Allen, I'll risk getting a little ribbing here to recount something that happened a few years ago.
I was hired to play for the "Canadian Nudist Festival" near Hamilton Ontario. In a lifetime of weird and wonderful music jobs "this one", although a little unusual, was still well within the normal spectrum. (you should hear about some of the "strange" ones.) My partner at the time, Nancy, and I hung around after the gig, and soon got into the spirit by doffing our duds and going swimming with the club members. Now I should mention something that will be a given to some mudcatters, but perhaps not to others. Nudist Organizations ain't focused on sex! One "body beautiful" in a room full of clothed people will definitely get noticed, but 300 naked folks from age 3 to age 80 will definitely not remind you of anything lascivious!
Sitting in the sauna with about 12 other people, all conversing about this and that is a fascinating experience, cause none of us was wearing our UNIFORMS! I don't mean military outfits, just the fact that we are so totally identified by the way we dress.
I'm in my early 50s and wear T shirts and jeans, and often have a guitar or banjo with me. I'll never be mistaken for a captain of industry, in fact 90% of the time people know I'm a musician and gear conversation in that direction. I loved being just another naked civilian and found the other folks fascinating to talk to.
Later in the evening when people were getting ready to go home, the uniforms came back on and the casual attitude was gone. The guys in the expensive 3 piece suits with wives now all dolled up, probably don't seek out political opinions from geriatric folk-singer types - which is fine. For a while though, it was pretty egalitarian...none of our pre-conceived prejudices could take hold.
I'm not exactly sure why, but I get the same feeling here at Mudcat. I know we have a common interest in unpopular music, but it's more than that. And before someone says that maybe I'm picturing us all typing in the nude(!!??)It definitely is NOT that. (although I can imagine Catspaw blowing his possum, starkers, and it's not a pretty picture) I think it has to do with rarely focusing (and most of the time , not remembering) on what we actually DO professionally, and consequently not picturing a uniform.
Anyway I love it here. It's like going skinny-dipping!
Rick