What Mudcat means to me

Subject: What Mudcat means to me
From: nutty
Date: 01 Dec 12 - 11:40 AM

Every time Max says he is struggling my heart sinks.

What would I do without Mudcat?

I joined not long after it came into existance and since that time I have felt part of an extended folk family.

Living alone I spend many hours on my own and many of those in pain but at the press of a button I can find the company of like-minded people, many I have known for years, others I have come to know and regard them almost as family.

Some encouraged me when I was giving up smoking (and that was 12 years ago now) others have been kind about my singing and songwriting.

Winter is just starting and it would be a very lonely one without my Mudcat Friends.

I have sent donations to Max a few occassions - but I certainly owe more for the hours of unpaid dedication he has put into making this site the success it is.

If you feel like me that the existance of Mudcat is essential then
DON'T QUIBBLE - DONATE

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: kendall
Date: 01 Dec 12 - 11:53 AM

Give 'til it hurts. Mudcat is priceless.

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: Leadfingers
Date: 01 Dec 12 - 01:54 PM

Mudcat has cost me a hell of a lot of money over the years - Flying across for Getaway is NOT cheap , but the friends I have made through Mudcat more than make up for the financial aspects of Getaway trips !

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 01 Dec 12 - 04:01 PM

Through this forum and others similar I have made good friends who I have never met. We are sharing valuable knowledge.

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 01 Dec 12 - 05:51 PM

well said, Steve, I'll second that

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: Rapparee
Date: 01 Dec 12 - 09:55 PM

Well, yeah, I like it, sort of, maybe, kinda, perhaps. I don't want to commit myself too much.

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Dec 12 - 10:11 PM

I'm probably paying less attention to this Forum now than I used to but I owe it continuous support for what I've learned about other people's music and how I've learned to do more creative things myself.

Thanks, MAX, and everyone else who has provided positive posts on this forum.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: framus
Date: 01 Dec 12 - 10:20 PM

Lots of fun, some grief (prob self inflicted!) over the past few years.
Anyway I've stuck in my Divorcee's Mite, hope it all works well!

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Dec 12 - 03:54 AM

Well, hey, I met Spaw at Mudcat. And then I traveled to Ohio and met him in person.

Need I say more?


-Joe-

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: jacqui.c
Date: 02 Dec 12 - 07:55 AM

Mudcat literally changed my life. That is what it means to me.

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: Beer
Date: 02 Dec 12 - 09:21 AM

Mudcat keeps me connected to folks around the world. Well nearly. I have met folks which I would have never met before and become friends (close in some cases.)with some as well. Had Mudcatters stay at our home and have traveled and stayed at their homes as well. Have shared a few drinks of cheer with some and have discussed the Mudcat at great lengths. It has not changed my life as it has for jacqui. But I completely understand how it could for some. I have been rewarded by some members who have traveled to this small part of the world (Quebec)and performed at a festival('s) I was involved with.

I know I don't participate as much as I use to but that does not mean I don't read the posted threads. Reasons for this I am not going to discuss here but maybe on a different thread. I guess the greatesdisappointmentnt I have is that we have lost so many wonderful members. But that has nothing to do with Max.
Adrien

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: olddude
Date: 02 Dec 12 - 09:30 AM

I found a group of friends that are as messed up crazy as me
:-)

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: Max
Date: 02 Dec 12 - 09:57 AM

Mudcat makes me feel less alone in this world every single day.

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Dec 12 - 10:07 AM

Sorry to Jack this thread, however I can't find a way to get a message/question to
Olddude
OLDDUDE, did you ever find anything on the whereabouts of Coffee House Circuit Mary Smith from Michigan???
She was a friend of mine as well, I have searched often for her to no avail.
I met her in south Dakota at USD and she ended up hanging around the area for most of a spring and summer..
Thanks for your help, and this is a great site..thanks to all for not flaming me for jacking the thread!!!
AND I can see why this site means so much to so many different people...Keep up the good work all of you and thanks again.
HB

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 02 Dec 12 - 08:19 PM

Mudcat's become an almost daily part of my life. On those rare days when I don't get to it, I miss it. None of my "everyday" friends are folk music fans, but a few years ago when I retired and could get to more concerts I made several Stone Soup Coffeehouse Friends (though I don't see them or communicate with them daily), and now I feel like I have several Mudcat friends--or at least acquaintances. I am glad the people here are part of my daily life if only via the 'Net.

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: Beer
Date: 02 Dec 12 - 09:04 PM

GUEST,
I'll send olddude a message. The very best of luck to you.
Ad.

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: olddude
Date: 02 Dec 12 - 09:57 PM

HB
I never did find her ... she was an amazing gifted singer and guitar player .. I will never forget the way she did "for free" I never missed her gig when she came to the University. I use to talk with her for hours ... wish I knew what happened to her

Dan

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 02 Dec 12 - 11:15 PM

Hey guest
if you remember Mary Smith you will probably also remember Paul Langille from the circuit. I exchanged emails with paul about a year ago. He is still at it and as great as he was in 1971

http://www.execulink.com/~langill1/

sorry for the thread creep
Dan

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: GUEST,999
Date: 03 Dec 12 - 02:52 AM

IMO, it ain't thread creep at all. It's part of what Mudcat means by being part of what Mudcat does.

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Dec 12 - 03:37 AM

Well, through Mudcat I met Will Fly, a great musician and a wonderful person. And Ian Chisholm, who made my irreplacable favourite guitar. I also met many members of the North Kent Folk Mafia, such as Girl Friday, Pete The Hat, Don WYZIWYG and several others. I even caught Max on his last UK visit.

A great resource that's enriched my life!

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 03 Dec 12 - 03:41 AM

Last one was me, without cookie!

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: sciencegeek
Date: 03 Dec 12 - 08:09 AM

I came to Mudcat later than many, but it was like finding long lost family... loving, dysfunctional and all that...


Mudcat runs like a democracy... as much as it can... lots of hard work, but worth it   imho

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: GUEST,HB (soon to be signed up as a member)
Date: 03 Dec 12 - 11:07 AM

Olddude, thanks for the quick reply.. Mary Smith turned me on to Gordon Lightfoot..Living in south Dakota, I had not heard of him yet, he had 2 lps out at the time, I believe..
Mary did a rendition of "Does Your mother Know" that just melted me when I first heard her play it, and I had to stick around after the gig and ask her about that song, that's how we met.
I have not seen or heard from her since that spring of 69..
I would imagine if no one here has any contact, she is just not to be found...I have done a lot of looking via google and other sources..
Thanks again for your reply, HB

And Dan, I do remember Paul Langille from the circuit..
I did not get to meet him personally other than a hand shake and a "thanks for the tunes" sort of encounter.
Thanks for the link and for the memory/reminder of another fine player...HB

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 04 Dec 12 - 12:36 AM

I don't really have any friends into folk music these days (and that circle has gotten smaller in past years) due to friends moving far away and or/not in contact with them now. Used to have some friends that were really into folk music at one time - but over the years, due to different circumstances, I am not in contact (in person) with the folk friends anymore.
So as I have gotten older, just no communication with the folk friends I once had.
I am very glad for Mudcat and even though I have never met anyone in person it is so nice to read the threads or post threads all related to folk music.

Sure, not every single thread interests me but many, many do and it is great to find people who enjoy the same folk music, singer/groups that you listen to. There have been so many wonderful threads especially about, "Whatever happened to? or "What are they doing now?" (with all different obscure artists) names. Often times, people do know what became of such and such a person.

I have found answers to many questions over the years on Mudcat;
about songs, about various singers and just all kinds of interesting things!

So many, many thanks for this wonderful site and great people who participate and read Mudcat threads!

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: Claire M
Date: 27 Jun 13 - 07:06 AM

Hiya,

I've made many friends. & it's easy for me to use too. Much easier than most boards I use. I am a care home's newest fosterling (sounds nicer than ("resident"), & every time someone here sees anything to do with folklore, Steeleye Span, blues, fantasy, etc. they're reminded of me – most of them don't share my love of it all though, & see me as a bit strange.

& I found/re-discovered Pratchett through here, which literally has changed my life, even though Robin Jarvis's Whitby trilogy made me what I am today, I've run out of books by him to read.

Pratchett's stuff – I think the Tiffany books are my favourite -- can keep me occupied for ages. & me being in the situation I am the more occupied I can be, the better really.

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: Joybell
Date: 27 Jun 13 - 05:12 PM

I've been here a long time now. There are thoughts and stories I can share here with my Mudcat family that I can't elsewhere. I have True-love but we are very isolated. My spirit dwells in a musical culture that is not my own. True-love and my Mudcat friends allow me to share that music. I feel blessed.
Joy

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: Claire M
Date: 28 Jun 13 - 02:32 PM

Hiya,

I saw this before, but couldn't work out how to work it!

In disabled circles, people have silly ideas about what they can/can't manage. My "alternative living" situation, according to them, is the worst situation you can be in & should be avoided at all costs, (forgetting the good points (cheap but nice food, cheap haircuts, help with everything when/if you need it & an adoptive family) I had to come off said websites cos I was getting so much grief which I could do w/o.

Blues/rock circles are fine, as are fantasy/paganny ones; they seem to be very accepting about me being selective about concerts etc.

I don't want to be on tons of websites that cause you hassle when/if you leave. I can chat about all these things with my Mudcat family.

Here I can share my love of fairy tales without looking like I'm mad. The font could do with being bigger though.

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jun 13 - 03:23 PM

Claire M Hold your ctrl button and forward scroll your mouse wheel.

I look at Mudcat probably every time I'm on the computer. (I put mine on only when I want to use it) As well as getting help on song and folk topics its users are very useful for help or opinion on any topic. eg Tech. I'll ask here because the respondents guess I'm just a folkie with a computer. I wouldn't understand the answer on a computer anorak's site.
There is though a lot of bickering.

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: Larry The Radio Guy
Date: 28 Jun 13 - 03:58 PM

Yep there is a lot of bickering----just like with any family. But I really like it when two people who are bickering irrationally and insulting each other suddenly find a common ground, and the whole tone changes----for awhile.   Noticed that happen on the GMO thread.

I also like the unpredictability----who knows what post somebody will 'pick up'.....and just when it looks like it's dropped, somebody brings it back. Each individual in mudcat as a lot of power and influence---and it's a great exercise in using it responsibly.

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: Suzy Sock Puppet
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 09:02 AM

You want to make Mudcat a better place? Then knock it off with the anti-Semitic BS threads. Muslim defense league can go straight to hell!

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: GUEST,Leadbelly
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 09:13 AM

Coming back home after 4 years of absence. What a good feeling, wow!

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: GUEST,Leadbelly
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 09:19 AM

Sorry, but I'm not a GUEST. Something went wrong.

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: Claire M
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 09:56 AM

Hiya,

Thanks!

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: framus
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 07:22 PM

Just found this thread. Any of you lot use the chatroom?
I'm there most nights about midnight BST, would appreciate any company!
Cheers!

Subject: RE: What Mudcat means to me
From: fat B****rd
Date: 05 Jul 13 - 03:49 PM

Mudcat means to me..kindness from people I will never meet. And that's all she wrote.