so many people who share common interests, and are so nice to each other. DougR |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: John OSh Date: 26 Jul 99 - 06:13 PM I'll throw my hat in. Born in Chicago in '73, and lived here pretty much my whole life. Youngest of 6 kids. Never been married. Worked many jobs in life, from paperboy from age 6 to 13 (250 papers a morning, and never one complaint in all those years. I just think people were nicer, because I probalble sure deserved them) to gas pump jockey to lifeguard on the sandy shores of Michigumie for 5 seasons (non-baywatch). Graduated college and went into case management for a wonderful Catholic organization in Chicago. Moved onto being a therapist on a lock psych. unit in a hospital (Know what the difference between the staff and the patients on a psych unit is? The staff has keys) Decieded to make a change after ~ 4yrs of soc. wrk and became involved in market research while holding a second job slinging drinks (for past 4 yrs) at a nice Irish pub. Enjoy sailing and listening to various types of music (esp. folk). Have loved folk music my whole life as I cut my teeth on trad. Irish folk. I have absolutely no musically ability whatsoever, seeing as I cannot even whistle in tune and my voice (often heard when a few drinks have been consumed) has been known to make stones cry in agony. Katlaughing - Good book on various diety needs for individuals called "Eat right for your type" by Dr. Peter D'Amato. Helped me immensly and even relieved my allergies! (No joke) Overall, a nice life so far. John OSh
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: j0_77 Date: 26 Jul 99 - 09:09 PM Begun playing Guitar age 7 - first pro gig (age 15), a rowdy Irish Bar in England when they sang "Behan" songs. I recall the drummer falling asleep every night bout 9.30 pm - we always knew he was gone by the big crash as he fell onto the snare drum. On the wilder nights you had to duck the flying bottles :) Kinda like the Blues Bros hehe, cept there was no chicken wire. For those who sing Mc Alpine's - it was just like the song, - for those who think Musicians are 'soft' etc the guy I played for used take me out on a site during the week and the work was tough - really! I recall running (not walking) with 8x4' 3/4" marine ply sheets - it was not a place for a 'softie' as they called em. Kinda makes me laugh to see 'tough guys' out here. The folk I met in those days got the muscle from hard heavy work and they could really kick **s if there was a fight. Most of em were over 6 ft and over. Look up Dominic Behan if you need to find out more - or the Dubliners. (Oh there was one big row one night and the bass drum ended up around some guys neck - I saved my Hofner Electric Guitar by hiding it in a broom cupboard.) Nuff said.
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: jon a Date: 26 Jul 99 - 09:31 PM Born Dover, Kent, England. April 1964. Listen to most types of music and murder songs (mainly ballads and folk songs) around the camp fire and in the shower, speand my time looking after my 2 children while my wife works and at weekends often to be found re-enacting old battles or shooting clay pigeons. Jon |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: katlaughing Date: 26 Jul 99 - 09:43 PM Jo 77: it is going to be phun meeting you & listening to some more of those stories at Mudstock99! Thanks, JohnOsh. My gyrlfriend told me about that book. I am doing really well with the Atkins for now, 35 lbs since mid-Feb. My doctor is happy and so am I. I will check that book out, though. Nice of you to notice that. katlaughing |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: j0_77 Date: 26 Jul 99 - 09:58 PM NOTE- just in case a reader is confused - I moved over the pond a long time ago :) Currently in Woody Guthrie country Oklahoma USA. All that happened in between is a haze - mostly. |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Liam's Brother Date: 26 Jul 99 - 10:30 PM Had it not been for Fate, I would have grown up across the road from one of the World's most famous golf courses in Ballybunion, Co. Kerry. My parents were unable to buy the house of their dreams and Liam and I were packed up aboard the Cunard liner Aquitania and pointed towards Canada. We came to New York after 2 years in Toronto. I spent 3 years at a boarding school in the Midlands of England and had the last year of secondary school at a huge public high school in NYC complete with pom-pom cheerleaders in short skirts. It was a change. We sang Irish songs at home. Many of them were traditional. In 1961, Liam loaned me a recording of selections from Gavin Greig's "Last Leaves of the Traditional Ballads" by Robin Hall & Jimmy MacGregor. I became very keen to find out more about folk music. In the early '70s, I started singing shanties at South Street Seaport and, shortly afterwards, became active at The Irish Arts Center in NYC. In the mid '70s, I formed a group called The Flying Cloud with Paddy Reynolds, a Sligo-style fiddler from Co. Longford, who later recorded with Andy McGann and Paul Brady, and with Brian Brooks who went on to play with The House Band. There were a number of personnel changes. We played at The Philadelphia Folk Festival in 1977 and recorded the same year. Brian and I also recorded in 1977 with our friends, The Starboard List. With the help of friends, I ran a folk club at The Eagle Tavern in NYC for 10 years, finishing in 1984. I pretty much gave up music for my job in the airline business for many years after that. I started singing and fishing again a couple of years ago and I finished up work with Lou Killen, Mick Moloney, The Irish Tradition and some NYC friends on my CD of Irish sea songs. Folk-Legacy put it out late last year. We're working on another CD with a different theme now. I sing mostly with Bob Conroy and Brian Conway, both New Yorkers. Bob plays guitar and banjo and Brian is an outstanding Irish fiddler who won the All-Ireland Championship in 1986. Bob and I will be in Ireland, California and England before this year is over. I also organize the sea music concerts at South Street Seaport. I still work in the airline industry. I just don't take it so seriously anymore.
All the best,
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Allan C. Date: 27 Jul 99 - 09:10 AM Here's another thread which gives some background on a few of us What Got You Started? |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: bob schwarer Date: 27 Jul 99 - 03:02 PM Dan: Whatever happened to Bernie Klay(X-Seamans Institute)? Have heard nothing from or of him in years. Bob S. |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: dick greenhaus Date: 27 Jul 99 - 03:07 PM Bernie Klay died a year or so ago. |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Winters Wages Date: 27 Jul 99 - 03:17 PM Dick..Was he the one that sang in the kind of high tone??? |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Liam's Brother Date: 27 Jul 99 - 03:36 PM Dick is quite correct. Bernie had a number of illness but being a tough old bugger defied doctor's predictions for many years. Bernie was a tenor. Frank Woerner, whom you may also have met, sings with us on Tuesday nights onboard the Peking at South Street Seaport.
All the best, |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Winters Wages Date: 27 Jul 99 - 03:49 PM Thanks Dan..I kind of thought so..I made some tapes from some old LP's that are no longer available from the local library here...they were great tunes...Regards Lloyd |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Res To: Katlaughing Date: 27 Jul 99 - 04:43 PM Didn't want to or didn't know how to or even if I should start a new thread. But...Kat...interested in Cowboy music/poetry. What gives on your end? Res |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: katlaughing Date: 27 Jul 99 - 05:31 PM Res, not sure I know what you mean? Are you intersted in them? I was raised on them and other music and have Lomax's book which was reissued in the 80's. You could send me a personal message. Thanks, Kat |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: YorkshireYankee Date: 16 Apr 04 - 04:29 PM Came across this thread (while looking for something else) & thought it was a nice idea, & worth refreshing... (Hope to add something myself, but don't have the time just at the moment.) Cheers, YY |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: mack/misophist Date: 16 Apr 04 - 07:24 PM Born in a military hospital in 1945 and was named after the doctor's father, since he didn't know what else to call me. Some years later I married well above my station. As yet, I have not died. |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 16 Apr 04 - 07:29 PM Thanks for reviving this one, YY: I wasn't in the pond back in '99 so this is new to me... I enjoy the very short biographies in the member profiles, but these are much more interesting. Guess I might as well add my own, different than the one in the Member's profile. I was born in 1935 on flag day. Much later in life, I discovered that 1935 was the one hundredth anniversary of my home town, when I wrote a song about the history of the town. I was a kid of the second World War and spent about an equal amount of time wiping out Germans and Japs and Injuns. Man, were we politically incorrect, or what? A Red Ryder bb rifle felt equally comfortable in my hand as a sawdust Army 45. I always loved music, from the romantic big band music of the 40's to the first rumbles of rhythm and blues, folk and rockabilly in the late 40's and early 50's. I'd blow most of my weekly allowance buying The Hit Parade magazine because it had the lyrics to all the most poular songs of the day. The rest would be spent buying 78 rpms, and when they came out, 45's. I got my first instruments when I was around nine or ten, in no particular order.. Sweet potatoes (ceramic, not plastic) harmonicas, and then a ukelele. I thought I did a particularly dramatic rendition of the theme from High Noon on my ukelele. When I was around 14 or 15, I bought a mandolin in a pawn shop and tried to figure the thing out. After that, it was my first guitar... a Stella. Combination guitar and cheese slicer because of the high action. I tried to make it look classier by cutting out diamonds from a plastic place mat and inlaying them in the neck, and then stripped off the long-underwear pattern cream and gray striped paint and refinished the guitar. It was still a Stella when I finished, and it was still almost impossible to play, but I sold it at a hefty profit. From there, I moved to one of the first Fender stratocasters, which sounded Godawful with my cheesy little amplifer with one knob on it. My primary love of music then was jazz, but I'd heard enough of the Weavers and Burl Ives to pluck out a few folk songs. To make a long story short, I went through a slow procession of instruments... each time trading in one guitar for the next. I gave up on being a jazz guitarist because it required reading music and practicing, and gravitated more toward folk by the time I was in my mid twenties. After all these years, I see elements of all the music I've loved in my life... quartet music, stretching back to the Four Lads and Four Freshmen, jazz guitar, gospel music, traditional folk, story-telling songs and a little taste of rock and roll. Along the way, I started writing songs just for the fun of it, back in the mid 50's. And I still don't like to read music or practice. Jerry |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: John P Date: 16 Apr 04 - 10:28 PM Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1954. Grew up so far out in the country we couldn't see our nearest neighbors. We were the only house on the road. I started pounding on anything that looked vaguely like a drum (and many things that didn't) when I was very young, so my parents eventually got me a snare drum and some lessons. I taught myself to play blues piano in my early teens and spent my high school and college years playing keyboards and/or drums in various hard rock, prog rock, blues rock, and jazz fusion bands. I played my first professional gig at 15, which means I've been performing for 34 years now. Egad! I moved to Seattle at age 21, spent a few years doing a new age solo piano thing and then took up folk music in 1980 because I had a girlfriend who was starting a folk band and wanted me to come play guitar. I kept telling her I was a keyboard and drum guy, not a guitarist, but she perservered and I learned. At some point in the 80s I picked up a Celtic harp, a cittern, several wind instruments which I still don't play very well, and continued adding to my ever-growing collection of ethnic hand drums. I spent 20 years playing with my wife Anna in a duo called Telynor. We recorded four albums. I've recently started Crookshank, a six piece folk/rock/euro-trad fusion band. It's a lot of fun to have six players to fool around with (including electric bass and tablas) after so long as one of two musicians on the stage. I'm the general manager of Dusty Strings, a company that runs a large acoustic music store and is a major builder of harps and hammered dulcimers (how many jobs are there where the fact that I play harp was a big deal at the interview?). I live with my wife in a nice little house in a nice little neighborhood in north Seattle with our cat Bobo. I go to work every day, and play music as much as I want with talented people that I like a lot. I've been a vegetarian since 1975. I am blessed with good health, a good mind, good musical skills, a job I still like after 15 years, and a wife that still loves me after 19 years. Life could be a lot worse. John Peekstok |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 16 Apr 04 - 11:06 PM 1951 - I was born. I don't remember much about it because I was awfully young. I heard that I was ugly and that my Daddy wanted to pinch my head off but my Mamma hit him with a skillet instead. 1952 -1970 - I was a child and/or a teenager. It was boring. I have no idea how that child grew up to be me. By all rights, he should have become an accountant or a real estate lawyer. 1971 - 2000 - I tried to be a responsible adult. I failed. Somewhere along in there I learned to play the guitar and other things with strings on them. That did not help much with the responsible part. 2000 - I discovered the "Mudcat Cafe". My life started to go downhill. 2004 - I am not dead yet. That's more than Jerry Garcia could say at my age. PS: Since this is supposed to be a "brief" bio, I have omitted all the stuff about drugs and sex and alcohol. |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: SmokinBill Date: 17 Apr 04 - 12:14 AM I was born in 1972 and grew up in Johnstown, N.Y., in the foothills of the Adirondacks. Taught myself to play a little harmonica as a teenager. Lived for a year ('90-91) as an exchange student in Jamaica. Studied English and Irish literature (as well as Rugby football and drinking songs of all cultures) at Union College for four, er, five years, graduated in 1996. Played harp on a few occasions with such beer-party luminaries as Wok the Dog and Cajun Jack & The Rubber Band. Started teaching myself to play acoustic guitar that fall while working as a reporter at my hometown newspaper. Started trying to channel Mississippi John Hurt, with some success (I do love that Maxwell's House ... that's some coffee!). Took guitar lessons fron Glenn Weiser on and off from 1997 to 2000. Married Jennifer Sponnoble July 1, 2000. Studied with Pat Johnson and others at National Guitar Workshop, July of 2001. Son Liam Guthrie Ackerbauer was born March 31, 2002. Had a blast learning a little old-time banjo and mandolin at Ashokan Fiddle & Dance Camp, August of 2003. Catch me this summer pickin' and grinnin'amongst the produce at farmers markets throughout Fulton and Montgomery counties... Bill Ackerbauer Smokin' Bill's Digital Depot |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Paul Mills Date: 17 Apr 04 - 12:48 AM I'm blown away by the fact that this thread was started by Rick and that now that he's gone, it's carrying on! It's just so perfect - he was in constant celebration of everyone's life that he came into contact with - this is the perfect Rick legacy thread!! OK, so here's mine: Born in 1945 of parents who were not particularly musical (except for Mom). Grew up in the fifties and came to Folk music throught the commercial boom headed up by the Kingston Trio but through that discovered the deeper roots. Had the good fortune of landing a job at CBC Radio and producing many folk recordings over the years. I continue to do that after leaving CBC about 6 or 7 years ago. I have the good fortune of loving my job and finding fulfilment every day! Helping Rick finish his last CD is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Paul |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: bet Date: 17 Apr 04 - 10:20 PM At my age a few brief lines is hard to come by, but here goes. Born in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, the 2nd of 5. katlaughing is my baby sister. Grew up in a family of musicians, folk and classical. I've been in the business of education since 1965 when I took my first teaching job in a small western Colorado town, Nucla. After there I came to Craig, CO in northwestern CO. with my 3 children,I left my husband there. My kids are grown and on their own now. At this time I have one wonderful grandson and another one on the way. At the end of the school year, 2004, I am retiring and moving to Fairbanks, AK area where my daughter lives with her husband and soon to be 2 boys. My oldest daughter, her husband and my son, the youngest, live in the San Diego area. I can hardly wait for this career change. There is no way that I can "retire" I can't afford to nor do I want to go crazy sitting around, that's not me. I'll be substituting and volunteering and I hope baby sitting. I seem to be a collector of instruments. I get crazy ideas and end up with something new to play with every so often. I'm not really good on any thing but the violin and I'm not sure I am any good on it any more. I love folk festival though don't usually participate in the playing, I just love to listen. I'm now single and movin' on. bet |
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Subject: RE: Brief Mudcat Biographies. From: Peace Date: 17 Apr 04 - 10:27 PM Born in 1947. Led a mostly uninteresting life and I now live in Alberta. I like music. |
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