Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger

Subject: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton/Stringsing
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 02:39 PM

Happy 75th Birthday a couple of days early! May you have a day full of wonder, joy, good friends and family and lots of music or whatever you desire. Thanks for sharing with us and being here.

I ALWAYS watch for your postings...esp. as we seem to agree on a lot of things, esp. politics. (Does that mean I'm a commie?**bg** Just read your notes on how you were introduced back when.) I also read your postings for the benefit of your experience and eloquence of expression. Thanks, again, and here's to a year that brings you all that you need and desire.

luvykat

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: Mark Ross
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 03:21 PM

Happy B'Day Frank.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: GUEST,stringsinger
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 03:26 PM

Hi Kat,

How lovely of you! I always enjoy your good spirited posts and I am grateful to be the recipient of one of them.

"Thanks for sharing with us and being here."

Mudcat is a very special place and you help to make it that way.

"I ALWAYS watch for your postings...esp. as we seem to agree on a lot of things, esp. politics. (Does that mean I'm a commie?**bg**"

I call that being an American. We have a rich tradition of Progressive and Leftist thinking in this country and we get to honor it here. Neither of us would have fared well under Stalin.

"Just read your notes on how you were introduced back when.) I also read your postings for the benefit of your experience and eloquence of expression. Thanks, again, and here's to a year that brings you all that you need and desire."

That's so sweet of you. Thank you so much. More and more it's important for those of us like Art, KyTrad and Kendall who have watched the folk movement grow up share with what we know from our own personal experience. Unfortunately Sandy is not around now.
There are others here who can share that have seen things happen like Joe Offer and Dick Greenhaus.

When you hang around long enough you get to see things happen and I'm just as enthusiastic about what's going on now in folkdom as I ever was. I am encouraged to see new people coming in to Mudcat.

Kat you are so nice. Thank you.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: GUEST,stringsinger
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 03:29 PM

Hi Mark,

Thanks so much! I am grateful.

Frank

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: Don Firth
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 03:55 PM

Happy birthday, Frank, from out here in the Pacific Northwest!

One of the great things about Mudcat:   being able to send birthday greetings to someone I've never met, but whose work I've admired all these years and whose posts I read with great interest.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: Mary Katherine
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 03:58 PM

Happy birthday from sunny Southern California, Frank! I hope you'll do something completely frivolous on your special day - you're entitled! Best regards as always,

Mary Katherine

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 04:08 PM

May I echo Don Firth's comments! The amazing thing for me about the Mudcat is to be able to communicate with legends such as yourself.
      Happy Birthday!

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: Alice
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 04:10 PM

You are a Treasure, Frank!!

Many, many happy returns of the day!

Alice

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: bankley
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 04:11 PM

Happy Birthday /Bonne Fete from central Canada... much happiness.. R.

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: alanabit
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 04:11 PM

All of the above. A very happy birthday to one of the best people here.

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: The Sandman
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 04:13 PM

Happy Birthday.I dont know you,but I enjoy your posts,which always seem sensible.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: Amos
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 04:35 PM

Frank, I hope you're having a great day; I want you to know it is a real pleasure hearing from you here, and I am proud to be a Mudcat friend.

A

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 05:26 PM

Frank, it's so nice to have you around here. I have two friends here in the Sacramento area (Marjorie Lev and Alice Greenhill) who took guitar lessons from you in Chicago Way Back When. They described you as "really young" at the time, but a terrific guitarist. You're still both of those, aren't you?
I really appreciate the wisdom and the stories you share - even though I sometimes disagree with you.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: Little Robyn
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 06:04 PM

Happy Birthday from New Zealand.
I have you on the Weaver's Reunion record that I bought way back when it was new and I'm pleased to 'know' you as a catter now!
All the best,
Robyn

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 09:33 PM

Happy birthday, Frank! My definition of old is ten years older than me. That means "old" is 84. For you, it will 85. "old" is a moving target for me. "Young" will always be ten years younger than me. That means that if you're a stripling of 64, you're young in my eyes.
Old is as old does.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: georgeward
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 10:08 PM

Frank,

We've never met, but you've been one of my influences since you, Pete and Folkways released 'Nonesuch and Other Folk Tunes'...fifty years ago this year, I think.

Thanks for that, for music since and for many a Mudcat post.

Happy Birthday!

- George

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: olddude
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 10:19 PM

Frank
100 more on to that my friend .. and a very very happy birthday to you. Have a bunch of cake for me .. :-)

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: M.Ted
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 11:06 PM

Happy Birthday, Frank! I hope you have a great day--I've enjoyed your posts for years, whether they are about music theory and practice, politics, or life and times of folk music--I hope I get a chance to meet you one of these days-and, if it happens, be ready for a ton of questions-

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: Art Thieme
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 11:48 PM

Frank,
From me too----Happy Birthday!

How can you be only 75? Back right before you joined up with the Weavers I took one class from you at the Old Town School of Folk Music. You taught Pete's Singin' In The Country. I was a kid---but you were an teacher---which meant you had to be at least twenty years older than I was-----right!? So, how the heck did I "catch up" with you almost. Another year or so and I'll pass you by I guess.

Frank, that was 50 years ago!!! Unbelievable. You were twenty-five years old. But I was a kid---and you, sir, were definitely a grown-up. Even then!!

Have many more---both you and Mary!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: Janie
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 11:49 PM

Have a lovely Birthday, Frank, and may all your days that follow be rich in caring, music, sharing, and the joy to be found in each day.

Thanks so much for what you contribute to Mudcat. I appreciate your thoughtful posts.

Janie

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 12:23 AM

Ah, thanks so much, Frank. You are such a kind gentle man and gentleman. I am proud to *know* you. Glad to see so many other folks in here, too.

kat

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: iancarterb
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 01:38 AM

Happy Birthday indeed. It's always good to hear that someone whose music one has admired enormously for f-f-f-fifty years is still a year younger than my big sister, with whom I just exchanged a few electronic smiles about our first Newport festival, a mere 49 years ago. That new fellow walking so competently in Pete's shoes whom I asked to sign my Weavers album (without your picture on it, of course) at the Duke indoor stadium (with 5000 other people) in 1960 or 61 was only 8 years older than me. Egad! :) You must have been born playing and singing so well.      Carter B

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 03:40 AM

Frank,
Happy Birthday, thanks for the pleasure your recordings have given me and the helpful information you've passed on to an ageing incompetent non-musician.

RtS
Washboard of Mass Destruction

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: Leadbelly
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 04:00 AM

A very happy birthday, Frank Hamilton!

Manfred from Germany

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: GUEST,Guest David Jones
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 04:25 AM

Happy birthday to Frank. Seem to remember that Frank was, for a short while, living in Gloucester Ma. in the mid 1970s, same time as I was there.
David

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: fat B****rd
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 04:42 AM

All the best, Frank.

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 04:45 AM

Happy birthday Frank!

Thankyou for the music.

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 08:26 AM

Dear Frank. Congratulations and thanks for the music and the pioneering work on the folk scene. Thanks for the postings too. I always find them interesting and informative. You say you are '...just as enthusiastic about what's going on now in folkdom as I ever was'. That is a great attitude. I'm something of a veteran of the UK scene, and I feel the same way you do. It's amazing what a grip this music can get on you isn't it? Happy Birthday,and Many Happy Returns. Burl.

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: topical tom
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 08:46 AM

Happy Birthday and many more!Thanks for the music!

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: Peace
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 12:05 PM

Happy Birthday, Frank.

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: BK Lick
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 01:17 AM

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Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: autoharper
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 06:12 AM

Dear Frank,

Happy birthday. I feel fortunate to have lived in your time. Thank you for just being your lovely, musical self. You've always been one of my favorite folksingers; I just love to listen to you play and sing. The birthday jam was such fun. You and Mary have a safe trip back to Decatur.

Love,
-Adam Miller

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 10:53 AM

LOL, BK. Well done!

Sounds like you had a good one, Frank!

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: MissouriMud
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 11:34 AM

Frank - besides the recordings, performances and the rest of the wonderful work you have given all of us, what means the most to me is the teaching.   The methods you instituted at the Old Town School (and elsewhere) and the School itself have been such a huge success and responsible for preserving and inspiring so much.   The Folk School of St Louis where I teach - trying to employ those same methods - was itself inspired by what you did at the Old Town School - so we are trying to carry it on to other parts of the country. You da man Frank - Happy B'day!

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: GUEST,Ken Brock
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 12:11 PM

Have a great day/week/whatever. And thanks for "Brazos River".

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: Wesley S
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 01:06 PM

Many happy reurns of the day Frank - and many more. Like lots of folks here I look for your posts and always read them with interest. Thanks for your contributions to music in general and the Mudcat in particular.

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: GUEST,Stringsinger
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 01:16 PM

I thank you all so much for the lovely kind expressions
and you have all made my birthday special. I feel so
fortunate to have my Mudcat friends wish me a happy birthday.
I also feel fortunate that I am part of this important folk community. I spent my day swimming in Lake Winnepasaukee in New Hampshire with my family, wife Mary, daughter Shelley and her husband Mark and granddaughter Victoria. Also, with my dear friend
Adam Miller and my two dear pickin' buddies, Chick Marston and Ellen Ford. The day was filled with laughter, music, swimming, hiking. good friends and family,
and beautiful scenery. It's more than anyone could ask for.
Life is the greatest birthday gift we can have.

We sang and harmonized on the good ol' folk songs, "My Home's Across the Smoky Mountains", "My Dixie Darlin'", Tom Paxton songs,
"St. Louis Blues", and more.

I was reminded of the many times sitting on the beach or in living rooms singing and playing music with others and how satisfying it was and still is. In many ways, although different, it's as nice as
playing concerts. To me, it's what folk music was and is,
sharing songs with good friends and those who I've not had the pleasure yet of meeting.

M Ted, it would be great to hear your questions.

I admire all of you so much.

Frank

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: M.Ted
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 08:44 PM

I'm studying my notes, and I'll start a thread--

Subject: RE: Happy Birthday Frank Hamilton-Stringsinger
From: olddude
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 09:22 PM

If you listen to Franks latest work ... 50 years and he can still perform at a level that is jaw dropping ... Amazing is the word for Frank in everyway. A true hero of mine