Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: Big Mick
Date: 15 Jul 98 - 10:08 PM

Sorry about that. I would love to do an informal gathering of Mudcatters for some pickin, grinnin, singin and whatever. I would love to see us converge on a campground somewhere, preferably in northern Illinois or Wisconsin so Art Thieme could join us, on a friday, build a big ole celtic bonfire and sing and play for a day or two and enjoy one anothers company. Obviously it would be a regional thing as Mudcatters come from everywhere. I know that it would be an undertaking, but I would be willing to make arrangements if I thought there were interest. We could even form an online committee to plot it out.

Any interest?

Mick

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: harpgirl
Date: 15 Jul 98 - 11:27 PM

How about a subcommittee at this year's Galax Fiddler's Convention. Look for my "harpgirl" on my tent and I'll host a jam on a moment's notice out of the back of my truck...or is someone already doing this? harpgirl

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From:
Date: 15 Jul 98 - 11:42 PM

Sounds like a good idea to me. Isn't there something at White Pines SP already?

jeff s

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Jul 98 - 08:28 PM

harpgirl..what dates and what kind of harp??..(mine are the 'auto' variety)...

as to meetings, it might work to schedule a time for a Mudcat gathering...let's see how many respond.. and it is also a good idea to do as harpgirl is doing and let Mudcatters know when you are gonna be somewhere..(and put up a 'welcome Mudcats' sign..it will attract attention and increase the ranks eventually...)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 16 Jul 98 - 10:28 PM

A batch of us Mudcatters found each other at the Old Songs Festival. I finally had a face (and voice and body) to associate with Animaterra, and I heard Barry Finn.

Mudcat jammin' can be worked in as a subset of whatever festival or gathering you go to. Just wear a t-shirt, or carry a laptop, or simply bring "Mudcat" up in casual conversation. Latching on to someone else's gathering is a lot less work than plotting a gathering of our own--not to mention, how can all the folks from Australia, Britain, the Northeast, the Midwest, and the Western US find a convenient, close-by, non-virtual campground?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: harpgirl
Date: 16 Jul 98 - 10:51 PM

Bill D The Galax Fiddler's Convention is Aug 4-8 in Galax Virginia and see this address for more info: http://ram.ramlink.net/~stewart/harpfest.html

yes they are autoharps but I've taken to calling them buttonharps to make the name more user friendly to strangers but don't tell the cyberpluckers....

Where is White Pines SP?...harp

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Jul 98 - 11:54 PM

harpgirl....'button harps' is maybe better than 'idiot zither' or the one I saw in the Washington Post years ago..(still have the clipping) where the reviewer referred to Bryan Bowers as the 'master of the idle harp'.. (and a lot of them cyber-pluckers wouldn't be caught dead with a plain ol' 'autoharp' any more..if it ain't an "Orthey".....)

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: Nora
Date: 17 Jul 98 - 12:10 AM

Sounds like a great idea. I'm just down the road a piece from Galax; I'll look for your tent, harpgirl, and I hope to see a few of youall there in August. And I'd love an excuse to get to Wisconsin or Australia or someplace exotic like that.

Nora

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: Sheye
Date: 17 Jul 98 - 07:06 PM

What's happenin' in California Aug 7 - 24?

Sheye

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: Tinwhistler
Date: 17 Jul 98 - 09:29 PM

I'd love to find some Mudcatters here in California to get together with. It's a great idea. I'm in!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: Zorro
Date: 17 Jul 98 - 10:49 PM

I'll bet there are enought mudcatters to support regional meetings. I for one, cannot drive to California or even more distant points east from South of Houston, but if we had regional meetings it might make it more accessible to everyone. P.S. When I say "harp" I'm usually refering to my blues harps.. We have a very active folk society in Houston. Auto Harps, guitars, five string banjos, pickin' stick, dulcimers, mandolins, even had a fiddle player, age 12 at last meeting. One of the folks made his own guitar. Great group and many travel to festivals and shows but for us to go across country to a pickin'party... well it probably won't happen, but a regional meeting is a possibility. We're in Houston.. Any other Texicans??? Email me at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: Susan of DT
Date: 18 Jul 98 - 05:30 AM

Dick and I will next be at the Champlain Valley Folk Fest in Burlington Vermont July 31, wearing mudcat teeshirts. I assume Barry Finn will be there too, since we met him there last year. Anyone else coming? We regularly get around Mid-Atlantic and New England for festivals and occassionally further.

I think we should have a regional news section with postings for sings, festivals, and possible gatherings. MAX - how about it?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: Big Mick
Date: 19 Jul 98 - 10:14 AM

Well, as usual, the ole Big Mick comes back from a road trip and finds "the catters" busy at work. I love the idea of wearing something that id's us and just meeting at various events. The Milwaukee Irish Fest might be a good event, if others are going. Hey Art Thieme, any chance? I will be there. If there is enough interest, I will see if I can make arrangements for a space. Or maybe I could speak with the hotel I am staying at and we could meet there for a little music and howdy do. How about Wheatland Music Festival? Anyone going to be there?

By the way Charlie, I agree that they would have to be Regional. I think the best idea would be to have DT/Mudcat have a place for us to post the gatherings in our areas. That way, if you were going to be in various areas for vacations or business, you could drop in and meet.

Mick

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: Susan of DT
Date: 19 Jul 98 - 11:04 AM

Big Mick et al- "I love the idea of wearing something that id's us and just meeting at various events." Us, too. How about a Tee shirt?

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: Big Mick
Date: 19 Jul 98 - 11:44 AM

Susan of DT,

I have wanted to order a shirt for some time, but last I knew you didn't have them in XXL. I really am a "Big Mick". Has this changed?

Mick

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 19 Jul 98 - 02:18 PM

Hi Susan, we won't be making Champlain Valley (sob) this year, as a family we only do a few & we traded Old Songs for Champlain, I normally don't go on my own unless I'm somehow part of the festivities, when the kids start playing for real, my wife may pick her instrument back up again & then hopefully they'll be no stopping us when the season rolls around. Have a good time. Barry

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: Barbara
Date: 19 Jul 98 - 02:19 PM

Yah, me three on the Mudcat Tshirts. When you get 'em in XXL let me know. And if I ever get breast reduction surgery, I'll let you know.
If anyone's around northwest Oregon next weekend (July 25-26), the Portland (OR) folkies will be coming out to our farm. Drop me an e ([e-mail]) and I'll get you the info.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: Sharon
Date: 20 Jul 98 - 09:49 PM

Are any Mudcatters going to be at Kentucky Music Week at Bardstown, the week of Aug 27 -? I'll be there!

Subject: RE: Mudcat Gatherin - What do you think?
From: judy
Date: 22 Jul 98 - 11:05 AM

California, me too. Sorry the Summer Solstice Festival is on haitus.

enjoy! judy