BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest

Subject: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 04:55 AM

Allright, folk. Summer is coming (although, from current weather conditions in the Upper Midwest you'd never know it). I can't possibly be the only 'Catter in Wisconsin. There MUST be more. How about Illinois, the UP, Minnesota, Iowa? Is it possible for us to collectively organize some sort of gathering up here. Is there one already? What say you Midwest 'Catters?

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 07:13 AM

You'll probably get more responses the way you've worded your thread, Stephen... "Catters FROM the Midwest," rather than IN the Midwest. There are a ton of us "from" the Midwest I bet. Or at least a couple of hundred pounds worth. I am from Janesville, Wisconsin and come out at least a couple of times a year to visit family. I have a son who grew up out here in Connecticut who moved to Rockford, Illinois, and we go down to visit him, when we come out. We'll be coming out in mid-May and perhaps again in November. We're usually on a fairly tight schedule, so I end up not getting to visit old high school buddies, but if people were getting together and I could plan around it, I might be able to join in for a day..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 07:36 AM

I'm a "From" -- born in the UP and grew up in the Milwaukee 'burbs. Grandparents from Colby & Stetsonville, Wisconsin. So my roots are there, but I've been in New England for over 30 years.

But . . . I'll be in Milwaukee the first two weeks in June and Mom says I can use her car.

Have voice, will travel.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Big Mick
Date: 24 Apr 02 - 10:08 AM

I am in Southwest Michigan, but with enough notice and a suitable location, I will be there. Let's get this thing going!

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 09:39 AM

Are there no Mudcatters based at Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI? If not, it's probably because they have so much fun jamming with each other.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: IvanB
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 10:55 AM

Well, I can't say I'm based there, but Elderly is about 2 miles from me. Probably should live there, though, they get enough of my money. Anyway, if something gets going on a gathering I'll sure be there if I can possibly make it.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Big Mick
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 11:00 AM

Me too, Ivan. I never go to Lansing without stopping in. I rarely leave the store without leaving some of my money with Stan and the folks. I live about an hour from the store. One of the things I love about the place is that I can play any instrument I want as long as I want. Great place!

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 11:44 AM

Elderly? Me too! Me too! Me too! If I'm in Lansing (as for the National Folk Festival the last three summers) I can be found for a few hours in Elderly.

I live in Indianapolis, which is not "upper Midwest" as I understand that term, but I'm from Rochester, Minnesota originally.

I'll be interested to see where a gathering is planned (if one is), and maybe I can get there. I know I'd love to!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Big Mick
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 11:53 AM

Dave, I am glad to know you are in Indianapolis. I get there from time to time on biz. I will look you up next time. And you be sure and let me know when you are in my neck of the woods. And let's get this Midwest gathering to happen!

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 04:09 PM

Glad to hear that you are all there. I'm certain that there are more. Given the location of Michigan in relation to the rest of us (Lake Michigan can make travel such a pain in the berzerngle)I was thinking that we might want to find a location which is accessable to all. That would put it either just on side or another of the Wisconsin/Illinois border or the Illinois/Indiana border.

I'm somewhat limited in what I can do as far aa scouting for locations. Even if I had a valid drivers license, I don't have a vehicle. I can be a clearing house for the ifno and keep things focused by e-mail, phone, snail mail, etc. Is ther anyone living between let's say Beloit, WI and Gary,In who can do some reconnaissance?

Stephen

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 04:16 PM

I have a few ideas here, but let me kick it around the block a bit first......Watch your PM's Mick.

We have a few in the St.Louis area and a few in the Chicago area as well who haven't checked in......I'm outside of Columbus, Ohio.

More later...

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Homeless
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 04:21 PM

My mom lives in Indiana about halfway between Illinios and Michigan, twenty or so minutes from 80, 90, 94, and the Indiana Dunes State Park. She's got a couple acres complete with pool and horseshoe court, and is very hospitable. (Ask Bill and Allan, she entertained them on their trip until I got there from work.) I could check, but I'm sure she'd be willing to let a bunch of us gather there for a day/weekend. Not only willing, but probably enthusiastic about it.

Having grown up in that general area, I could name a few places that we could gather if anyone would prefer a public setting.

My only constraint is that I'll be out of town from 6/22 thru 7/13.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 04:22 PM

Cool! I only said "upper midwest" because that's where I happen to be. I'm all for including the "lower","western","eastern","middle" and "the little house beside the house" midwest. The more the merrier.

Stephen

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 04:24 PM

My last post was directed at Spaw, but, Homeless, if you can pull that off -- WOW!!!

Stephen

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 04:35 PM

As I said, I gewt out to Janesville, Wisconsin(nine miles north of Beloit) a couple of times a year.. I'm not sure what you mean by "scouting for locations."

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 04:49 PM

Well, yes, I'm from the Midwest - born in Detroit, and moved at the age of ten to Racine, Wisconsin. I've been in California since I got out of the Army in 1972. I live in the Sierra foothills, but Wisconsin is still home.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 05:16 PM

Looks like a gathering is cooking! Anyone got Joel Mabus's e-mail, or Kitty Donohoe's? Maybe you could hold this gathering in the little town of Shaftsburg, just north of Lansing. Then I could train a new "Shafted in Shaftsburg" chorus.;~)

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Big Mick
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 06:49 PM

Charley, I see Kitty from time to time and, if this materializes, will make a point of letting her know about it. Joel, too. I like the idea of Chicago/Gary/up to Wisc..    Sounds to me like Homeless has the site. Let's work closely on dates, so I can work it in around gig dates. Make sure it's not the weekend of Milwaukee Irish Fest!

Spaw, I am looking for that PM.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: mmm1a
Date: 25 Apr 02 - 11:28 PM

I live in Indiana, just 20 miles south of Fort Wayne. Nice tp know there are mudcatters in this area, I was beginning to wonder.Has anyone in the Indiana area heard of a bluegrass festival in Portland, IN. I had heard of one a few years ago but don't know if they are still doing it or when it is. mmm

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Apr 02 - 06:38 AM

Looking for this?

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: campfire
Date: 27 Apr 02 - 05:27 PM

I'm from (and still in) Milwaukee, WI. Definitely interested, but like Mick said, not during Irish Fest (3rd weekend in August)

campfire

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Bearheart
Date: 27 Apr 02 - 08:14 PM

I'm in SE Ohio, but go to the Chicago area occasionally and Will Travel for Music. Chicago is an 8 hour drive. How far is Milwaukee from Chicago? Am interested in the Irish Fest-- Can some one supply more info?

Bekki

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Homeless
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 05:47 PM

So, has anyone given this any more thought? We're getting close to running out of summer.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Amos
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 06:15 PM

Someone get Catspaw on the dime there, guys!! He's got a grand spread and could put you all up for a week, if he had a mind to!! :>)

Lean on him a little bit!!!

:>P

A

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: harpgirl
Date: 04 Aug 02 - 01:50 PM

What about meeting at a state park in southern Ohio or Indiana? Labor day might work or maybe August next year...hg

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 08:03 AM

Well, I been and gone -- was in Sudsville on the Old Polluted Bathtub in June.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 10:53 AM

homeless had agood idea, but I never heard another word about it. What happened, homeless?

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: GUEST,cherylee
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 12:36 PM

Darn, forgot to sign in. Y'all could just join all of us goin' to the Wheatland Traditional Music Festival in Remus, MI the weekend of Sept. 6-8. Tickets are still on sale at their website www.wheatlandmusic.org and the music promises to cook once again this year. There's always a wonderful Cajun dance on Saturday night with a few hundred people moving as one on the dancefloor...always a great experience. There's a fair contingent of drumming for those inclined, but you'll find far more fiddling and picking workshops. Good food, art, and people. We've been going for over 20 years. We always just camp together "by the big tree in the Henry Bros. campgrounds" as all of us are tenters. They're tring to keep the RVs out of the way of the tents. Check it out ... it's a great weekend!

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 02:31 PM

The Wheatland Festival would be a good fix. I ventured out to the Lansing area for a wedding in late June but, alas, could not connect with any Mudcatters. Big Mick was the only one who responded and he's out of state most of the time. I did have a good music time revisiting with some of my old Elderly Music friends.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Big Mick
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 03:18 PM

I am up for whatever you folks want to do, as long as you work with me on the date. My schedule gets a bit nuts, I will be glad for retirement so I can quit letting this other stuff get in the way.

On a related note, whom among the 'Catters will be at the Milwaukee Irish Fest? I will be there all weekend long and would love to meet some folks.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Homeless
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 08:04 PM

Stephen - what happened was that I offered a place for it and I thought Spaw and Mick were getting together for setting a date. I knew I was going to be out of touch for three weeks, but since those three weeks are up I thought I'd see what plans had coalesced in the meantime.

It'd be difficult for me to coordinate this since I'm working 12+ hours days lately, but the house is still available for use. If someone else wants to arrange it all, I'll be there to host, but don't have the time to spare to plan it all right now. I'd be happy to supply directions, maps, etc to anyone who takes charge of it.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 09:12 PM

Homeless -- don't worry about it. None of us have had time. It's been a very busy summer for us all. The Wheatland Festival sounds like a good backup plan. Let us all descend upon said festival as a swarm of giddy, musical locusts!!! *G*

Stephen

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: John Hardly
Date: 06 Aug 02 - 12:07 AM

I'm in northern Indiana as well and would be interested in being kept abreast of any gatherings. Dying to try out my mando fiddle tunes in a jam situation! I can also jerk some tears with some sappy guitar play.

I was just up at Elderly's last week (god, the Huss & Dalton rack is killer!)

Subject: RE: BS: 'Catters From The Upper Midwest
From: Big Mick
Date: 06 Aug 02 - 01:11 AM

yep, John, it is a beaut!!

Anyone going to Milwaukee?

Mick