In summary,

Audio:
It sounds like Ebbie, Ferrara, and Big Mick have some audio recordings on MiniDiscs. I'm pretty sure that Charlie Noble recorded some sessions too. Did Bobert have one of those little gizmos? Haven't heard back from Dennis yet.

Here are some possibilities for sharing the audio recordings.

1. Compile a list of who has what and let it go at that. This would be easy but puts a lot of burden on those that has.

2. Find a central website or repository that has the space and bandwidth to act as a host for mp3's of the audio recordings. Let people upload their recordings to folders within the repository. People that want the audio files could then download what they want. This is a pretty good option if we can find a repository (FSGW, Mudcat, or ???). It's self organizing once its set up and low maintenance. Also, no one has to lay out $ in advance.

3. Similar to #2, but have everyone send their recordings to one or more editors/moderators. They would pick the best single recording of each session or performance and post it to the site. A little more work for some, but would result in the lowest storage requirements (no duplicates) and best audio quality (un-mixed).

4. Have everyone send their recordings to one or more editors/moderators as in #2. The editors would then spend some time cleaning up the files (equalizing, noise reduction etc.) and creating a set of Master CD's. Create one or more distribution vines where the Master's are sent to person 1 on the list, they burn what they want and send them to person 2, and so on. Where they are is tracked by posts to a thread. We did this in the NoveltyMusic Yahoo Group for a set of GOON Show recordings and it worked great. A little more work for the editors but still low cost. Not everyone gets the recordings at the same time.

5. Same as #4 but centralize copying/distribution of the CD's or a "best of" CD. This is A LOT OF WORK for the editors and includes some initial outlay/risk unless pre-orders are taken and no extra CD's are made. Costs only could be covered, or prices set to make some $ for Mudcat.

I personally think option 3 (if we can set up a site that meets the storage and bandwidth needs), or option 4 are the best. I would be glad to investigate hosting options and help in selecting or editing some of the files to inlcude. I don't myself have the time for option #5 or the desire to deal with orders, payments, complaints, etc.

VIDEO:

The options are similar for the video recordings but creating one or two DVDs with edited footage may be more feasible (there is probably less video footage to go through, edit, etc.). I know Tinker took orders and made copies of her videos of the 2003 Getaway. Tinker, how much time/trouble did this take?

InOBU, CarolC/JTS, and Tinker all have some video. They should probably be the ones to decide how they want to edit/copy/distribute them.

JAB