I have just been floored by the emails from Mike, from Jenny O & from Big Mick!!! I am not a major player here to any extent but rather a guy who fell in love with folk music in the 60's and never lost the joy it gave. My daughter forbade me to sing in her presence when she was 15 but has inherited the love of the genre (& her old man as long as he doesn't sing.

So my contributions are mainly tall tales & true from the
Melbourne scene in Australia, with particular references to the new & old Troubadore which ran from 1979 thru to 1990. I was content to grab a table and either appreciate people I knew & loved or to listen to the out of town guests who are increasingly appearing.

Wonderful things happened in those days - John Denver played a warm up gig the night before he opened in a rather swish venue . It was supposed to be about 25 minutes & it filled a 90 minute & still missed the end. We all just cheered & passed up the red wine!!
John took a deep breathe & remarked that he would never drink red wine & perform again.

Goanna, one of our finest folk rock groups, booked the stage at the Troubadore for an anniversary concert. Well, it happened except that the key members of "Daddy Cool" & "Skyhooks" - the two hottest bands in town - joined them on stage for the most incredible performance. There are a few bootlegs around of this - my advice is to sell mother-in-law and all female siblings to get hold of a good copy! There is no better version of "The Times They Are A Changing!

There were other great moments, Joe Dolce's Shut up yer face debuted here & went on to win the talent quest and every thing else.

Bogle, Mike McCellan & Doug Ashdown ruled the roost for several years. Rarely did they perform covers - Bogle's Lochkeeper cover and subsequent tribute to Stan Rogers 'Free In The Harbour" is one example and of course Mike McCellans Mr Bo Jangles (courtesy of Jerry Jeff Walker) qualified.

The thing I have to say tonight is that I have felt the arms of the catters closing round me and have been strengthened by that love. I was not aware that the serious members of the Cat had noticed me, yet alone cared for me and had placed a value on my small number of posts.

I cannot add to the wealth of musical exertise or technique. However, I can comment on performancce & quality of voice & that can be my contribution for the support you gave me!

Alaska Mike, Jenny O and Big Mick all have free accommodation in Melbourne. The designated room has a double bed - "I suggest you bring partners!

And finally, thank you for lifting me from a despairing moment & bringing me back to the the manageability of the one day at a time life style

Love to you all and PMs to follow

Dave





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y much younger daughter asked Doug Ashtown to sing a song that only existed in a bootleg I had grabbed. A class act - he said it was wonderful that 14 year old girls were calling for his obscure songs, and so Boot Hill continued to live.


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