I just received another priceless package of CDs in the mail today from Art Thieme. I say priceless because they are his own recordings of incredible people in the early 60's at house concerts in Chicago and could well be the only such recordings known and they were totally unexpected. This is not the first time I've received such "surprises" from Art and I know he's passed similar on to others. In my mind, that makes us a privileged lot.

So it is, I propose to start an Annual Mudcat Living Treasure Award and nominate Art Thieme as the first one. But, wait, there's more! For this inaugural year, only, I would nominate three others to share with him: Jean Ritchie/kytrad AND Sandy & Caroline Paton of Folk Legacy.

I know there are others who deserve this, too, but for this first time, that's my list. I intend to print up some nifty, suitable-for-framing awards and send them out post haste. It's a small thing and I would I could send oodles of cash, too, but it feels good to recognise them and say:

THANK YOU!!

Won't you all join with me in honouring the above Mudcat Living Treasures?

luvyakat