I just loved reading these stories from all of you. It reminds me that there is a community of folkies. I grew up in a musical family. We sang in church and around the piano. Singing was something we loved to do to entertain ourselves. I played piano and cornet during grade school. I got the bug during the folk scare when The Kingston Trio and PP&M, among others, had radio hits. It was an amazing time. I bought a plywood guitar, for $12.50, and taught myself. Since I could read music already, from my other instruments, it wasn't that hard. I still play every day, although rarely in public. I have a small collection of old guitars. Maybe we could start a tape swap amongst the Mudcatters.