Mudcat CD's on WFDU

Subject: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 10:36 AM

This coming Sunday, January 19, Amos Jessup will be my guest as we discuss and share samples from the new Mudcat Blue Plate Special CD samplers.

The interview will air during the 5pm Eastern Time hour of WFDU-FM's TRADITIONS, which can be heard in the NYC area over 89.1FM. You can also listen in via the internet through our website - www.wfdu.fm .

Unfortunately, one hour does not give us nearly enough time to sample all the treasures on this amazing 5 CD set.   What we have accomplished is a program that will alert our listeners to this project and hopefully bring a few new folks into the Mudcat and maybe sell a few CD's to help support this site. Amos eloquently discusses the history of the project and introduces a few selections from the CD's.

Even though we aren't able to squeeze everyone into this one hour "special", I can tell you that this CD series will be a treasured resource for my program. I have already begun including cuts into my playlist. I am astounded at the spirit and quality of the cuts. While some cuts may sound more "polished" than others, ALL the selections reflect a love for the music and sharing of the tradition. As I said to Amos, I really feel that this set could eventually be of historical importance, in a similar way that Harry Smith's anthology helped inspire a folk revival, I feel that the Mudcat CD's also reflect a continuance of the tradition and hopefully will inspire others to sing the songs.

Thanks to Amos and everyone for making these CD's possible, you have done an amazing job!

Ron Olesko
WFDU-FM

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Sorcha
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 10:51 AM

THANK YOU RON!!! What more can I say??

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Amos
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 10:52 AM

Wow!! That's a review worth circulating to the other folkways in the world! :>) Made mah day, Ron!!

A

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Winters Wages
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 01:36 PM

Love your show Ron. I listened in on tie internet.Even though the host was Bill Hahn, the show was great. It is nice to have a radio station that supports the "people" and not just polished commercial type music (if you get my drift.) We used to have that type of programing out here on the West coast but it seems to have vanished. Again thanks. I shall be listening. WW

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 01:44 PM

Thank you, Ron.

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 01:45 PM

Thanks for listening Lloyd!    Bill and I alternate weeks on the air. I started the program back in 1980 and when my kids were born I needed some time off and luckily Bill was available.

We both feel that music doesn't have to be polished and commercial, in fact that literally goes against the definition that most people have of folk music. This is music that is meant to be sung by "folks" and I think both Bill and I try to remember that when we choose songs.

You are right, radio has changed on both coasts as well as those in between. There are fewer and fewer shows like ours, but we are still out there. I urge EVERYONE to support their local public, community and/or non-commercial stations.

Sorry for my soapbox!   Thanks again for listening, and I hope many of you will tune in this Sunday to hear Mudcat on the air!

Ron

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 01:46 PM

That's wonderful, Ron, thanks for letting us know!

I still think we need to add one more so we can get people like Dick Greenhaus and Susan DT, SDShad, and a few others included. Was Joe Offer on any of these five? I can't remember. Oh, also Escamillo and Skarpi, too!

I think they could be of great historical significance, too, not just in the field of music, but also the internet. Simply amazing that ya'll pulled it off.

kat

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Amos
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 02:49 PM

Kat:

I'm sorry to say that none of those you mention sent in any candidate material. I will make a point of tracking them down and squeezing them until music pops out if and when a Disk VI project is planned. I think if you review the threads during the submissions phase of the project you will see that this occurred despite more caterwauling and demanding and PRing and yip-yipping and calling for submissions than it takes to move a herd the length of the Chisholm Trail.:>)

But perhaps they were waiting for the precedent, eh?

A

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 03:39 PM

In the case of some it seems they were up to their necks in other stuff and just couldn't get to it or chose not to for other reasons. Max is another one who is not on there. I know it wasn't due to any lack of getting after them. Also, you've already done so much, I had thought maybe someone else could take it on, esp. if it wasn't such a rush.

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: MMario
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 03:50 PM

you were herding "cats" after all!

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: khandu
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 06:38 PM

Marvelous!! Thank you, Ron, and thank you, Amos! My ears shall be attuned!

khandu

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Tweed
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 07:58 PM

WFDU is goin' on my World's Finest List. Can't wait to hear the interview! This surely must be a sort of history in the making.

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Amos
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 08:09 PM

Kat:

Sure -- that would be swell, too!


A

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 10:25 PM

World's Finest?? I better go back and edit out all my mistakes!! :)

Thanks to all of you for your enthusiastic response!   I just finished listening to the interview and Amos did a great job talking about the project. I just wish we had more time to play all the cuts! I guess in the weeks to come we will!

Ron

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 10:34 PM

Would this apocryphal sixth CD be Lemon?

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Janie
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 10:37 PM

WWWWOWWWW!

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: khandu
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 10:41 PM

Ron,
Better check out those on Tweed's "World Finest" List before you get too excited. The boy is somewhat weird and a bit strange. But, if you have listened to "Mudcat Wimmin" on the CD, you already know that!

khandu

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Amos
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 10:44 PM

I was thinking more along the lines of Kumquat, or Avocado, or perhaps Parsley? :>)

A

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Tweed
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 11:21 PM

Don't listen to nothing Khandu sez, az he's mad az a March Hare and also is from Mississippi and ....well I don't need to say anymore.

Yerz,
Tweed
PS. Why in the world would we want to let Amos get outta doin' all that work and abuse? He did the first five, I'd think he oughta finish out the rest of this collection of musical misfits! You won't find a more energetic PR man anywhere!

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Jan 03 - 12:09 AM

I just thought to spread it around a bit, Tweedster, after all that he did do; didn't say anything about letting him outta the PR thing, though.

Dick, for the record, I've been lobbying for "Tangerine." :-)

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 14 Jan 03 - 09:48 AM

I think the next CD should be Impatiens - sounds like everyone can't wait for it!

Ouch!

Ron

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: treewind
Date: 14 Jan 03 - 10:00 AM

At least "Parsley" makes the choice of the next three obvious...

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Tweed
Date: 14 Jan 03 - 10:14 AM

Dere Mr.Olesko,
Me an' the Bobert iz on thet Plum cd an' don't keer much ef you play ar stuff on the Sunday show, but we hav put ar minds togevver an' come up wif an ideer thet may bee of sum interess to you. We ar prepeared to offur you an' yore fambly a all ekspensed paid vacashon an' toor package in beautimus Wildcat Holler, WestVirginia. You will be wined an' dined by yore hosts Rufus and his 450 pound wife at thar comodious guest trailer an' enjoy watchin' thar cable TV and hav full acksess to any of the four Nintendo game paks. Also included wud be a tour of the menny local distillerys an lively converstashun wif the operators there.
What's the catch you may axe? All this AND $25 dollarz mad munny for just one 24 hour Bobert/Tweedzer-a-thon, wherin all thet WFDU playz fer a day an'nite is me and Boberdz mos' peculiar musick. I think this sorta thing wirked perty good some yearz back but them DJ's wuz careless an' let the cat outta the bag somehow an' got therselfs caught. Pleze use the PM sistum to make yore reply (az I am doin'here...don't want nobobby's to git wind of this scheme az it cud go hard on us ef the pedant's in har new what we hav cooked up.)

Yerz truly,
Tweedzr and Boberdz

PS. Remember use thet PM thang. Mum's the word!

PPSS.Here's whar you'll be enjoying yore stay. I know, I know...it's an offer you cain't hardly refuse;~) *Deluxe Accomodations*

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 14 Jan 03 - 10:18 AM

What, or rather who is in the oil drum in the picture?

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Amos
Date: 14 Jan 03 - 10:20 AM

LOL, you rednecked bohunks!!

A

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Tweed
Date: 14 Jan 03 - 10:21 AM

Dere Mr.Offer,
The danged PM machine iz messed up someway. Disregard enny of that nonsense above. Boberdz, we is in the fan now...sorry buddy, it waz worth a try.
Yerz,
Tweed

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 14 Jan 03 - 02:37 PM

Maybe future volumes could be organized by state flowers! Imagine a 50 volume set of the U.S., then we can have countless CD's from around the world with flowers native to the region.   Think of the possiblities! Think of the work!! Are you up for it Amos?

I can also program my show for years to come!!!

Ron

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Amos
Date: 14 Jan 03 - 05:12 PM

What a vision!! I love it!!

Here's what we do Ron -- in your copious spare time, you start working the MacArthur Foundation until we get the funding we need to really do this right. I am not about to sully such a vision by proposing that anything less than full-time dedicated focus would do it justice. I wouldn't dream of doing it the disservice! And, well, there are these college bills and mortgage statements that people keep sending me when I would much prefer to be able to focus all my attention on fulfilling the potential of your compelling strategy! So we have a few preliminary targets that need to be met if we are to ensure success!

Do let me know what the MacArthur people say!! I am ready to pack.

Regards,

A

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Margaret V
Date: 14 Jan 03 - 08:29 PM

Amos, the MacArthur folks called me today and said to tell you everything's all set, go ahead and begin work. The check's in the mail.
Margaret

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 14 Jan 03 - 09:07 PM

Good one Margaret!!!   :)

I only wish there were a foundation that supports folk music as it does other genres. Coca-Cola is giving Lincoln Center several million dollars to build a concert hall for jazz.

Where are the large patrons for folk music? Why is it always dependent on grass roots and individuals to support?   Hmmm. Maybe it isn't such a bad relationship after all!

Ron

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Mudlark
Date: 14 Jan 03 - 09:30 PM

Wish I could hear this program...my Mac is so dodgy I'm afraid to download anything on it for fear of losing the whole shebang. But I can't imagine a better spokesperson for your show, Ron, than Amos. The man is a downright inspiration...

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Amos
Date: 14 Jan 03 - 09:53 PM

Margaret,

Having head you sing, and having realized you have a sense of humor to match, I am oved to ask if you are doing anything important next lifetime!! :>)

Ron, if you wrote to the MacArthurs, you know, you could make an argument about the vital ingredient our grass roots music provides to the culture, enabling poeple to know their history in ways they never could otherwise, and thus become a wiser and better informed citizenry. I'll bet you a dollar George W never heard a folk song in his life. Probably elected by a buncha raplovers. Anyway, nothing ventured, nothing gained. I don't come cheap but it'd be less than Pavarotti for a year, I am sure! :>)

(Nancy, you know I melt when you talk like that!! :>) Thank you!). Your Mac could handle the streaming audio, I think.

A

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Genie
Date: 14 Jan 03 - 11:24 PM

Well, I've never tried to listen to net radio broadcasts, unless you count listening to Prairie Home Companion's archives. But I'll sure try to tune in next Sunday and hear ol' Amos and the CD sample cuts. Having bought and listened to all ca. 110 songs, though, I'd hate to have the job of picking a few for broadcast. There are so many gems.

As for the next CD color, my vote is for Cumquat!

Genie

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Tweed
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 12:16 AM

Deer Mr. Olesko,
Thet drum in the brochur pitcher wuz lef thar in boberdz keer by sum swarthy gents from Nyew Jersey some years ago. We have not been able to tell whut's in it just yet. Thought it might be coal erl but it don't burn so gud and smells powerful bad. Not to worry tho, az it will be covered with a shower curtain and cud serve az a buffet table fer the big barbecue that's bein' planned fer yore West Ginny adventchur. Az an added sweetner to this deal I'm prepared to offer you a hand built scale model railroad bridge built entirely from 3/32" balsa wood sticks an' capable of supportin' at least twice it's own waite!

Pleze let us know sumwhat in advance of yore disision so we kin kill the fatted calf, or mebbe even a couple of Boberdz possums that he haz caged out in the school bus. He wuz raisin' them things for thar fur but we found out hit was not too PC to do that these days so now they are for eatin' only.

Yerz,
Tweedzrdz

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 09:28 AM

Refresh: we need to keep this thread current until Sunday:

Nigel

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: khandu
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 09:39 AM

Ever since I was a young boy, I have tooted the horn for Badly Recorded Blues. Fo rmany a year, I have been the lone voice that spoke out to the multitudes of the wonders of Tweed's BRB. I have suffered indignity and dishonor at the hands of thos who had no musical taste, who laughed in my faceat my mention of Tweeds BRB.

My land was taken from me, my house, my car, my kids, my wife...all gone. My face was put up on billboards with large letters written across it-THIS MAN IS A NUT!. The Governor of Mississippi derided me in his annual State of the State message.

But I remained firm in my message, adamant in my stance. I did not falter, I did not fail. I continued to tout Tweed's BRB.

To this day, I have remained a lonely voice crying in the wilderness "Hear, oh people, Hear the Badly Recorded Blues of Tweed!"

Now, I read Tweed's bribery above. I am bereft, undone.

He did not mention that I, khandu, was also on Plum, nor did he include my name in the bribery.

Yet, I will continue my mission. I remain faithful and loyal. I will tell everyone about the low-down dirty dogfaced self-serving swine-snouted, back-stabbing, egg-sucking, riff-theiving weasel Tweed and his BADLY RECORDED BLUES.

khandu

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Amos
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 09:48 AM

Awwww khandu!! Everyone knows you have two of th finest cuts on the Mudcat CDs!!! Cheer up -- ol' Tweed just got carried away because of Bobert's influence, y'see? The prospect of a possum barbecue just brung it out in him.

A

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Tweed
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 11:45 AM

Dere Mr.Olesko,
It aperes thet some feelings haz been trampled upon and I wuld like fer you to pleze add the King of Missississi to tha 24 hour airplya in cwestyun. He iz mos adept also at hiz singin an plyain an woud be a perdy good addition to yore show inspite of hiz inbred propensity to whine and kick his feet when he don get hiz way.

Of corse this fly in th udder balm woud not go unrewarded and we hav contacted them fellers from New Jersey who hav assured us they can convince Amos to do all 50 state flower CD's for you an not to worry about no grants or enny of that paperwork nonsense. They sed that after a cupple phone calls Amos wud be callin' beggin' fer the additional work. Also they sed it would be no problem to have sum of thar buddies stand around yore station's door in case sum folks try to storm the place. They are reel nice guys and seemed anshus to do you this "favor" fer some reason.

I reckon we'll need to change the telethon name to sumthin to reflek the new member or pore khenneth will raize holy hell about that too. What with him bein' royalty an all I assumed he had other meanz of promotin hizzelf but I see now that hiz deals must have fallen throuh after his cousin/uncle/brother-in-law/niece stepped down from bein' king of senators. I will leave the renaming of this gala event in Khandu's capable hans az he is good at that sort of thing and will have to abide wif whatever he chooses and it will spare us enny more of his danged hissy fits.

I am finding out how difficult theze creative people iz to deal wif and commend you on stayin with the biz this long.

Yerz,
Tweedzdrs

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 12:11 PM

It looks like we are seeing both sides of the Tweed!

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 01:12 PM

Ron,This is a grass roots music. where else would support come from?

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Amos
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 01:25 PM

ROTFLMAO. Boy, them Southrons shure do carry on when they gets their grits in a knot. Dang. You boyz need to learn a leedle of thet Northern RE-straint, is whut. Lookit ole Ron fer example. He NEVER kicks his feet nor holes his breath. He stays as nice and cheerful as mah Aunt Dahlia's dustcovers, the ones with the flars on'em, whut she got special from K-Mart? You guys shud larn to be more like thet thar.

A

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 01:26 PM

As we were saying above Stephen, from corporations and foundations.

We like to refer to ourselves as "grass roots", but realistically most art enterprises are "grass roots". The Coca Cola's of the world will give money to groups whose profile is just as high, but they tend to avoid anything labeled "folk".   I realize this is a very generic statement and there are probably exceptions, but whenever you see a "folk" festival the sponsor's tend to be a Ben & Jerry's or a Land's End. These are good companies, but they are not the Fortune 500. Also, the larger endowment grants "seem" to be given to fund jazz or dance programs.

Perhaps it is just better organization on the part of these other groups. I don't think I will ever see the day where GE sponsors the Newport Folk Festival. Then again, I doubt our audience would want to support a GE Folk Festival!

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: MMario
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 01:33 PM

So - what about asking for a grant to preserve "Ethnic Heritage Music"?

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Amos
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 01:33 PM

Hell, no...it's electric! :>)

A

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Genie
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 02:17 PM

Ron, I think the mega corporations are loate to fund "folk" music because we folkies have a reputation for being non-materialistic, even anti-materialistic (read "cheap").

Folk music's reputation for being "anti-establishment" doesn't endear folkies to "the establishment."

That said, NW Folklife Festival in Seattle manages to draw corporate sponsors for various sound stages (much to the chagrin of many performances and visitors who see the big corporate logo above the stage as a sellout).

Genie

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Bobert
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 02:26 PM

Well, danged, Tweezer! Now look what you've gone an' did? First of all, ya' stix a pichure of the Tweedsburg WMD in der barrel and now yer gonna get ol' Rufus and Rether Mayz butts blowed half way up! Well, tell der Bushman hez gonna need one dem extree strneth bombs fir der Rether Mayz. And 'tween you an' me, I thinkz der ol' gal be closer ta 5 hundurt pondz den the 450 on her drivin' paperz.

An secon, ya' got poor ol' khanny with his tummee all twistercated from wahdever yo said 'bout hem er din't say 'bout hem 'an Iz feelz jus terrible about dat since khanny ain't haff bad feller an' all.

An thirdlee, I thought we'z was gonna play at haff tiem at der Stupor Bow and Iz din't get no contrax en der mail or no tickex or nuthin'.

An forthlee, I don evin want mah song on no raydeeo 'cause it din't come out no good on der CeeDee...

An' fiftilee, I ain't cookin' up no homegrowed possum fir deese folks 'cause, well, I'z down to two an' der P-Vine says dat it takes two to make mo possums and well the ol' gal purdy danged smart 'bout them farmy typz thengs... Plus, deese two is like famblee. Day eat wid the catz and so I callz one of dem Kibbles and der udder one Bits likez on der cat foood bag and well, I guess youz gonna find out anyway, well... wez been lettin' sleepz in der bed wid us since day got potty traned and all. But, now sinz you done promixed these fine fokz possum Iz been keepin' my good eye out fir 'em on the der side of der road but all I'z got right now in der freezer is a skunk, two groun hogs and a kioteee dat some 'en runned over...

An' lasslee, Tweezer. I tought we had a deal 'bout not doin' no more permotins 'til ol' Rufus had gotten over dat little little bout of boilz dat gotz on der boy. Man, dem things ooooze did yellerish green goo all day and all nitez. Nastee. An I keep tellin' der boy dat don't do no good lickin' 'em... No good...

Well, dats et from Possum Holler, Wse Ginny.

Bobertz

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 02:35 PM

Genie, Mmario & others,

I didn't mean to draw this conversation off on a tangent with my personal observation about funding.    As I jokingly said in my initial comment, I don't think we want to be "beholding" to large corps.    The corporations that you see sponsoring "folk" events tend to be the Ben & Jerry's, Land's End and other companies that supposedly have a moral approach to business.   These are not Fortune 500 companies.   I may be wrong, but I don't think Microsoft is sponsoring NW Folklife. Coca Cola is building a jazz concert hall for Lincoln Center mainly so that there logo will be scene by the faces that attend the event. Corporations and endowments tend to support the high profile projects.

Personally, I prefer the grassroots support. On a personal note, I have a responsibility to the listeners who donate $ to support my radio station.   I would rather be answerable to my listeners as opposed to Burger King.

Ron

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 02:47 PM

I missed out too. I sure would like to be on the next one. I guess a prerequisite is to have a cd of your own made already?
I will try to listen in though, maybe. I have a set coming, but they ran out so I have been waiting patiently and maybe I will wait to hear the whole thing when it comes. What ever I do I can't wait to hear it!
Peace, Rustic

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Amos
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 02:58 PM

RR:

No such prerequisite. The candidates were sent in on home-made tapes, MiniDiscs, .mp3 files by e-mail, home-made CDs as well as commercial CDs. Only thing I drew the line at was singing to me over the phone, just on account of the sound quality, and wax cylinders on account I can't find that old Edison player I thought I had balanced up among the garage ceiling beams.    :>)

A

Subject: RE: Mudcat CD's on WFDU
From: Amos
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 05:11 PM

ALl joking aside, I hope you'll pass the word about Ron's show around the folkways of the world. The more exposure it gets, the more orders Dick gets. And we all want to flood Dick, don't we???!!! :>)

A