Hi, it's me, Owlkat.

New catters, is it? Alrighty then...

Actually my name is Martin. I've been listening to, and playing folk stuff for most of my life, having found a ukelele my folks stashed in the cedar closet and an honest to goodness Arthur Godfrey book of songs and chords, when I was about seven. I taught myself to play and have been trying to have a life ever since. I guess I've always been a folkie, even in my Led Zep, Rolling Stones, and Guess Who years. I've never really played well with others so I never got into the band thing. Something about the look people get on their faces and the way they tend to cast nervous glances at the door when I say, "Well, that wasn't bad, buuuuut, I HAVE AN IDEA".

I was the musical director for a production of Ten Lost Years in my theatre school in my home town of Montreal, and since we needed a banjo for the show, I ordered a Stew Mac kit, built it, learned how to play it, thanks to Pete's book, and so it came to pass that I became a banjo player. And verily, there did cometh to paff a great commotion and much flailing of handf.

I've done my share of touring, recording, and gigging in Canada, the USA, and England. I've been writing for some time, and the songs are getting to be actually not half bad. I'm making the final cuts for the next album at the moment. Oh god, please let them not all show up at the used cd store all at once.

Recently I've been doing more building and repairing of stringed instruments, and being the only person in Whitehorse, in the Yukon, who does that kind of stuff, I've been getting busier. I'm even teaching myself to fix accordions. But then again, how can you tell if they're broken!!! Oh man, sometimes I just crack myself up.

I've completed three banjoes, two basses, two electric guitars, an OM 18 replica, and I'm working on an original design mandola. I plan to finish it sometime in the next millenium.

When I'm not playing music, annoying the neighbours, fixing bikes, writing plays, riding my motorsickle, acting, or wondering just what the hell I'm doing up here in the far north, I play fiddle, trombone, tuba, plectrum banjo, and dance, sing, tell very silly jokes, and wear strange clothing, in a vaudeville revue, here in Whitehorse. And yes, I get paid for doing it.

I'm 43, sorta jewish, born on the cusp of Gemini and Taurus, and just one heckuva swell guy.

I'm really glad to have found this place. I love to drop in every night before I attempt to pummel myself to sleep. It's always worth the trip. You people are crazy!!!

There.

Can I have my jello now?

Oooooh. More cool whip. MORE!! I'm still not satisfied!

Later.

Mart. ;-)