How to tell your friends about Mudcat

Subject: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: Naemanson
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 06:05 AM

I been thinking about this for some time. I have a number of friends who are into folk music and blues and who would benefit from being part of the Mudcat. But when I try to tell them what we have here it seems to fall on deaf ears.

The best I've been able to elicit from my friends is the comment that it's good that I'm watching the Mudcat for them. This is generally after I bring some particularly good tidbit of musical information out of the threads.

Have you had the same problem? Have you tried to include a friend or friends in our group and failed? What gives?

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: dwditty
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 06:28 AM

This happens to me all the time. The best success I have had is to sit a friend down in front of hearme. On two occasions I have gotten them to sing. In another case, I printed a particularly engaging thread and gave it to several people. Only one read it, and, although she has told others about mudcat, she has not joined. What 'cha gonna do? Rubber biscuit?

dw

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 06:34 AM

Yes, I have failed but I don't worry about it. My impression of the majority of people I know in the folk music world round here is that they are very narrow minded and as long as they are happy forming cliques and being part of the internationally famous Conwy Folk club ;-) that they don't want to look any further.

I say I don't worry but the biggest sickener for me was trying to generate some interst for a Mudcatter who was visiting N Wales with friends - I was apparently lying when they expressed surprise at the number of people present on one Folk Club gathering when the organisers were surpised at the number of "strangers turning up" and said why and I was even blackmailed into either admitting this "lie" or bieng denied the lift wich I needed.

The end result was that I walked out of the club that I (not they) had founded and I say to my self while they are staying tiny minded in a tiny folk club, I am getting to know great people and learning a lot - good luck to them, I have no regrets in my descision - I join in one world wide sessions, etc. and they are stuck fighting for power in a nowhere town.

Jon

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: GUEST,Sam Pirt
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 06:43 AM

Hi

I think I may have had success. I often say :

"Its this great resource on the internet where loads of singers and musicians discuss folk music from around the world"

I then go onto say:

"You can start threads or input ionto threads one many topics like getting song words to adviceing someone on the best guitar to buy"

Than I finish off with :

"The address is www.mudcat.org"

Ok so I don't say it like this every time but thats my sort of formula, brief to the point and it explains what its a bout. OK there is loads more I can say to but a non catter member I recon that all they need to know.

Cheers, Sam

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: bill\sables
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 06:45 AM

I usually find a good way to get someone interested is to say
" Hey, I got this great song book the other day with 8,500 songs in it and a way to play lots of the tunes as well and it cost nothing. Do you want one?"
This usually gets their attention then I follow up with,
"Here is the Mudcat website, The Song Book is just the tip of the iceberg"
But I find a better way is to show them Mudcat on their computer. Cheers Bill

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: Midchuck
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 06:48 AM

What Freeman said.

I've met a lot of folkies who want to stay in their own small group where they know everybody, and all the songs; and don't want anyone new to come in who would do anything differently.

Not everyone, praise be, but a lot.

Peter.

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: Catrin
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 07:09 AM

My friends just think I'm nuts - even if i do turn up with lyrics for them and witty stories and information.

But what the heck, there's worse things to be thought of than 'nuts'.....

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 07:13 AM

I go on and on and on and on...........
about how great it is - lots of my friends use the DT, a few have joined the forum (Hi Chris, Les, Paul and Jayne) The others will get there eventually.
Patrish

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: GUEST,Michael in Swansea
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 07:28 AM

I was told about it by a friend who hasn't bothered with it since, but then again he's fickle.
I've told friends about the DT and about the laughs and tears shared in the forum, a couple have visited.
The one thing that should not me mentioned is IT'S BLOODY ADDICTIVE.

Mike

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 07:38 AM

Jon, that experience you had was a very sad story.

Midchuck, as a newbie I have had a welcoming experience into the Toronto folk groups and song circles. They were thrilled to see a little neophyte join in the gang and contribute anything new. Especially when I placed a tray of cheese & crackers on the song circle potluck snack table. That was a real hit!

When Rick Fielding told me about the Mudcat he spoke of what goes on here with much enthusiasm. At every lesson he would tell me about interesting threads and all the wonderful things I would find here. I even sat with him at his computer while he created a thread for me looking for banjo players into medieval melodic tunes.
I did take a look at the posts responding to that thread but after that I never went back to the Mudcat for months.
One day it just dawned on me I wanted to start getting involved here.
It kind of follows the same rules as setting an example. Just 'do your thing' and share what gives you joy with others. Some people will be inspired by your enthusiasm and want to follow your path and others may not.
Some might take their time like I did.
Thats okay, you never know what kind of impact you have made on someone else.

Little Neo

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 08:12 AM

I guess it is just life Bonnie. Here is the thread where it all started - aparrently I did not even mention it's existance to the locals.

I guess the only sad part is that when my mum lived in the area, the people who used the lifts as a power tool against me had gladly accepted lifts off my mother...

Jon

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: Naemanson
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 08:26 AM

I have called this the greatest biological database of folk music going. I have explained about the community spirit. I have talked about HearMe and the song circles that span the globe. I have mentioned the 8,500 songs and the 3,500+ midi files for those songs.

The comments I get are varied when I try to tell people what this place is like. One friend dismisses it by trying to tell me the information I would get here is suspect because it is just opinion and innuendo. Apparently he doesn't understand the methods whereby we learn the stories and origins of the music. I have provided him with some of the threads. It doesn't seem to have any impact.

To be fair, a few of my friends are aware of the potential for addiction and do not want to add anything more to their already busy lives. I guess I cannot blame them. The make or break will be when I get them to perform a Catconcert with me. Keep your ears open for Roll & Go at the CatConcert Hall.

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: Easy Rider
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 08:38 AM

If you get frustrated with your friends, you just have to remember the old joke that came from the Algonquin Round Table:

How to use the word, Horticulture, in a sentence:

You can lead a whore to culture, but you can't make her think.

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: Gary T
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 09:46 AM

Some time ago, after years of urging from me, some friends of mine finally came to the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS. They had such a good time that they berated me (jokingly--sort of) for not forcing them to come earlier, and they now come every year. Others have come to the festival and been less impressed, not caring to return.

I can tell people how much I love something, but I can't really tell them how much they'll love it.

Same thing with Mudcat. If you underplay it, you may not pique anyone's interest. If you overhype it, you're likely to set up disappointment due to unrealistic expectations. All you can do is tell them about it, and if their interest in the matter meshes with their trust of your taste and judgment, they might give it a whirl. But it's hard for most people to personally take on your own excitement over something. It can be frustrating when you want to share something like this with folks you believe will take to it and they don't seem to have much interest, but that's life, I guess.

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: Mrrzy
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 09:48 AM

Allan(C) apparently told me about this place a few years ago, but I don't even remember being told about it. I found it because I was doing Internet searches for lyrics to old songs I couldn't recall, and more often than not, Mudcat was where I found them. So I bookmarked it. Then I started reading the discussions.... then I started posting to them... then I joined. Kinda like the slide from Old Maid - to Hearts... then suddenly you're up all night playing Bridge. Or other things that one gets into gradually, get hooked, and then can never get out of again...

Then Allan found out I was here and tried to get me to remember him telling me about it... no soap. As far as I know, I got here on my own, I wasn't recruited. However, I talk about this place all the time. People say Oh, (interesting thing) and I almost inevitably reply Oh yes, there is a fascinating thread on this very thing at Mudcat. But nobody has tried to join based on that, unfortunately, I'd love to see more of my kith and kin here.

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: GUEST,Mbo_at_ECU
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 12:14 PM

What friends?

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 12:32 PM

It is frustrating. Another mudcatter and I have several times told this mutual friend about the Mudcat- and she claims it's scary!

Most of the time I emphasize that it's not a chat room, just a wide open forum and resource chock full of information and community but except for the one 'Catter I don't know that anyone has even checked it out.

Oh, I have to amend that. I sent the Recovery thread address to George's best friend and I know he has read it because he told me so. It would be fun if he joined...

Ebbie

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: mousethief
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 12:36 PM

I have "poisoned" my 13yo daughter. She gets in the car and is happy to listen to whatever I have on (unless it's news) but it's usually folk, blues, or neo-folk (folk-like music). But she says none of her other friends like folk music and she has given up trying to talk to them about it. I know how she feels.

Fortunately most of my social circle these days comes from my church, which is a very folky bunch of people. When we have big get-togethers, we dance virginia reels and listen to fiddle tunes and folky standards on pennywhistles and banjos and guitars.

Not bad for a bunch of icons-and-incense types.

Alex
O..O
=o=

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 01:03 PM

The people I have directed here choose not to become members. Their main interest is the Digitrad. That's fine.

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: Naemanson
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 01:13 PM

Please don't misunderstand me. I am not saying that there is any need to drag people in here. I am more curious as to how many of you have been able to interest your friends and relations.

You can lead a horse to water...

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: Biskit
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 01:15 PM

I've tried to turn a few good friends onto Mudcat My older brother the slide freak being among that number. I've finally put in the same perspective as why I ride a Harley Davidson, If I have to explain,.... You'd never understand. peace-Biskit-

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 01:15 PM

You can? What happens then? I'm interested.

Spaw

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 01:24 PM

I got a couple of people interested simply by talking about stuff that was going on here. I hesitate to push people who are primarily interested in music to visit/join, because there isn't that much discussion of music these days. I do mention discussions about things they might be interested in, though.

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: Gary T
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 01:50 PM

Then, Spaw, you have a horse next to the water.

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 01:53 PM

Aw damn Gary.......I was hopin' for something really GOOD!!! Just a horse next to the water huh? Oh well..............

Spaw

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 01:56 PM

I have quite a few friends who would get a lot out of Mudcat. One unfortunately has a distrust of computers and a deeper distrust of the Net. Some others are too busy to have a look and will get round to it oneday. All these people are delighted when I turn up with the music, the lyrics or general music information they asked about. And it is all from here supplied by you lot - but they just can't or won't visit this site themselves.

Roger

Subject: RE: How to tell your friends about Mudcat
From: mike putt
Date: 04 Oct 00 - 04:16 PM

I talk about it, arrive into work bleary eyed and am asked "were you out last night", " No, visiting the mudcat " and of course wearing the teeshirt, mailing songs on to work ( I have no printer )