Good to hear about this from all of you. I started out 37 years ago in the Village basket houses(shortly after Bruce Murdoch, who was one of my many mentors and role models back then). I then took my act to the streets, from Central Park and other spots in NYC all the way to California, with stops in hobo jungles bars, college campuses and every other place I found myself with a guitar and a few people willing to listen. Let's say it again-IT IS NOT BEGGING! Listen to Utah Phillips on the subject(see GAFFING on his CD LOAFERS GLORY). I just went at it again last month at the Oregon Country Fair for the first time in almost 25 years. I sang for 2 hours on Saturday without repeating myself and was proud of my achievement(even made a couple of bucks from tips and CD sales. When I was in my 20's I could sing all day and be heard 4 blocks away in New York City traffic. I can't go as long now or as loud but I can still do it, and will probably do it some more.

Mark Ross