I'm almost always refreshed, delighted and invigorated by at least one thread in the bunch, when I do find time to fire up my browser and tune in here; this is another of those marvellous threads; It's really neat to read the many stories so far.

BUT - Erica: I really fell out at the mention of Cafe Lena! Not in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine it was still operating. I used to go there in the 60's.... The madness was wonderful, and sometimes a bit overwhelming back then; Back when I was too shy to sing and play on stage. Now, a couple times a year, I do it. It was also what I would nowadays call a bit too yuppie, what with that certain girls' college in town, sailors were not socially desirable for the young lovlies... too bad... I also used to go to Cafe Entre Nu, further south, near Albany. I think it has long closed. Saw my first Martin 12-string there, now I own one of that model- D-12-20. (I like my Gibson better..)

Wanted a rock guitar when young. Always a lot of music and singing in my house; never thought I'd do much of it, though. The parents didn't want the volume of an electric guitar, so my well heeled grand-dad paid for a D-28, (I'll never fully understand why give that to a kid who couldn't hold a guitar, let alone play.. family politics...) which was too big for my arms, and hard to finger.. and I didn't like the teacher. Took the money to the movies, until caught. (I was 11 or 12) Later joined the Navy, other sailors started me in folk/acoustic stuff, (wasn't called that back then) went home and got my guitar, which was perfect for my new (now life-long) interest.

The rest is history -sort of.. A tour in the Peace Corps and painfully learning to finger-pick, in spite of a chronic injury to the fingers of my dominant hand. Later the almost obligatory college folk group during undergrad school. Re-kindling an interest in celtic/british isles; somewhere -early- along the line an inordinate amount of influence (wasn't aware at the time) from Canadian performers - especially, in the early years, Ian & Sylvia, which at first I had to get accustommed to; Of course, Tom Paxton, Limelighters, KT, Joe & Eddie (Still among my absolute favorites!) The Womenfolk - the list is really endless.. The canadian influence probably got a boost when we were visiting on a Canadian Navy frigate, drinking Grog & jammin' in their quarters, and one of them said, "you sound like Gordon Lightfoot." Didn't know who he was, but I got a Lightfoot album in the Navy Exchange and only wished I could sound like him!!

I'm still very fond of Canadian performers, such as James Keelaghan -and many others, though my taste in performers is widely eclectic. Saw the Furies - back when they still had Davy Arthur, in Dublin, & since then, w/out him... Have realised that as a performer I am mesmerized by ballads - the combination of poetry and music.. and now I'm slowly evolving towards being a balladeer. I even occasionally mannage to not have too much stage fright when I'm up in front of the microphones.. miracles will never cease.. and, like the Mary Ellen Carter, we rise again.

Wow! this is too long, & it's too late at night, gotta go!!

Cheers, BK