BS: Just a Newbie

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Cats
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 01:20 PM

Welcome from Bodmin Moor in Cornwall.

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Celtaddict
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 06:47 PM

Hi, and welcome, Wandersong29! I am in Connecticut, not a musician (people always ask and I tell them, I don't sing, I sing along, and I don't play, I play with) but a friend years ago explained our role in the folk process: we accumulate, we don't really collect; we don't originate, and mercifully we do not perform. We are carriers. I spend a good deal of time tracking down lyrics and melodies, or whole songs, for singer friends, and taking songs to musicians saying 'listen to this!' and such. Actually my dad's term was procuress.
I fell in on a lyric search years ago and have never left. I typed in a couple of lines from the middle of a song I had heard once, and in about three minutes someone gave me the full song, album, lyrics...I was hooked.
Enjoy!

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Bobert
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 08:04 PM

Warning: Do not attempt to answer DougR's question... There is no answer that won't piss off half the people here... You can take that to the bank...

BTW, in case you haven't thought about it, Dougie is kinda a resident trouble maker... Not to mention a died-in-the-wool Republican...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 08:00 PM

pics of lagerphones

lagerphones

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Alice
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 03:56 PM

oh, NO! Don't start THAT again! LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: DougR
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 03:52 PM

Welcome Wandersong, maybe you could answer a question that has been plaguing me ever since I joined Mudcat ('98 I think), here 'tis, Just WHAT is folk music? :>)

DougR (from Arizona)

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Rowan
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 02:14 PM

I've honestly got to ask for a bit of a translation... Leather ferret?

It's an Oz colloquial name for a concertina. I used to do battle with a bumskediddle, in times past as well. That's a Murrumbidgee name for a lagerphone.

You'll get used to that sort of nonsense on Mudcat.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: scouse
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 05:57 AM

Welcome to the Madhouse! A knowledgeable lot these Mudcatter's!!
AsAye,
Phil.

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 01:28 AM

recent Catter pics - contact Joe Offer or Katlaughing if you want to post a pic

Mudcat on Flickr

Songs from the Mudcat Songbook

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: KT
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 01:02 AM

Greetings, wandersong! Another warm welcome from the frozen north! (Well, it IS north, but right now Washington, DC seems to be more frozen than we are!)

As you're discovering, this is a great place with a lot of great folks! Since you're a singer, you might like to check out this thread      It's a good one!

Lookin' forward to your posts around here!

KT

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: wandersong29
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 12:41 AM

Hullo, Rowan! Like that name, too. Nice to meet ya.
Erm, I've honestly got to ask for a bit of a translation... Leather ferret? *laughs* Yeah, I'm a bit lost on that one.

Thanks for the pointers, too! And OF COURSE I'll enjoy myself. As a general rule, it's what I do. *grins*

Hope things are going well in your neck of the woods! ;oD

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: wandersong29
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 12:31 AM

Ummm, apparently I wasn't signed in earlier... The above post is mine. ;o)

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Rowan
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 12:31 AM

Greetings Wandersong,
I'm an Ozcatter from the version of New England that's across the big lake. Sorry about you getting all our sunshine secondhand but, that's the way the mop flops. I've been known to fondle the leather ferret and sing the odd song, sometimes at the same time.

Below the pane where you type postings are a couple of really useful buttons. If you tick "Preview" and then "Submit message" you can see (and edit) your post before it hits the Threads. This can be handy, especially if you type in some HTML formatting. There's also the "Make a link" button, if you want to post a link to another thread or an external URL. The Preview button is useful for checking that aspect of your posts too.

Enjoy yourself!

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 11:43 PM

Thanks, akenaton, and lol!

Pleased to make your acquaintance, WalkaboutsVerse, and nice name!

Hello, Some Guy From Laurel Maryland! SGFLM. Hmm. Nice to meet you, Severn. ;oD This definitely sounds like my kind of place. I'd like to know more about the Mudcatters' "Code of the Road," too. Thanks for the welcome!

Bill D, hello there! Poking around and asking questions is my forte, sir, so I think this will all go well. *grins* Self-professed purist snob, eh? Funny!

Thank you, jacqui.c! And you're right, the Members' Photos and Info IS interesting.

Hiya, Bobert. Like your name, too. You definitely had me laughing! I think I'll pass on the mudbath in a literal sense, but I'm good to go, figuratively speaking. ;oD Got it on my boots taking care of our animals today, though... Where are you from, anyhow? Aside from BSburg, naturally.

Hi, artbrooks! Good to meet you. LOL @ the civilized place to the left of TX. Never been your way, but I've got some family in TX...

Thanks, Gurney, for the welcome and the enlightenment!

And your phrasing amused me, Alice! No worries either way, and pretty pic. :o)

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Alice
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 03:39 PM

Just a note, the member photos were put up many years ago, so my photo that is on member photos and profile is from over ten years ago! (I have genes that make me look younger than my age, but, nfortunately, I don't look that young any more LOL)!

Alice Flynn in Montana
www.aliceflynn.com

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Gurney
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 03:28 PM

Further welcome from New Zealand.
To answer your question earlier, OZ = Australia, Catters = Mudcatters.

You'll find what you're looking for, here.

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: artbrooks
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 02:42 PM

Welcome!! I'm in New Mexico (that's the civilized place just to the left of Texas), and proudly flaunt the title of "member of the audience". This is a pretty good place to hang out, and some of the residents know just about everything about everything (ask them if you don't believe it!).

Just remember, not everyone here is what they seem to be. For example, Bobert teaches English grammar at West South North Carolina University, and Catspaw is really a Baptist minister.

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Bobert
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 01:59 PM

What's up, w-song???

No, not what's up but welcome... Hey, one thing I gotta say is that you got balls fir startin' yer Mudville life unner the line... Ya' see, there's the highbrow area of Muville where people argue endlessly over the geetar taps for "Puff the Magic Dragon" 'er the best tuning for a danged uke... Like, who really care about that stuff... Well, I'll tell who... None of the folks you'll find hidin' down here in BSburg, that's who... We don't give a rat's ass about ukes... We use 'um to start fires... And the Puff Dragon??? He stuck his head in here one time just in time for one of Spawzer's posterior commentaries and ain't been seen since...

But nevermind Puff and ukes...

Yer here now so I'd suggest ya' go outside and run the garden hose on a section of that red Georgia clay and when it get really muddy just grab you up a fistfull an' smush it all over yer head... When you got a head full of smushed Geogia red clay mud then you'll be officially ready to tackle the unner-da'-liners...

But nevermind Puff, mud or ukes, w-song...

Welcome from the Mudville boney-assed, misunderstood, resident hillbilly bluesman...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: jacqui.c
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 01:59 PM

Welcome to the Cathouse, Wandersong.

I'm English, but live in Maine - I'm one half of one of the transatlantic marriages that George mentioned - the other half is Kendall.

You can find out a lot about a number of us in Member Photos and Info - makes interesting reading!

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 01:56 PM

Hmmm.. missed this while talking about snow on other threads....but hello! I'm in Maryland just North of Wash DC, and have been here almost since the beginning. (Nov. of 96)

The overwhelming thing about this place is that almost everything posted since the beginning is still here, so a search (up at the top) in the 'forum' may get you LONG discussions on anything vaguely related to folk music...and way too much that is not..☺.

Poke around and ask questions....

(Oh... I play autoharp and 'some' dulcimer and recorder and am the resident 'purist snob' who wishes the topics stayed closer to 'folk'...but I don't struggle like I used to...*grin*)

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Severn
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 01:45 PM

Hello!

I'm some guy from Laurel Maryland who doesn't play an instrument but sings, after a fashion.

In my years on the Cat, I have made many enduring and endearing friendships on several sides of several oceans and have met, been entertained by, and have in turn entertained quite a few Catters in both their travels and my own, putting faces on many names while having hardly ever been disappointed.

I have come for, given out and reshared much musical information and have matched wits and quips with some of the funnier and wiser souls I've had the pleasure to know. I've recieved tremendous friendship and support through hard times, medical and otherwise and have tried to give back the same in return. I've stayed away from politics, for the most part, which has helped me keep the friends I've gained.

Mudchat does not get used as much as it once did, but it can still be a great place to actually get to know people in real time when you can find some of the regulars within. I gained many lasting friends from my time spent within.

There's a "Code Of The Road" among Catters that will help, when asked on a thread you might start or individually, find food lodging, music and supplies anywhere you might wander.


It has its share of arguments, squabbles (Just don't ask "What IS Folk music") and Trolls, but at its best, it's truly a wonderful place.

I'm much the better for my time spent here. I hope to cross threads with you sometime soon. Welcome.

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: wandersong29
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 01:32 PM

Thanks, Alice! I really appreciate the guidance. Believe it or not, I've already read the Newcomer's Guide, and also I've been going through the singing threads you grouped. Very useful info... Love stuff like that.
Have NOT gone through the DT yet, but planning to do so as soon as I can find the time.

Yay! I've been here since... yesterday... and it already feels like home. :o)

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 01:31 PM

Hi WanderSong of Georgia; I'm WalkaboutsVerse of Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: akenaton
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 01:30 PM

Hello from Bonnie Scotland Ws.....welcome.

There are no trolls here, just a big bunch of opinionated fuckers!!...:0)

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Alice
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 01:22 PM

Hi, wandersong, if you are a singer, check out a bunch of old threads I grouped together called "threads on the singing voice".

The "Mudcat FAQ Newcomer's Guide" is very helpful. It's at the top of the threads on the forum page.

The "DT" is the Digital Tradition database of song lyrics. You will find the search box at the top of the page.

Alice in Montana
(been here since 1997 and it feels like home)

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: wandersong29
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 12:53 PM

Oh, hello, catspaw49! Missed your post whilst posting mine. Thanks for the greetings! And yes, I have trash bags, and no, you can't have any. ;oP I need them for all the baloney I deal with on a regular basis.
*laughs* Nice to meet you! I love being around people who give me a hard time. (Unless they're just being mean... But you don't seem to qualify as mean.) I'm quite a smart aleck at heart, but I TRY to behave. For the most part. :o|

And hi there, katlaughing! Nice to meet you, as well. Thanks for the offer, and I'll certainly keep you in mind. I need all the help I can get! *laughs* Appreciate it!

Mudcat sure seems like a fun place. So glad I found it!
(Sorry if I missed anybody, by the way! Unintentional.)

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 12:46 PM

Welcome to the Mudcat. One of my jobs is to clean up the litter in the back from when Catspaw aka "Spaw" kicks it up. He's my "evil twin." **bg** He actually hides a very special heart which we've all had a hand in keeping going over the ten years or more we've been here.

I am also one of the moderators, so if you need any help, please give me a holler by Personal Message aka "PM" which you can do from the "Personal Page" link up top.

kat in Colorado

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 12:39 PM

Alaska Mike! Seamus Kennedy was just talking about you. How are you?
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: wandersong29
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 12:15 PM

Thanks, Alaska Mike! Sounds like my kinda place. I'm always on the lookout for answers... And new questions... And... :o)

ClaireBear, yes, yes, yes ad infinitum. Madness is just another normal day for me, but oh, what fun! ;oD I love kindred spirits.

CarolC, thanks so much! That makes a lot more sense. Boy, I sure have got a lot to learn!

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: CarolC
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 12:06 PM

Squeezers are people who squeeze boxes with bellows to make sounds (otherwise known as music), like for instance, accordions and concertinas. I squeeze accordions, myself.

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: ClaireBear
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 12:05 PM

Welcome, Wandersong, from northern California (where the palm tree meets the pine). We're all mad here -- just so you know. I hope that means you'll find us kindred spirits!

ClaireBear

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 11:03 AM

Welcome to the cat, Wandersong. You will find people here who can answer almost any question you might have about music. They won't agree with each other's answers, but by golly, they will give you answers.

Mike from Anchorage

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: wandersong29
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 11:03 AM

Hiya, Bonnie Shaljean! Thanks for the welcome and the info! Duly noted and soon to be utilized.

Mr Red, thanks for the welcome and the warning. Awful people shouldn't be seen OR heard... I've been on a few forums before, but none as big (or engaging) as Mudcat seems to be. Don't worry, I won't feed the trolls. They don't like being ignored, which seems the perfect comeuppance. (Hmm, think I spelled that right...)

My guru always said, your name makes me smile. And thanks!

Morning, Animaterra! I live in SW GA, actually. Nice to meet ya! Yeppers, I sing professionally hereabouts, but I sure know I've got a heck of a lot to learn. I LOVE learning, anyway, particularly about music. I'm in my early 20's, been actively singing on a regular basis for about a year and a half now. I LOVE it. Music is one of those things that just makes me happier than anything else. (Do tell me about your name... Living earth or something? Intriguing.)

Frogprince... Like your name, too... *laughs* Thanks for the welcome and the info. And don't worry, I'm not scared of fire... I know that there's probably not a soul in the world I'll ALWAYS agree with, but that's part of what makes life so interesting. I'm open to learning and listening, particularly when the other party is, as well... *grins*

Hullo, Ed T! Okay, so Mudcat IS as confusing as it seems? ;oD Thanks, too. I'll keep my chin up and try to toe the line!

Thanks, Amos! Hope things are going well your way.

Well, thanks, SINSULL! Very kind. I really appreciate that offer. I've never been up that way, but I must say: Warm beds, hot meals, and great music are all my favorites. :o)

And hello, Sandra in Sydney! (Alliteration's always amazing.) ;oD Thank you! You run a folk club? Neat! And... What are Ozcatters?

Thanks for making me feel so welcome, y'all!

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 10:47 AM

Well I've been here since '98 and the place is a mess. It is hard to get anyone to take out trash and believe me when I tell you there's an abundance of crap here.........You got any trash bags?   We need big ones.......lots of 'em.   If you got some damn bags then Welcome to the 'Cat.......otherwise, take a hike Leave the bags with Sinsull and Amos as they're both in need, completely full of crap.

Enjoy yourself.....The place is filled with friendly, intelligent, helpful, and caring people. I'm not one of them but I know they're here 'cause I see 'em around......again, welcome to the best place on the net..................at least at times.................sorta'....
...

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: wandersong29
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 10:42 AM

Awwww! Y'all are so sweet. Thanks for the welcome! This seems like a cozy yet zesty place to be. Glad I'm here. :o) Note: quite a few of y'all made me laugh out loud this morning. I LOVE when people do that.

Thanks, MtheGM! Never been over the Pond... yet. ;oD

Michaelr, hi there. :o) I'll probably be sniffing around everywhere, but I don't plan to touch much of anything smelly...

Um, CarolC... what are squeezers? Yay for mighty squeezers... *grins* And a serious yay for friendships. Wow, 10 years? That's awesome!

Hullo there, Genie. What's the Getaway? Note: I love great folks. And curmudgeons. Thanks for the guidelines, too. I must say, there's not much I DON'T want to know... I'm of the nosy sort. :o)

Greetings, George Papavgeris! Thanks, sir. And indeed, I'm sitting at the kitchen table with a nice big cup of coffee right now.

CapriUni, well, that's actually an interesting story. When possible I spend at least part of my evening working on "music stuff"... researching, learning, listening. Meandering and puttering around the Web. ;oD It's nice to go to bed with new songs in your head. Ultimately, I started with a country song my mother had e-mailed me and in a kinda sorta roundabout way got to wondering who wrote "Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain," which led to a page on Fred Rose. Found a song list of some of his work and liked the title of "Waltz of the Wind," so rabbit-trailed around YouTube for Roy Acuff's recording... Which isn't there, though there are a couple of nice versions. Later I did another search which popped up a Mudcat thread a few pages into the results. I was intrigued by the whole music forum community thing, so... Here I am. ;oD
I love chocolate chip cookies. :o|

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 10:20 AM

George - you forgot to mention Australia!

Gidday, wandersong29 I've been here for about 7 years, followed another Ozcatter here & a few others followed me, then I met a few more here - some I've even met at our National Folk Festival. I've also met a few visiting catters from UK & US.

I run a folk club (where some of these visitors have appeared), & sing along with choruses cos I can't hold a tune on my own. I love singing, & listening to singers.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 10:17 AM

Maine here, WS. I mostly enable with song circles and house concerts. Let us know if you are up this way - warm beds, hot meals, great music.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Amos
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 10:12 AM

Welcome aboard. Enjoy the Cat!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Ed T
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 10:07 AM

Welcome from Halifax, Nova Scotia....Canada....(Canada's ocean playground):
I enjoy the knowledge, poetry-lyrics and humour....Beware, sometimes being a newbie (I've been here for a few months and am just figuring out the hierarchy) lasts for quite awhile, since some have been post'in here since before time began. They may blast you a bit if you don't know or follow the somewhat formal rules of informality....but,just ignore 'em and keep your chin up :)

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: frogprince
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 09:14 AM

Welcome to the Catbox; I live in Michigan, north of Detroit. I'm just addicted to folk, whether more trad or contemporary singer-songwriter, and I stumbled in here a few years ago looking for a song lyric. I'm not a performer or "known songwriter, though I've written a few songs, so I tend to land in the general B.S. discussions. Try not to panic if you come across some rather inflammatory stuff; a number of fine people who are pillars of the folk tradition hang out here, and even the "unknown" majority runs to very thoughtul folks who are more than worth getting to know.
                            Dean

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 08:06 AM

(I should have added that I live in rural southwestern NH and sing, lead singers, and play contradance and morris music with my DH).

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 08:05 AM

There's only a few of us here, but we're mighty. Power to the squeezers!

Welcome, wandersong29! Whereabouts in Georgia are y'all from? We find ourselves wandering from Blairsville to Macon and points between, usually about once a year, when we visit my husband's former home in Brasstown, NC. I have family in Blairsville, Canton and Atlanta.

Do you play, sing, or otherwise perform? Tell us more about yourself!

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: My guru always said
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 05:54 AM

Welcome to the Cat from the UK side of the pond! Enjoy your time here!
Hil

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Mr Red
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 04:43 AM

wandersong29

Welcome

Usual caveats apply. If you are used to forums this is fairly mild by comparison with a lot but:

Don't feed the trolls.

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 04:40 AM

Here's a welcome from the south coast of Ireland, wandersong (what a great name). Looking forward to seeing you here.

I love the old songs too - you may already know about this, but in case not, check out the Lester Levy Collection of sheet music:

http://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/

Melody Lane (www.melodylane.net - home page takes a little time to open) is also worth a look, though the site has not been operational for awhile but she's supposed to be re-opening it - sometime. I used to love going there.

There are a number of other sites like that, so search through the past Mudcat threads and you'll find some gems. Welcome aboard!

Bonnie

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: CapriUni
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 04:33 AM

Hello, WanderSong!

Just out of curiousity, what search were you on that led you to Mudcat?

I'm not sure exactly what led me here, years ago. But I may have been searching for the lyrics to "Turkey in the Straw," so I could spoof them in story friends and I were playing with.

(I stayed for the chocolate chip cookie recipes ;-))

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 03:58 AM

Hello there wondersong. I am UK-based, 20 miles W/NW of London (not far enough!). This is a good forum, if you learn to wade through the arguments about what is folk (mainly UK catters), or politics (both UK and American catters). Membership over the years has included some great researchers and very knowledgeable people, some very worthwhile practitioners, but mainly it consists of lovers of the genre (whatever its definition). Many among the UK lot meet regularly, some are friends, and there have even been Mudcat marriages (some even across the Atlantic). Members live also in continental Europe, Iceland, South America, the far East, South Africa etc etc.

Sit you down and grab a coffee...

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: Genie
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 03:42 AM

Hi, wandersong.   I'm a bit of a wandering minstrel myself. Nice have you on board. I'm on the west coast, but I have kinfolk in Raleigh and I did make it to Getaway last year. Since you're so close, maybe you can make it there next fall. Meanwhile you'll be meeting lots of great folks, including a few curmudgeons, here at the ol' cafe.

Do check out the DT. It's a treasure trove of song lyrics. There's also a Mudcat Songbook (songs written by Mudcatters) and, of course, the forum itself, with all sorts you've always wanted to know, lots of stuff you didn't know you needed to know, and stuff you could've lived without knowing. Just pick the threads that interest you and disregard the rest. It's a great website and community.

Genie

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: CarolC
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 02:29 AM

I'm here for the squeezers, wandersong29. There's only a few of us here, but we're mighty. And I'm also here for my friends. After almost ten years of participating here, one tends to form some close friendships.

Subject: RE: BS: Just a Newbie
From: michaelr
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 02:08 AM

Hi and welcome. I lived in Athens, GA in the early 80s. Now in NorCal.

Sniff around the catbox. Some corners are smellier than others, but overall it's a good place.