In my first few weeks of college, in the fall of 1972, one of my fellow freshman that I'd just met was familiar with Folk Legacy records, and had a few of their albums. She played these for me and some other students, and we all really liked them. Then she found out that Gordon Bok was giving a concert within driving distance, and we all piled into one of those early 70s decorated vans and went to the concert, which was in a high school. I already liked the folk music my father played (Weavers albums and such) and the 60s-70s folk I heard on the radio, like Judy Collins. But this was my first inkling that there was another whole wave of traditional and folk music out there that I hadn't previously known about. The concert in particular made a great impression on me, and I have often thought of that evening as a reference point for all my musical discoveries since.

I bought a few Folk Legacy albums while still in college, and afterwards, when I was working and had more income, a whole lot more. This was where I found my first Scottish music, which I became very interested in, and then got from there to Irish music as well.

After listening to several albums I'd bought, I started going to Irish and Scottish concerts, and eventually a local Irish music festival. While there, I picked up a brochure about some local Irish music classes, and started out taking an Irish guitar class. In that class, I found out about Irish sessions and started playing guitar there and listening to all the other instruments..

This eventually led to me taking up the fiddle, which I've now played for over ten years. Although I've learned mainly Irish music (so far) I listen to lots of things, and this has particularly led me in the last few years to a growing interest in Old Time music. (And somewhere along the way, years ago, this also kindled my interest in Quebecois music – sorry, just couldn't find another logical place here to fit this in.) I still love to go to folk concerts as well.

And even today, every now and then, when I'm at a concert or session or music class, or simply with the good friends I've made at these activities, I still remember those first few Folk Legacy albums I heard, and that concert by Gordon Bok in the Fall of '72. And I think, "This is what led me to be sitting here, at this music event, in 2007."

So, sorry for the length of this, but yes, certainly this music has changed my life.