Wow! I never dreamed, when I started this thread that so many people would feel compelled to share their stories. Reading them has been facinating. I think I'll print them out and keep them near the computer so I can remember who some of you are.

I realized, as I read, that I had rather abruptly ended my story. So, here is the condensed version of the "history" I spoke of.

I was living in Brazil when I got my first guitar. My guitar teacher turned out to have taught Alex Hasalof (sp?) of the Limelighters. She was totally amazed at his ability to speak so many foreign languages so well. The teacher taught me to play "by ear". She showed me how to pick up chords off of a recording.

My first "live" performance was at an eighth grade party at the American Catholic school in Rio. My best friend, Keith Behner and I performed "Red River Valley" and "Colorado Trail". What a rush!

Back to the states at the begining of the 60's, I landed in the San Francisco bay area just as the surfing craze was starting. Despite the popularity of surfing music, I continued with folk. I found that performing at parties helped to cover my otherwise obvious shyness. I could deal with large groups of people as long as my guitar was between me and them.

Moved on to Northern Virginia where I won a few talent shows in high school. Usually I had a female singing partner. I also played guitar accompanyment for a couple of winning groups.

By that time, playing the Sunday night hootnanny at the Cellar Door in Georgetown was the mark of a "true professional". This was a club where Ian and Sylvia had their own mailbox. The "ready room" was the alley outside of the kitchen door. It was great! Brings to mind a wonderful performer who was a regular there, named Randy Ohara. Yes, I think I spelled it right. He was Japanese. Sang "With What Do You Concern Yourself, Young Man?" - first time I had ever heard it.

Let me tell you that doing a big time club like that did wonders for my career. I was invited to play at birthday parties, coctail parties and even a church social!

Joined the Air Force to avoid the draft. Was stationed in Great Falls, Montana. Only had one gig the whole time - it was at some sort of lodge meeting or Lions Club or something about 60 miles out of town.

Spent the next few years (after I got out of the service) giving guitar lessons and playing for and with a few friends. Found myself booked to perform for the West Virginia State Poultry Festival. This was the last really big crowd I ever stood in front of.

A few years afterwards I played for tips in a small restaurant across the street from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. a couple of times.

I haven't "performed" but maybe once or twice in the ten years or so since then. I began to feel as if people just weren't interested in the music I had to offer anymore. The main problem was that I was tired of playing the same songs I had been playing for years and years. I lacked stimulus. Mudcat has rekindled the folkfires of my soul. I have begun to learn new songs or to play songs I had always meant to do better or even songs I had forgotten that I knew.

I still love to play and sing along with some of my old friends. Maybe I'll eventually work up to standing in front of an audience again. I think I'd like that.