Ritchie, not trying to impersonate you, just got confused pasting in name; didn't notice error till signed on this morning. If I had half a brain, I'd be dangerous...

Alasdair Fraser & Skydance are playing here in Tucson tonight & we have to "lead" some gathering & can't go hear 'em. Bummer!

Also, the whole world seems represented in this thread. Surely I'm not the only Arizona denizen to haunt these hallowed halls! Step up and say Howdy. If you're from Phoenix, my condolences...

One of my favorite songs has the chorus, "see how the land, yields up her treasures, to man's patient hands." (lyric somewhat hard on the emotions, but fun to hear litany of place names from Fresno on up since have had relatives (raisin ranchers) who spoke of all those places.)

Best spontaneous folk experience I ever had happened years ago when I was camped with my folks overlooking broad beach and calm ocean near "Rocky Point" in 'Ol Mexico. It was dusk. we were all sitting around a campfire. Two local musicos were making the rounds of the camps and finally dropped by our spot. One was blind,(any one out there remember these guys?) both sang & played very nice guitar. Well, we asked them if they'd be willing to play the quintessential Mexican love song, "Malaguena Salerosa." Maybe they were just tired of the typical tourist "Spanish Eyes" requests, or maybe they just really loved the song like most of us do, but they swelled up and burst out with the most emotional, heart-felt rendition I have ever heard. We just sat there stunned. What a moment!