Don. I've known Tam now for so long, it's hard to believe he's not a native Torontonian. He is flat out the finest traditional singer in Toronto. AND one of the funniest people I've ever met. He's been through a lot over the last 3 or 4 years, but seems to have weathered it. Mudcatter Michael Miland even ordered a custom Laskin guitar with Tam's "Face" inlayed in pearl on it!! Now that's immortality! If mike stops by this thread perhaps he'll explain it.

rick

Max. English songwriter (and much recorded guy) Harvey Andrews on his last visit to Toronto, seriously took me to task, for decribing myself as a nerd. "That's sooo negative Rick, you should have more confidence in yourself, lad!" I tried to explain that some of us have this weird take on life where we see "the norm" as being somewhat restrictive, and often use self-depricating terms in a kind of hip-positive way - the way two black guys would call each other "nigger", or gay folk would use the word "queer", in a positive way. Kind of taking the ammunition away from those from those who would pump epithets at us.
Poor Harvey, he just couldn't see it! I told him that I'd always loved "unpopular music", and found "weirdos" to be the most interesting friends to have, and he practically had an apoplectic fit! He has no idea why a lot of us use a bit of "code" in our speech-patterns. But it's fun, ain't it?

Rick