Bruce Murdoch podcast

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 10:44 AM

Hi Kids: Just finished listening to Bruce Murdoch on Gerry Goodfriends' Folk Directions/CKUT radio in Montreal...

Another fine job guys...

bob

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Amos
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 10:47 AM

Is there a web-based recording where I can download this show?

A

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Emma B
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 10:47 AM

Any chance of a link to that please Bob

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Amos
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 11:26 AM

IF you choose the show on this calendar list you can get an option to download the show.


A

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Amos
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 11:53 AM

Or try this link:


http://secure.ckut.ca/cgi-bin/ckut-grid.pl?action=showaudio&show=thursday,09:00

A

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Azizi
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 12:07 PM

Another fine job guys...
-Bob Ryszkiewicz

I suppose us gals are included in that information about how Bruce did in that radio segment.

I'd love to know which songs Bruce sung...

Besides, I'm feeling down because not only can't I get that radio show but I can't transport myself-via a Star Trek transporter platform-to Sala Rosa in Montreal for Bruce's concert.

I suppose in time that kind of invention will be standard operating procedure. Too bad there's nothing like that now.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Beer
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 12:24 PM

That is a shame Azizi.
Was hoping you would be able to join us just before the show.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 12:40 PM

Azizi: By "guys", I was referring to Gerry & Bruce. But the knight in me has the deepest respect for all the damsels out there, and in my world, you are most welcome and by no means forgotten...
Or, as Reverend Gary Davis once told me, "All women are beautiful..."

bob

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Amos
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 12:50 PM

Ain't that the truth!!!


;>)



A

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Azizi
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 12:52 PM

Duh. Bob, after reading your last post, I don't see how I didn't figure out that interpretation of your "Now job guys." sentence.

As to "all women are beautiful", well, they say that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. And as far as I'm concerned, all the women and men who love good music are beautiful people.

**

Beer, perhaps another time. Since I'm in a folk saying mode today, here's another one-"where there's life, there's hope".

:)

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: maeve
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 12:58 PM

Bob said,

"Hi Kids: Just finished listening to Bruce Murdoch on Gerry Goodfriends' Folk Directions/CKUT radio in Montreal...Another fine job guys..."

Nothing offensive there at all, yet such gallant replies! Like Ms Azizi, I'm sorry to miss that concert. I'm glad the radio broadcast went well.

maeve

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Amos
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 01:01 PM

I am sending the whole show to me home email address, ewith the intent of making a CD of it.


A

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Alonzo M. Zilch (inactive)
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 03:31 PM

If a fool be me, I'm a fool like he

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Beer
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 04:45 PM

Azizi here are the songs Bruce did this morning.


BRUCE MURDOCH – Last Man Standing
Live, in studio
BRUCE MURDOCH – That's the Way It Is
Live, in studio
BRUCE MURDOCH – I Can See You Now
Live, in studio
BRUCE MURDOCH- Fool Like Me
Bruce Murdoch (Radio Canada International)

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Emma B
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 04:46 PM

Thanks for the technical help folks - great programme Bruce, wish I could be there for the concert.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: C. Ham
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 07:25 PM

It's always a treat to hear Bruce's songs and I was particularly impressed with "I Can See You Now." But Jerry seemed very awkward as an interviewer: not knowing what to ask, going on about another Bruce he used to know, stopping Bruce in the middle of an answer to say he should sing now. It was like he wasn't really prepared.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: bobad
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 07:54 PM

For Facebook members: the concert on events page

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Azizi
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 08:53 PM

Thanks, Beer, for the list.

I look forward to hearing the radio segment soon.

Enjoy the concert, guys and gals!

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Beer
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 09:17 PM

Ham,
How about introducing yourself tomorrow evening. Would be great to meet you. Should be fun meeting up with old friends.
Adrien

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Amos
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 10:06 PM

If there is anyway for an MP3 file of the concert to be created (or any other format, for that matter) and put up, I would be grateful.


A

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Beer
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 11:41 PM

Amos,
I'm taking a Panasonic RR-US430 with me. I have no idea what that means but i will try and record something. Wish me luck because i will need it as i am not very good on this high tech stuff. If it works out than I will send you something. I hope.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Amos
Date: 04 Jan 08 - 12:15 AM

Thanks, Beer!! I can get the file cleaned up and posted if it is okay to do so.


A

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Azizi
Date: 04 Jan 08 - 07:02 AM

Here's my 2 cents:

With regard to posting a Mp3 file of Bruce's Sala Rosa concert, with Bruce's prior approval, what friends share among themselves is one thing.

Hint. Hint.

But I'm thinking of Bob Ryszkiewicz's posts on this thread, and it seems to me that posting a file of any of Bruce's songs on a public forum for free is a whole different story.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Beer
Date: 04 Jan 08 - 08:34 AM

Understand all of what you are saying and I intend on asking Bruce, Ron and Noah before I do anything.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: bankley
Date: 04 Jan 08 - 09:42 AM

Personally, I feel that the event ought to be recorded. What happens to it later is another story. There might be a couple of really solid segments that could be used for Bruce's new CD. Mixed in with the recent studio recordings. That's best case scenario. Otherwise there'll be a nice souvenir of the occasion. First of all, get it down and decide later. Thanks Beer for taking the time to try this. Just keep the bubbly out of the faders!

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Amos
Date: 04 Jan 08 - 10:29 AM

The RR-US430 is a voice recorder, meant for lectures and business meetings and such. However, if it is all you can get, by all means use it. Set it for SP rather than LP; it will still capture the whole concert and do so with better fidelity than the LP setting.

From what I have read about it the computer interface is by USB and there is some supplied software to make text from voice recordings -- not much of a feature for our purposes. I belileve you will probably have to play the contents into the computer serially, using sound recording software such as Audacity or Sound Studio or the like. You will probably find it easier to do this in segments of songs and talk.

If it turns out the software allows file management (in other words you can bring the whole session over as a sound file instead of having to replay it serially) then you'll probably end up with an MP3, AIFF, WAV or similar file. If you email me that file I can clean it up some.

IF you can find a more suitable field recorder with USB connections and a built-in hard drive or flash drive that enables you to manage files and is better designed for music audio, I would recommend that as it will capture more of the overtones and very low and very high frequencies the RR-US430 might not.

A

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: bankley
Date: 04 Jan 08 - 11:13 AM

Thanx Amos.... I'll bring a Sony 'mini-disc' recorder, try to get a feed from the board.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 04 Jan 08 - 11:45 AM

Hi Kids!: I'm thinking of Bob Ryszkiewicz's posts...HEY, WAIT A MINUTE!!!. I'M Bob Ryszkiewicz! And I and I's take on this goes something like this...In fact, it goes EXACTLY like this. #1 ASK Bruce & Noah if it's O.K. #2 THIMK! (Just trying to make you laugh). All I can do to help, even though nobody asked me to, is to relate my personal experiences on the web which have been eye opening. My contacts literally go around the world, China, India, Sao Paulo, Brazil, places I can't pronounce...(sort of like you guys with my name. No, not Bob. The other one).
Once an mp3 is out there, it's OUT there. Two days ago, I got an email from a radio station asking me to be sure to "tune in" as "my segment" was going to be aired on Wednesday between 3-5p.m. Duh. What segment? Chat? Huh?! So permission is always nice.
And all of this is under the control of Mr. Bruce. How far does HE want to take it? Is there a plan? Are you doing a "Folk" album, or something more like Gordon Lightfoot, or James Blunt? Marketing? Tours? T-shirts? Does he want to keep it to CD's, or use Digital Distribution? I, like Ron Bankley, think that the show should be recorded. Hendrix did that. Sammy Davis Jr. did that with photography, and both left a legacy for fans around the world to enjoy. But if "wishes were horses, then men might ride..."
And yeah, I've got one of those super-tekkie digital recorders about the size of a large cigarette lighter, line out, direct to computer, mp3/CD, the world...But I think it would be cool to ask permission first. Keep it to personal use. Then everybody's happy.
I think all of us are hoping that Bruce hits a home run with this, and that he gets the recognition he deserves.
Looking forward to the show...bob

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Beer
Date: 04 Jan 08 - 12:52 PM

Just back from a drive and was listening to C/.B.C. Radio noon on 88.5 f.m.
What a truly great interview with Bruce. Hope someone else heard it. I was really cheesed off as I would have recorded it. C. Ham, I hope you got to listen. It would have made up for the past interview.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Brendy
Date: 04 Jan 08 - 12:57 PM

Well said, Bob.

Break a leg Bruce. ;-)

B.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Alonzo M. Zilch (inactive)
Date: 04 Jan 08 - 01:38 PM

C. Ham said he was taking the 9:30 train from Toronto, so I doubt he would have heard the CBC interview.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Emma B
Date: 04 Jan 08 - 04:08 PM

I'll be there in spirit (sounds the warmest way!)

Hope you'll have some spirits there Bob! - thanks for the PM

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Beer
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 12:57 AM

Just walked in the house.
Great great show.
Goodnight.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Brendy
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 08:18 AM

Excellent news. I await further reports with baited breath.

B.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Amos
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 10:53 AM

BRendy --

Stay off them anchovies, pal (or did you mean "bated"?).

I too want very much to hear this show and hope somehow a recording of it will be available.

I have a CD almost finished of the CKUT show (actually one for the January 08 Goodfriend show and one of the earlier Regenstrieff show with Bruce).





A

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Brendy
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 11:31 AM

Thank you Amos, I am indeed indited.

I have the show he did with Mike, and I followed the links that were provided for Gerry's show, so, so far I'm all up to date. But it's good to know that the archive is being kept.

I hope there is a recording of the gig too.
... a separate thread might be an idea, as well...

B.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Beer
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 02:03 PM

O.K. a little more on the evening.
M/C was Mike Regenstreif and he did a superb job.
Noah opened the show and after about 5 numbers there was a 10 minute break than Bruce came on with Noah and a young fellow on bass but his name escapes me. They then played an excellent set. Again a break than back on stage for the remainder of the evening was Bruce and Ron Bankley. Lots of great music and fun stories by Ron Bankley's excellent guitar work made the songs that much more powerful. Bruce did not disappoint his audience as he did reflect back and played a couple of his earlier numbers. Let's Lay Down Our Drums and Can I Come Across to You. Ron Bankley than surprised Bruce with a song written by Bruce. "Don't You Take Away My Heart". Ron did an amazing slightly changed rendition to the applause of a full house.

Mudcat was well represented. We had
Mike Regenstreif
Bobad
Bob Ryszkiewiez
Beer
Rehab
Noah Zachrin
Ron Bankley
Bruce Murdoch

There may have been others.

Amos, I am listening to the show now on my RR-US430 and will see if I can figure how to download or transfer the file. To my knowledge it was also recorded by the sound technical so we will be hearing more in the next little while.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: bobad
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 02:30 PM

It was a marvellous evening all around, Bruce was in fine form and had the audience eating out of his hand. He sang a number of new songs and mixed in a couple of his earlier ones; Can I Come Across To You and Let's Lay Down Our Drums, along with a beautiful rendition of the traditional Wild Mountain Thyme and closed with a moving version of Dino Valenti's 60's anthem to peace and love, Let's Get Together, that had the audience singing along and brought tears to my wife's eyes. Noah Zacharin started the concert splendidly with a few of his own tunes and accompanied Bruce very nicely in his first set. Ron Bankley displayed his magnificent virtuosity on guitar as he accompanied the second set and showcased his talents as a writer/singer/arranger by performing Bruce's song Morning Papers which he reworked into a bluesy, Tom Waits-ian style.

Bruce's story telling and banter combined with that particular Murdochian sense of humour had the audience enthralled all evening and almost reverential while he was singing culminating with a well deserved standing ovation. There was a palpable air of anticipation and sense of homecoming as many in the audience hadn't seen him perform for over 35 years.

A number of us including Beer (Adrien), Bob Ryszkiewicz, Ron Bankley and others enjoyed a pre-concert repast replete with tapas and paella and conviviality which, combined with the fine entertainment, made for a magical, memorable, Montreal soirée.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: GUEST,C. Ham in Montreal
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 02:34 PM

I was there too and it was a night that melted away the years. With Mike Regenstreif as the MC (Beer was right, Mike was a superb MC), with so many old familiar folkies in the audience, and hearing Bruce sing so his wonderful songs with such heart, and tell his stories and jokes, it was like being back at the Golem in the 70's.

Bruce mostly sang his new songs and they were great. And it was also a special treat to hear him do a couple of his oldies, not too mention "Wild Mountain Thyme" and "Get Together" as singalongs.

I was impressed with Noah Zacharin. It was my first time seeing him perform and his songs were good and his guitar playing was most impressive.

The bass player with Bruce was Shane Grynn. The photographer upfront was his dad, Andy Grynn, a folk music fan from the old days. The song song that Ron Bankley sang was called "Morning Paper."

To add to Beer's list, there were were several other Montreal folk personalities there including Bill Garrett, Sue Lothrop and Linda Morrison.

I said hello to Bruce but there were too many people that wanted to talk to him so I didn't bring up my Mudcat name.

I come to Montreal about once a month anyway to visit my mother, but it was well worth timing this trip to Bruce's concert.

One more thing. Bruce mentioned Gary Eisenkraft who got the folk club thing going in Montreal in the '60's. It was carried on by Mike Regenstreif in the '70's and '80's and their traditions are being maintained by Matt and Rebecca Large who have been doing such a fine job presenting folk music concerts in Montreal over the past few years.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Amos
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 04:35 PM

Thanks, Adrien!! One path I have tried successfully -- if you think the sound quality is passable in the original -- is to hook the device up to the USB port of your computer, start a sound-recording software package like Audacity running, and play the whole recording into a BIG sound file which you can then either subdivide by cuts or send me for editing here.

Note it will be a large file, make sure you have enough room on the target volume for it.

If you take this approach, you may have to adjust your Sound settings so the system knows that the USB connection is the input channel, rather than the little sound-in port often included in basic computers.

If the sound tech on site is willing he could provide a decent file from his equipment. I'd be happy to bur it if that would be helpful.

A

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: bankley
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 04:38 PM

thanks folks...' I didn't now that 'Morning Papers' was what that song is called. Makes sense. Caught Murdoch almost with his pants down, which isn't sayin' much, what with all the fine looking women in the place...... The show was recorded on ADAT from the board. So what you hear is what happened, from Sylvain (the sound tech's point of 'view'.

As I said to the Man, it's important to document as much as possible,( aurally, visually ... gee, did I leave any seneses out ?) then assess, weigh and decide what to use, make accessible for sharing, sale, barter, or otherwise. Keep your kind words and encouragement aimed at B.M. It makes a big difference, always has, always will. Stay tuned.... more later... merci Mudcatters.... R.

.... and Bob, next time we play........ R.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: bankley
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 05:04 PM

'seneses' ? well.. residue, I reckon.... The venue was, and is, a long time Spanish cultural center cum/bar/resto/concert hall, unionist, located in a once jewish working district... Paul Robeson appeared there in the 30's, didn't need a mic,,,,, the dressing room probably hasn't been repainted since.!!, nor should it be... hard to describe,
I feel that the wealth of righteous support and real time experience will outweigh any negativity that occured at the organizational end.... , all things considered....

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Amos
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 05:22 PM

Before we leave the subject of Gerry Goodfriend's CKUT show with Bruce, I'd like to register a hearty "Well done!" to Gerry on his selection of songs throughout the program. They ranged from rare gems from the Carter Family and Arlo Guthrie to new and interesting pieces I have never heard. It was a great mix, and Gerry gets my thanks for a good job.

Because of the total program length, the CD I am making from the show for a few friends will be a "Selections from...." in order to fit the parts of key interest onto one CD.

I also want to say thanks to Gerry and CKUT for helping revitalize the music of one of Canada's National Treasures, unsung especially by himself, Bruce Murdoch.

Amos

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Azizi
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 05:28 PM

Thanks for posting descriptions of the concert. It sounds great!!

Kudos to Bruce, Noah, Ron, Shane, and all who were involved in making it happen and making it a success!

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Brendy
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 06:53 PM

Excellent, folks.
Looking forward to hearing Bruce's take on the whole evening....

B.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Beer
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 09:08 PM

Thanks Bobad for the correction on the song title. Was good to see you and your and your wife.

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 10:18 PM

Hi Kids!: Home Run...

I don't have to tell those who were there wassup. It was one of those "you had to be there"
times where everybody hit the mark. And it brought a smile to my face to see 'ole MudRock come back even stronger than Ormstown. If you've ever done a show and been on-stage. I think you know what I'm talkin' about. He mos/def(Rap-Talk)WORKED for this one Folks.
And two days in the studio, the radio shows, and obvious preparation gave you what went down at La Sala Rossa. Yep. It takes work to make it look easy... Makes you kinda wonder what he'd be coming up with after doing a little TOURsky, don't it? Guess he figured out the audience was either going to duct-tape him to the chair or not let him leave the building, cause he did "Can I Come Across To You..."
You should have seen BM's face when I met him on the street outside before the show and tried to sell him some Bruce Murdoch CD's. Anything for a laugh over here friends. Got an autograph though...

Found Big Daddy Z in the dressing room a little edgy before the show. Getting ready to do the opener. This guy works hard at his folk/art friends. Sorta looks like a young Keith Richards off drugs. LOL. HA...From this reviewmeister's perspective, I think once he saw how fast the room filled up, the "I better play my A-- off tonight" switch went ON. Good'un Noah...
And Ron Bankley, well, what can you say. Class act all around. Even had a fan ask me if I could introduce him. The Ville Emard Blues Band Vet added just the right touch on guitar along with Andy Gryn's son on bass. Makin' poppa proud.
And, there was enough food before the show at the resto downstairs to offer munchies to everybody who showed up...But, we beat 'em to it. So it came off as both a food and music feast for all who were brave enough to get off the couch and COME ON DOWN!

Some of the usual suspects in the crowd: Bill Garrett, Sue-Ellen Lothrop/Borealis Records, stalwart Mike Regenstrief, Gerry Goodfriend, Andy Gryn, family & friend Bill, Mark Nerenberg, Linda Morrison(time for another show, girl...), Diane Alnicky, David Young, Olivia, and other suspicious 'catters incognito...Not to forget, the niece of Gary Eisenkraft, searching for the puzzle parts to help out her Mom on the "in-the-works" book on the Montreal Music Promoter. Stay tuned.
Enough creative firepower in the room to produce "Gone with the Wind." So the rumours of Folk Music's demise have been greatly exaggerated...
A new "Folk Boom?" Well, with sparkplugs like BM's show goin' off here and there, like Chuck Berry(Who? SLAP!) would say, "You Never Can Tell..."

Bankster: Roger that...next time we play...

bob

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Janie
Date: 05 Jan 08 - 11:04 PM

Damn!. Sounds like it were oh-so-fine an evening in every single respect. Wish I coulda been there - cept'n its too damn cold up there for this Southern Hillbilly in January.

Janie

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: bankley
Date: 06 Jan 08 - 03:11 PM

where's home Janie ?

and dammit I didn't know Linda Morrison was at the show, haven't seen her in years.... now she has me at a distinct disadvantage..., she knows what I look like and I don't.....

Subject: RE: Bruce Murdoch podcast
From: Peace
Date: 06 Jan 08 - 05:34 PM

I can't thank y'all enough for your kind words and messages and reactions. The gig was lots of fun for me and I re-met people I hadn't seen in decades. People with whom I grew up, some others with whom I narrowly missed spending the occasional night in jail, musicians I used to go listen to and given the opportunity still will. Many many people rode or drove long distances to come say hello and I was happy I didn't disappoint them--at least I don't think I did. I owe thanks--big time--to Noah, Ron, Shane (NOT the one from Blind River), Mike and many more people who worked 'behind the scene' to ensure things went accordingly. The sense of audience was very relaxing and I had fun telling a few stories--various mixtures of truth, fabrication and on occasion down-right lies. Adrien and Bob and their respective wives mushed dog teams through a howling blizzard (that's an example of a fabrication) to get there, Rocky Dalonzo (www.saltydog.ca/flash/cds.swf) who can be heard at that site and who is the same great guy he always was--age has been very kind to him because he doesn't look a day over 93 that's an example of a down-right lie but I have more hair than him which is an example of me bragging; Mike R and his wife who trecked through waist-deep snow drifts so Mike could do the MC work. To say I enjoyed myself would be a severe understatement. Someday C Ham and I will be formally introduced. And I cracked up when Bob R came with a few CD-copies of two old albums of mine and asked if I'd autograph them with the following: 'The sex was great, Bob. Bruce.' Of course I did sign them. However, never having been one to let things ride, I then inquired if he'd ever seen his aunt naked, and if not, would he care for some pictures. And he, never one to let things ride said "Only if they're in colour" (because he already had them in black and white). Bob is a class act whom one has to experience rather than just meet.

Some points brought tears to my eyes, one of which was the number of people who remembered the words to "Go, Lassie, Go". (I was one of the people who remembered thus lending credence to my proposition that my memory is as good as ever--that's another example of a down-right lie, but when the singers (most people in the room) did harmonies and sounded as good as the Mormon Tabernacle Chorus (the word 'Choir' was taken by some group in Utah), it got me in the heart, as have so many of the postings on this thread. So it was a time of good things for which I am grateful and thankful.

Merci bien beaucoup for all the encouragement, the hugs and the kisses--but I gotta tell ya, some of you guys have got to either shave or let it grow. This two-day-old beard stuff scratched the sh#t out of my tender cheeks.

I wish so many other folks could have been there because the evening was for those I sang to. There or not, it came from the heart and that's where it will keep coming from. Thank you all.