Not meaning to be a fly in the ointment, but there are other folk music groups on-line, and folks from those groups do get together and meet, and many consider one another friends too.

It seems that quite a few UK cyberfolks know one another, though they have not necessarily met on-line.

I'm sure those here who feel they developed special friendships with others they met on-line, really do have those special relationships. I also believe that is pretty unique on the Internet, as well as on Mudcat.

I'm guessing most folks who have posted here over the years have never met another Mudcatter (with the exception of those on the East Coast in close proximity to one another--I'd think it strange if *none* of you had ever met in sessions, etc considering the "common interest" factor of folk music and your proximity to one another).

But then, this forum seems pretty dominated by UK & East Coast folkies, so it wouldn't really surprise me to find that they meet up with others with folk interests in their geographic regions. I'm guessing that is much less true for Southerners, Midwesterners, and Westerners.

But then, that's me.