Just got back from DC. Marge and I spent the night in town because I expected the Mudcatters might keep us up late (early? 1 AM?). What a wonderful way to welcome in Spring.

Oh, where to start? First, I did shake Joe's hand and he is the real Mc Coy, flesh and blood you know!

I truly enjoyed Rick's concert. A very mellow voice and great guitar work. Rick is capable of flashy guitar work which he showed off to us, but most of his work is not flashy, just tastefully in service to the song. Rick's repertoire runs from the traditional to the contemporary (usually with traditional flavor). Nary a song I heard before, though, and I love that!

I did get to play Sandy's "back up" Larrivee to back up Rick's autoharp on one song. Mighty nice for a first guitar Sandy, much less a back up. Rick did not call "me" up on stage, he just asked for someone who could play guitar. I did give others a 1.5 second chance to beat me to it.

If we had planned ahead we might have miked the guitar and someone besides Rick and I would have heard it. If I had known it was Carter family I would have put a little Carter "scratch" into, too.

I thought about just taking the Larrivee with me when I left the stage. I figured Rick wouldn't notice another stolen guitar. I want you to know, however, Sandy, he did ask for it back right away.

Rick has built himself a moveable box for the chord bars on his autoharp. There are two sets of thumbscrews for positioning the box either up high near the tuning pegs for lap playing or low near the opposite end for that Carter family hugging stlye. They attach to some metal strips built onto the box.

In addition, the chord bars are easy to replace. I think he can put seven in at any one time. Therefore, he can change the available chords depending on what song he wants to do. Nice job, Rick. Did'cha think about a patent?

Bill D. and Joe were going about taking pictures of Mudcatters in various settings, including a family portrait of all who were there.

I brought along my Guild D-25 in hopes that some singing might break out at some point. I lent it to some of those who participated as it was the only guitar in the circle. It gave me a good chance to hear it from "the front" and I am still happy I bought it.

Most of the songs were acapella. Such diversity. Quite a few DC singers seem well versed in English and Celtic traditional music. Judy Cook, whose husband, Dennis, helped establish the Database , is a fine traditional singer who may well burst onto the national scene. She's touring Europe this summer so all you European Mudcatter's keep an eye out.

Rita (Ferrara) plays a small (10" by 12" maybe) hand held harp and did a few Irish tunes (she had had a St. Patrick's Day gig and wanted one last shot to perform them this year). Very nicely done.

LaMarca, who hasn't posted in a while, has a lovely voice. She has too much work at work to dive off into the Mudcat theres days. I was also blessed to have her sit behind me during the concert. She does wonderful, dead-on harmonies. I think she must have listened up to Rick's CD before the concert.

Charlie Baum seems to have a deep repertoire of English songs that he presents in a very traditional manner.

You already know that Joe does songs from Scout camp, but everyone seems to know them. Joe's church training clearly comes out when he sings harmonies, they blend just fine!

Bill D. is not so easily categorized. He plays his autoharp bare fingered and very gently so it is quite quiet. He sings in a homey voice and his sly humor is well featured in his song selection.

A few others whose names escape me sang songs as well. What came through with everyone was the love of singing and the love of the music. Sounds trite perhaps, but it is oh so true.

Catspaw, a special word to you. We all talked about your desire to be there and noted how said we were that your plans were destroyed. I do hope there is a next time. I would encourage you to consider Big Mick's offer to go to the Getaway. I met my first Mudcatters there. It would have been fun without them, but it was even more fun with them.

I am glad I changed my plans. 'Twas a charmed evening.

Roger in Baltimore I am so glad I changed my plans.