On Ian ------ I wasn't born till 1967 so maybe I missed what bob jr says is Ian's career peak. I didn't discover him till about 1992 whenever I got into cowboy music, which really is my first and truest love, unfortunately there ain't much demand for cowboy music in Tennessee. Anyway I finally got to see Ian last year at the now-closed Caffe Milano, and he was just SPLENDID, I tell you, SPLENDID. I absolutely LOVE the songs on the Lost Herd album. So I will not take any Ian-dissing lying down. If you don't like what he's doing now, that's your business but don't go discouraging others who might really enjoy his work. And as an aside, I also love Tom Russell, who writes a lot of songs with Ian.

On Mike ----- he's an idiot. Here in Tennessee we might say he's "no 'count." Perhaps he's been knocked in the head one too many times. In that case, he needs a doctor. I have to agree, though, that he probably shouldn't be in the boxing ring anymore. The hospital is probably where he needs to be.