An Old Timer.

I feel good about being back on Mudcat. Let me share some thoughts about my perspective on the site. First of all, I still think it's a great group, and have many good friends on here. Looking back to when I joined the group many years ago, I see a shift in the makeup of the community. My musical life has changed, as well.

Going back thirty years or more, I loved being a part of the Eisteddfod and Howard Glasser was a close personal friend. I was one of the more regularly invited performers and on one level, while I was thankful, it didn't make sense. The Eisteddfod was strongly traditional, with a heavy accent on the British Isles. I loved and did a goodly amount of traditional music and still do. As I found fulfillment in writing my own songs in, as the Patons described me, songs in the tradition, I felt less and less like I belonged at the Eisstedfod. Fortunately, Howard didn't feel that way, and the other musicians didn't seem to either. In the ten + years that I focused on traditional gospel, and expanded my writing into that area, my involvement with traditional non-gospel folk music diminished, and once again, I felt like I was on the edge of traditional folk music. To top it off, my roots are southern mountain music, and country blues. I have nothing much to offer in English, Scottish, or Irish music and even though Ive done a couple of whaling songs and English ballads (and still love them,) my music has drifted further away from the usual definition of traditional folk music.

When I joined Mudcat long ago, there was a stronger contingent of traditional American singers. Through time, Mudcat's interest seems to have gradually shifted toward traditional music of the British Isles (or Aisles) as I think of them and strengthened in maritime music. All of this is good. The music is wonderful and folks in those traditionas are keeping them alive and vigorous. I commend Mudcat for it's loyalty to traditional music.

That leaves me feeling even more on the fringe. I'm more likely to sing Riley the Furniture Man or Hungry Hash House. I was weaned on the Anthology of American Folk Music, and string band music. I also love Lonnie Donnegan and was greatly influenced by his music. I am more of a mongrel than a pure traditionalist. I'm the friendly mutt you see on the street who comes over wagging his tail, looking for a good ear scratch. I've also become much more involved in writing stories. I have embraced my story telling, but it's not traditional story telling I could ever do in a story telling workshop.

I have been very touched by the warm welcome you've given me. I applaud you all for your commitment to traditional music. I love traditional music, and jazz, and country blues, doo wop, gospel music, and standards from the forties and fifties. I hope you don';t mind if I sit in the last row of the balcony and contribute once in awhile. ?? I'm the one wagging his tail/tale as you enter the auditorium. ??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qZGPwMNRbs

Just Jerry after all these years
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YOUTUBE.COM
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