Well, you all have seemed to know what we're up to. It was supposed to be a surprise. In two weeks or so we will have online the Mudcat Record Collection, made up a few indy labels such as Sandy and Caroline Patton's Folk Legacy, Wally MacNow's Camsco Records, possibly UlsterSongs, so far well over a thousand records. We are also working on a Mudcat auction for all of us to trade our goods. We are also planning new t-shirts, etc.

As far as the number crunching goes, I own Onstage and do it enough there so I am quite used to and comfortable with the concept.

We have been working on this for over a month already and what is taking the most time is the logistics of shipping and regulations about tariffs and sales tax, as well as the legalities of selling. We have consulted lawyers and done the research and are getting mighty close. I was going to start a thread exactly like this as soon and we unveiled the record collection to get Mudcateers input, records, junk in the attic, handmade stuff, etc. Anyhow, The goal is the raise money while providing a valuable service. I don't want to just sell stuff, I want to provide a resource for finding things that are not available (at least easily available) elseware. I don;t know where to get a hand made guitar strap right now, so a fitting beginning to this thread. Some of the records in our collection will be previously unavailable in the US, or outside the US.

We are also going to start a Mudcat Auction. Most of us are musicians, and most of us have a dozen instruments. I am sure we will have plenty to swap.

I am being very cautious not to let any commercialism destroy what we have here. I think I got it all figured out and will listen very carefully to your opinions etc. as I always have on the Mudcat.

If we could get any kind of income, we could really enhance the Mudcat. We have so many ideas and needs for the Mudcat and just can't afford the time and money needed to do any of it. We have a great community here, and I want it to continue and grow.

The Mudcat is a non-profit Pennsylvania corporation under the name Mudcat Cafe Music Foundation. We are legit. Our non-profit status will keep us out of trouble with copyrights and taxes.

We are prepared for the masses as well. We have developed technology to prevent redundancy. Every time someone starts a thread, if the thread is like any other, the user will be prompted and shown that maybe these already existing threads already have the answer or are similar enough to be posted in rather than a new thread. We also have new systems of organization planned that will serve to ease the finding of things. Point is, I will never let the Mudcat lose it's homey feel. I promise.

We're just a couple of weeks away, so hold on to your hats. I will start a thread when we are ready to officially discuss these concepts.