FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Tinker
Date: 25 Oct 00 - 04:43 PM

I'm getting the kid connection, my 11 year old son got in the car asking "What's that?" and prepped for a battle I said Celtic Mouth Music. "No in the background." You mean the bodhran??It's a type of drum. "Cool sound." There isn't much higher praise at that age.
Pam, you'll be please to know the piece was Dance with your Shadow.
Maybe next year my horde can come as Day Trippers and be nearby. I've got to think on this one.
Tinker

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Oct 00 - 04:57 PM

*sigh*..Knowing Nancy 'King', she will eventually forgive me for my typo above...

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Jed at Work
Date: 25 Oct 00 - 05:11 PM

Are there plans for the mini-fest? I am working out dates for East by North East in Jan and Feb and would like to fit in the mini-fest if possible. Who will be booking it?

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Dani
Date: 25 Oct 00 - 05:35 PM

This afternoon I'm tearing up carpets to the sounds of Ken Schatz and Allison Kelley, and my 10 yr old says to me, "Mom, you are just NOT going to believe this, but I really LIKE that stuff!"

Usually it's LeeAnn Rimes. It would be Britney Spears if I'd let it in the house. I'm impressed.

Dani

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: bbelle
Date: 25 Oct 00 - 05:49 PM

I'm working on my sis in Oregon to send my niece, Caitlin Grace who will be 12, out here so I can take her to the Getaway next year. This is starting to sound like a plan ... I don't know, though, the little girls are probably much more mature than the big girls. Oh, well, someone has to be, I guess.

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Jeri
Date: 25 Oct 00 - 06:51 PM

Re Ken Schatz - I heard him last year for the first time. The joy he sings with is infectious enough, but add a marvelous voice, sense of rhythm and choice of songs, and you have a singer to be reckoned with! I bought the CD too, and it greatly contributed to the destruction of my voice on the way home.

Rita, I'm glad to hear Mick did Rick's song. The only chance I got to sing or play with him was when he was practicing it and I "helped." (Well, he said I wasn't bothering him when I asked.) The song is a great one, and was perfect for that workshop.

Barbara, thanks a heap for posting Wallflower Waltz!

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: MiriamKilmer
Date: 25 Oct 00 - 09:29 PM

Tim and I, who froze at night this past weekend, are voting for Sept 14 for next year even though that makes it very close to Journey's End (Labor Day Weekend in PA).

I wonder how many folkies who attend - or might atend the Getaway are cookie-phobics who should be on Don and Dolores Nichols' "Getaway" mailing list?

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Big Mick
Date: 25 Oct 00 - 10:27 PM

Bonnie, I made it home today at about 6 PM. I never left the Mudcat gig until after midnight. Thank God for The Johnson Girls!! I know you have heard it all before, but that is one of the most enjoyable CD's I have purchased in a long while. And my 8 year old daughter, Ciara, is sitting in the living room listening to it now and telling my how much she likes it. I had better hide the damn thing or I will never see it again.

The Getaway...........just like fine wine.........better year after year. In fact, this was just flat out a joy, a blast, very cool, hip to the max. You cannot imagine the good feelings that are generated by this event. I will get the only criticism I am going to mention out first so I can get on with the superlatives. Where was the friggin heat??????? That gym got a little chilly at the concerts.

Sandy Paton taught me something. He gave me one of the most profound moments ever during the Songs of Struggle workshop. He will probably get pissed at me for giving this so much space, but I MUST offer up my observations on what transpired. As was mentioned above, Sondra did one of the most moving renditions of Phil Coulter's The Town I Loved So Well. For those that don't know the song, it tells of the sweet town of Derry, in the North of Ireland, and what the troubles have done to the town and its inhabitants. It is a moving song to say the least. I have probably sung it 250 or 300 times, and heard it sung another 500 or so times. I have never heard it done better, with more conviction, than Sondra did. It affected me deeply. When she finished, I turned to Sandy and asked him to do a song. As I did so, I realized how profoundly Sondra's rendition had affected him. I tried to move to someone else but Sandy went ahead and started singing My Old Man. As the song progressed, and started to tug at the strings, my friend was overcome momentarily by it all, sobbed, apologized, then (like the consumate pro that he is) finished it up. Think on it, my friends. In that one moment, he summed up for me his true love of the music. Can you imagine, a man who has spent his entire life collecting music, recording some of the greatest singers ever, has sung the most heart rending stuff a 1000 times, seen it all...............but still able to be touched to the deepest level by a wonderful rendition.......still listening to every word. I started thinking about my time with him and Caroline, and realized how very lucky I am and how God has blessed me with the friendship of these two. I was sitting with Sandy humming one thing or another, and he would tell me the version it reminded him of. The moment during the workshop, when Sandy showed me the depth of his love for our craft, he revealed himself for the true Bard that he is. Thanks, you old Folk Phogey.

Ya know, you meet up with your friends...one from Boston, one from NYC...........you only get to see them once a year or so.......drink a couple of jars of the vile black stuff......do a little Pointer Sisters style harmony and choreography to everything from Shantey's to Gospel to Yodeling, and right away everyone wants to criticize..........hmmmmmppppppppphhhhhh.

Dan went down and caught the only damn bass in the pond, so we went ahead and caught as many sunnies as we wanted. Let's go fishing for real some time, my friend. And I loved singing with you.

Hey Rick Fielding..........thanks for writing a wonderful song. It set my workshop up perfectly...........remind me to tell you sometime about the panic in the morning.

One of the funniest moments for me came when, after the fabled singaround............it was way after 1 AM, and we all came back to our quasicommunal cabin...........I still had a song or two left in me and I picked up the aul bodhran and quietly...........honest..........I started singing a song with it..........in comes Lani and asks me if I my big ass would prefer to die inside the cabin among friends or outside with the squirrels. I guess wanted to go to sleep..............LOL............my big ass put the bodhran away and climbed in bed. Then we listened to these maniacs in the next room giggling incessantly. Such good feelings..........camaraderie........These are such good friends...........I hope that all of you will try and find a way to this gathering next year. In fact I am beginning a year long, being a pain in the ass campaign right now...............YOU LISTENING, 'SPAW, YOU HORSES PATOOT.............to get you all there.

I am not going to mention specific Catters, as I would be afraid of missing someone, or hurting feelings. You know who you are, and you know how I feel about you, the hugs should be evidence of it. The only exception I will make is to Rita Ferrara, Bill Day, Charlie Baum, Jennifer and any others who worked so hard to pull this off. Rita, I am glad I did the workshops and the mini-concert. Thanks for cajoling me into it. You all are the best.

Mick

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: IvanB
Date: 25 Oct 00 - 11:10 PM

Wife and I just pulled into home about 9:30 tonight.

I attended Getaway as a day-tripper on Sat. and Sun., and, due to logistics, missed far too much of it. But I must say that I enjoyed every bit of my experience thoroughly. If I can make it next year, I'll definitely work things out so I can attend much more of the program, if not the whole weekend. Thanks, Charlie, Rita, Bill and all the other FSGW'ers that helped make the Getaway the success it was.

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 25 Oct 00 - 11:49 PM

The person who needs a lot more thanking is this year's Getaway Chair, Dolores Nichols. She did a bang up job, did a hell of a lot more work than I did, and inspired the rest of us to do our parts.

Thanks, Dolores!

(Okay, she doesn't have a Mudcat handle, but I happen to know she's been known to lurk!)

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: GUEST,Nancy King
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 12:54 AM

Bill -- You're forgiven. And thanks for the bouquets!

Tinker -- You can get Ken's CD through Folk-Legacy. It's called "The NexTradition." And I love your quote--that's just the way Ken and Alison sing!

Glad folks enjoy my kids' music--I sure do!

Cheers, Nancy

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: GUEST,Nancy King
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 01:11 AM

Bill -- You're forgiven. And thanks for the bouquets!

Tinker -- You can get Ken's CD through Folk-Legacy. It's called "The NexTradition." And I love your quote--that's just the way Ken and Alison sing!

Glad folks enjoy my kids' music--I sure do!

Cheers, Nancy

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: GUEST,Nancy King
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 01:14 AM

Sorry for the stutter. Hate it when that happens....

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 02:11 AM

It was the Big Mick's workshop, pretty thoroughly described above, that was the weekend's highlight for me. You've already been told of Sondra Wallace's heartfelt offering of "The Town I Loved So Well," and how deeply it moved me. Add Rita's song of the exploited Italian rice field workers, Dani leading us all in "Deportees," Fred Stollnitz putting his RUS to good use by giving us all of the verses to "Solidarity Forever," and then... Let me tell you folks, Karen K sang a song she's had in her notebook since 1984 and had never sung for us. It was written by her students, with some help from her, of course, when she was teaching a bunch of young kids with emotional and behavioral problems. A song of the Underground Railway, with rain symbolizing slavery, sunshine representing freedom. Karen sang it wonderfully well, and we were able to join in, once we perceived the pattern of repetition. I was blown away! I've known Karen for over 30 years, and never heard her sing with more conviction and confidence.

Other workshops, other informal song circles, etc., were splendid, but the "Struggle" workshop led by Big Mick was, for me, what folk music is really all about.

Sandy

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: GUEST,Pauline L
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 03:36 AM

As I read other people's memories, mainly of the music and the friends, the magic of the friendship at the Getaway wraps around me like a warm cape. Like many others, I drove into the camp and couldn't figure out where anything was. Dwayne (sp?) Thorpe got into my car with me to serve as guide. I said to him, "Do I really have to stick to the roads? I own some rural property and I'm used to driving through cow pastures, etc." Sheila gave us a very strange look as we drove by, and Dwayne said, "Oh well, let her wonder." She later explained that she was afraid that we were on a suicide mission, driving straight towards the pond. Oh shucks, I didn't even see the pond.

In keeping with years of tradition, I came to the Getaway in less than perfect health. I had an injured foot and could barely hobble along with my elegant walking stick, which had once been a tree branch with a vine wrapped around it. I stayed close to the dining hall area most of the time because I couldn't walk. I had to endure the disappointment of missing the Songs of Struggle. For me, the best part of the Getaway was getting so much help from so many people so happily, starting with Dwayne. At any hour of day or night, people were happy to walk with me over the "rough" ground and help me carry my fiddle. During the Saturday night concert, when I was lying on the floor with my foot elevated on a bench, trying to feel comfortable, Bruce Gewirz slipped a rolled up sweater (or something of that sort) under my foot to make me more comfortable. Later, I felt so good after one of his legendary massages. Several people helped me attempt to fix my fiddle. I was especially impressed with Don Nichols's collection of tools he carries around with him and his great skill in using them.

Ah, yes, the music. I particularly enjoyed Max Ochs's workshop on Mississippi John Hurt and Dick Greenhaus's playing on his new instrument (guitar with a steel resonator?) way late at night. My watch wasn't working, so the next day I asked Keith how late we had stayed up with Dick the night before, and he said, "Oh, about 3:30."

A whole weekend full of music, friends, and beautiful weather and scenery -- it just doesn't get much better than that.

This is the stuff that dreams are made of.

Pauline

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Big Mick
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 07:55 AM

I was so tired last night when I wrote that, that I didn't get everything in. Thanks for filling in about Karen K's song, Sandy. What an amazing song!!! Written by students of Karens when she was teaching. I hope she posts the lyrics, but without hearing this talented lady sing it, you won't get the full measure of it. WELL DONE, MY DEAR FRIEND.

Mick

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: annamill
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 08:03 AM

It's hard to retain everything that I experienced last weekend, but reading this thread reminded me of so many. I had to leave songs of struggle before Sandy did "My Old Man" because Roger in Baltimore was in concert about half way through Big Micks workshop. I love Rogers blues. I got to hear Big Mick do Rick Fieldings 'Songs of Struggle",Rita's italian field song, Karen's kids song and Sondra doing The Town I Loved So Well. Everyone was so moving. The night and morning before Micks workshop I was privileged to be in the cabin while he learned the struggle song. What a pleasure to hear his voice as he perfected the song.

I enjoyed Ken Schatz as much this year as I did last year and I bought his CD. How wonderful this young man is to listen to. Nancy, you must be very proud. I have a son who is 24 yrs old, so I know how it is to be proud of a child. Your heart swells.

The Saturday night concert was wonderful and everyone was amazing. I especially loved Lani Hermann's "The Wallflower Waltz". I'm glad Charlie posted the lyrics. I loved Lanis version with the chorus.

Next year I'll bring MY fishing pole and bait. I had no idea there was fishing. Ida been there fersure.

You guys keep writing and I'll keep remembering...

Love, Annamill

I want to thank Charlie, Jennifer, Dolores, Rita

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: voyager
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 08:07 AM

FSGW Saturday Night - Live! Such a cavalcade of stars & musical virtuosity!

SETLIST REQUESTED - Charlie B. & I sketched from memory the tunes which were offered but have only a partial list. Did anyone keep track?

SHANTY SING - Dave's Wild Goose raised the rafters...RANZO Alabama Cherokee John - what a hoot! A Shanty about sailing 'Round the Horn' - what was it called?

And now a small tribute to this special entourage....

FOX AND COYOTE MAKE THE WORLD (Jamie de Angulo)

Fox was the only living man. There was no earth. The water was everywhere. "What shall I do," Fox asked himself. He began to sing in order to find out.

"I would like to meet somebody," he sang to the sky. Then he met Coyote.

"I thought I was going to meet someone," Fox said. "Where are you going?" Coyote asked.

"I've been wandering all over trying to find someone. I was worried there for a while".

"Well it's better for two people to go together... that's what they always say".

"OK. But what will we do?"

"I don't know".

"I got it! Let's try to make the world".

"And how are we going to do that?" Coyote asked.

"SING!" said Fox

voyager FSGW Ghetto

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Tinker
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 08:40 AM

Oh Jeri, Thanks for the waltz. You saved me from a bad case of sniffles, since my man with two confirmed left feet was far away and I was startin' to get a little teary. Maybe next year we'll get the guys to dance.
Tinker

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 09:06 AM

All warm and fuzzy reading this. Actually teared up and had a fellow worker ask if everything was OK. Then a sudden thought hit me:
If Joe had to go to K-mart to get a spare change of clothes, it must mean that he intended to wear what he had on for the whole weekend.

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 09:35 AM

Tinker - want to know a secret? I had no idea you were Tinker, or even a Mudcatter - I knew you were in the Mudcat cabin, but I never really had a chance to talk to you! (Plus I think I was partially brain dead for most of the weekend.) Folks, there were two perfectly good men (I don't want to point fingers, but Mick and Barry - if you read this, you know who you are.) who had their sorry butts firmly planted in chairs and refused - I mean REFUSED - to dance with us girls!! Can you believe it?!?!

Voyager, thanks for the story. That's what happens - we sing and create the world.

While we're heaping praise on Ken Schatz (who deserves it) his partner in NexTradition, Alison Kelley, matches him in talent and energy. Ali is also in the Johnson Girls.

The Johnson Girls' CD seemed to slip out without fanfare. Folks, if you like sea music and an incredible blend of strong, clear harmonies, you'll love their CD! (I think this one is rapidly becoming one of my favorites.) It probably deserves its own thread...

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Big Mick
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 12:26 PM

I was not sitting down when I refused to dance!!!!!!!! And I thought you and aul Tink was doin' just fine.

I agree completely on The Johnson Girls CD. In fact I started my first posting on the Getaway talking about it.

I didn't realize that Ken had a CD there, or I most certainly would have purchased it. I remember listening to him last year and being absolutely knocked out at the power and emotion he gets into his songs.

Can I order the CD through Sandy, Dick, or the Mudcat?

Mick

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 01:02 PM

Yes, Mick. I suspect Dick has it, and I know I do. It ain't on our web site yet, but it's in the hands of our web guru. Johnson Girls CD will soon be up there, too.

Sandy at Folk-Legacy (see Mudcat links page)

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 01:15 PM

Pictures and Tunes. Pictures and Tunes. Could someone please post some pictures and tunes!

Also, Tinker and Jeri

My foot should be better by next year. Can you put me first on your dance cards ?

JAB

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Ferrara
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 01:41 PM

Charlie, thanks for the mention of Dolores. She was the one who set up registration and started allocating cabins when Jennifer was unavoidably detained with the registration materials; who learned that the camp was expecting all of us to leave on Sunday night, and talked them into giving us Monday morning; who got scolded when the rest of us left the metal chairs on the lawn in the dew overnight and left the dining hall in a mess on Friday. Good woman, has probably spent more time in her life doing FSGW volunteer work than I have singing.

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Big Mick
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 01:51 PM

Yeah, Jennifer is a special case and shame on me for not mentioning it. She was all over the place this weekend making sure all was taken care of. Great job, Jen!! It is a good thing you got them to let us stay until Monday, or I would have been out of luck.

Great job by all concerned.

Mick

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Dani
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 01:51 PM

We promise we don't mind knowing the rules and getting yelled at if we don't follow 'em. Let us help! It's easy if we know ahead of time what needs doing.

I know that organizing something like this is a labor of love, and I, for one, am very grateful.

Couldn't hurt next year to give us some guidelines for the guest rules along with our maps. I am sorry if they scolded Dolores, but I think they were wonderfully patient with the rest of us.

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 02:08 PM

This being the first year we're at Ramblewood, it's okay that we didn't know the rules. The camp administration was very understanding--after all they didn't know our rules and habits either. It's an unusual group (like ours) that defines the weekend as still going on 10 hours after midnight on Sunday. And we'll know more about what we're expected to do next year, and make sure that we appoint responsible individuals to oversee things like cleaning up after the Friday evening potluck.

Thanks to everyone who helped out with duties impromptu--we'll probably have to be a little more formal about assigning responsibilities next year.

And we'll try to have more directional signs next year, to help strangers find their way to the dining hall and whatnot. In the process of each and every organizer having a week from hell the previous week, signs fell by the wayside. But I'm amazed that almost everyone still managed to find their way around a camp that was new and strange to almost everybody!

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Ferrara
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 11:12 AM

refresh for SW

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: radriano
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 01:56 PM

Would it be too early to start the "get Radriano to FSGW Getaway 2001 fund"?


Sounds like my kind of thing. Anyone see Carly Gewirz there?


Richard

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: radriano
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 03:00 PM

I spoke with Sharyn Dimmick this morning and she asked me to post the following:


Sharyn Dimmick, author of the Wallflower Waltz, is glad to hear you liked her song. She is not online yet. You can, however, hear her version of the song on her cassette "I Am Your Winter Lover." You can reach her at 510-524-0416 or at 669 Oberlin Avenue, Kensington, CA 94708-1005. Tape cost $11.50 via mail. A transcript of the Walflower Waltz also appears in the Sept/Oct issue of the Folknik.

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Bill D
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 09:56 PM

radriano...Carly was indeed there with her husband and son...perhaps only one day..(did you get any message from them before? I forwarded your message to them)

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: GUEST,Barry Finn
Date: 28 Oct 00 - 12:40 AM

I thought I took in at least a fair share of all that went on even by trying to only take in half of one workshop so's to be able to catch half of another but I can see that this FSGW thing needs to be stretched into a week long event. Dick & Susan & Max kicked off Sat morning it was a perfect touch to get to see new & old m'catters. The shanty session with a tide pool for a backdrop was a great splash, & RIB had a seriously soused drinking song session. PJ Swan's mouthing was nothing less than spectular music, it was a real treat to have hooked up with her. Then the Sat. evening concert was excellent, what a wide array of so much talent. Then on to the late night with it's catch all down home party style was blast & just when you'd (at least me) thought, whoa time for a bit of shut eye only to find the mudcat cabin alive, awake & jumping with folk1234, Allen, Jeri, Max, Moonjen, Dani, Tinker, PJ, JAB & RIB, so much for the shut eye. Time to wake up to a cold shower, no way, on a Sun morn. eat & then come back to some hot water just in time to start off another day in music heaven. Dan & Bonnie Milner were loaded & hunting for bear with the songs they were dog & with the way they were singing them. Then Lani was a knock out with voice, bow & fiddle. Then Big Mick's struggling songs was quite moving with all the emotions that were flying with Sandy's My Ol Man & Dani's Deportee & Karen's song & all the others that my danm memory won't recall. Dick Swain & Nancy as always were super & Moonjen put on quite the show with Big Mick doing a dany job of closing for her. Then time for another bite & off to another no less than the night before's concert to be followed by another no less the the night before's evening session. Looking back I can see I only made it to about 1/3rd of the worshops & still I was rooling in the clover with what I did catch. The informal singing though really the ice cream though, I can't begin to recall all that passed but Bill D has a great funny bone when it comes to songs & what Rita was singing you had to be there to really get the full impack, Judy Cook sung some ballad (danm if can't remember it, was to steal it so bad) that from start to finish had put my jaw on the floor then she goes & sings a Berryman song that had everyone else on the floor dying for more yoddles. Joe Offer could lead the angel Gabriel in choir. Geeze I've missed so many & it's all starting to blur, I'm ready to head back next week never mind next year. I guess the up side of having a lously memory is I'd never come down if I could remeber it all. My best to Rita, Jennifer, Dolores & Don, Charlie, Bill, Judy & Dennis & to the many others that made this happen, THANKS. Goodnite, Barry who'shumminghiswaytobed.

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Jeri
Date: 28 Oct 00 - 10:45 AM

One thing that was different between last year and this - last year I think we felt like very welcome guests. This year, there wasn't much of a distinction between "us" and "them." Folks knew each other from last year, and it was like meeting old friends whether Mudcatter or FSGW members or both. The Mudcat workshop was full of non-Mudcats (shall we call them "Guests"?) who are perhaps lurkers here or potential 'Catters. We ran out of time before everyone had a chance to do a song.

I really regret not having more of a chance to talk with folks, but there seemed to be no end to the singing, and I'm not complaining about that! I also regret running out of mini-disc space on Sat, having to leave on Sun before the concert and what sounds like the best singing session on Sun night.

Speaking of which, Ferrara, if the bench-moving shanty was the second silliest thing you've seen, what was the first?!

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Allan C.
Date: 28 Oct 00 - 11:03 AM

Pleasantly frustrating -- That's one way I could describe the Getaway. There were far too many wonderful musical events and a multitude of priceless interludes for any one person to attend. I wanted to be everywhere at once. In fact, there were times when I found myself in a state of stagnant indecision. I felt a bit like the mule who starved to death because it couldn't decide which of two bales of hay to eat first. At least once I decided to not decide instead I found myself trading songs with some other stragglers. That, too, was wonderful.

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Big Mick
Date: 28 Oct 00 - 01:35 PM

You know, it occurs to me as read all my friends comments here that some of the greatest moments spent were music related only in that music is what brought us together. The time I spent, brief though it was, fishing with Dan Milner is precious to me. There is something about quietly sharing a body of water with a friend, a couple of Yuenglings and a bunch of fish that cannot be described. Sitting at the table with Sandy while he talks about people he has known, songs he has sung, etc., is just too special to describe. The welcome hugs on Saturday morning from Kath Westra, Jeri, Jenny, Dani, Jennifer Woods, Bill D, Barry, Folk1234, Joe Offer, Max, Caroline and all were special. One of the best moments came for me when I found the young boy who didn't get a pennywhistle last year because I ran out. I let him have first pick this year from the load that I brought, and damned if he didn't pick out the best sounding one. Never mind how I know, I just do. And he told his Mom that he was happy I hadn't forgot. Special moment. Then the rest of those little folk gangsters just cleaned out that pile of whistles. Lot of fun.

Yep, this gathering is something very special. SPECIAL REQUEST FROM THE BIG MICK: As many of you as possible start to make plans now for next year. Sock a little away beginning now, and reserve some time off for this wonderful coming together of good people and great musicians and singers. You will never regret it.

Big Mick

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Oct 00 - 04:12 PM

Mick-- swing by for me next year. I'm in.

~S~

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Ferrara
Date: 28 Oct 00 - 07:57 PM

You know, Jeri, when I threw out that line about the second silliest thing I ever saw at a Getaway, I was thinking about the year when Eric Cole led a guy named Davey Olive, with his cane and dark glasses, up the center aisle to the mike at the evening concert where he did two blues songs under the name of "Blind Harry Palms." (His usual pseudonym was "Blind Lemon Pledge."

But then Bill reminded me of the year when Dave Olive did one of his best songs, "You don't know me from Adam, but if you want to play the jukebox, Please Don't Play A-11," in the evening concert, **accompanied by Mark Gilston on the Bulgarian bagpipes.** Really. And it sounded good, too, or at least appropriate; you could imagine it was a dobro or something.

And then I reminded Bill of the time, in an evening concert, that Davey Olive played a blues version of "Barb'ry Allen," where I remember Sweet William sent his man into the town and when the man came to barb'ry allen's house to summon her, what he said was, "Git on down heah, bitch!"

So. So many pieces of silliness connected with David. He and his wife, Linda Lieberman, were killed in a car accident going home from the Getaway in I think 1994. (That doesn't seem right, but can't remember the year.) Lisa Null wrote a song for David, which Jennifer Woods sang at this Getaway. I wrote a song for Linda, which I sang last year. We loved them and we miss them. And when I think of sheer high spirits and crazy fun, Dave almost always comes to mind.

But we have other silly, silly memories. There was the year when -- but first, you have to know, that an authentic Bulgarian bagpipe such as Mark's, is made from a whole goatskin with pipes, etc., attached at strategic places. So, maybe it was Mark's birthday? one year, Kathy Westra and Jennifer Woods made him an elaborately quilted and patched shirt with the slogan, "Real Men Blow Dead Goats." Mark wore it at least once at this year's Getaway.

Here's another classic piece of Getaway evening concert silliness which I have heard mentioned on folk radio programs in far-off areas. Bill and I weren't at the Getaway that year. Before our time, dammit.

A singer got up to do a long, obscure and not too tuneful or exciting ballad. Worse, he hadn't thoroughly learned it. So he taped the very long lyrics sheet to the mike stand and started reading and singing the song. He had gotten through two or three verses when Nan Goland, in the front row, casually reached up with her cigarette lighter and set the bottom of the cheat sheet on fire. Not a sound from anybody but the singer til he got through another verse or two and suddenly realized his lyrics were on fire. The room - including the singer, I think - broke up. End of song. Beginning of legend.

Nan led the Telephone Songs workshop this year, by the way.

So. You guys can decide which was the silliest.

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 28 Oct 00 - 09:18 PM

I've heard that last story, Ferrara, and always wondered who had the cigarette lighter and the cojones.

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: tradman
Date: 28 Oct 00 - 11:32 PM

Ah yes, The singer was Dick Rogers, and the song was an interminable ballad called "The Factor". Dick had sung about 6 verses or more when the great fire was lit... I might add that although everyone laughed and applauded at the time Dick was not amused.

Mark

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Ferrara
Date: 29 Oct 00 - 12:03 AM

Umm... Wasn't planning to name names, singerwise, because I suspected he was not amused though have never asked him about it....

Bill says even Nan and Paul aren't sure of the precise sequence of events but it did happen and they were definitely the chief suspects.

And it was silly, but maybe not as silly as Blind Harry Palms. By the way, Dave wrote and sang a blues song as Harry that had the classic lines, "I'm old, and I'm ugly, and I smells SO bad. But other than that, honey, I'm the best thing you've ever had."

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: GUEST,Nancy King
Date: 30 Oct 00 - 04:14 PM

Nan still claims that as her finest hour...

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: MiriamKilmer
Date: 07 Nov 00 - 12:16 AM

Rita gave me permission to post my photo of her with her Zither. It's here, unadorned until I get time to make a proper page: http://angelfire.com/folk/kilmer/folkies/Rita.jpg

52KB

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: MiriamKilmer
Date: 07 Nov 00 - 02:05 PM

http://angelfire.com/folk/kilmer/folkies/Getaway2000.html

There's the proper page. Bookmark it. I hope to post a few more pictures soon; I'll let you know when it's updated. Or y'all can bug me in a few days:

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: GUEST,Liam's Brother
Date: 07 Nov 00 - 09:33 PM

Nice picture, Miriam! Nice picture, Rita!

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: MiriamKilmer
Date: 09 Nov 00 - 02:26 PM

Thanks, Liam's Brother. For those of you who need blue clickies: Rita and her Zither

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From:
Date: 13 Oct 02 - 06:43 PM

Hello,

Sharyn Dimmick here, author of "Wallflower Waltz," "Morning Shanty," etc. I am online now and can be reached via email at [e-mail].

Thank you.

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From:
Date: 13 Oct 02 - 06:59 PM

Dear Dani, whoever you are,

While you are entitled to your opinion regarding Lani Herrmann's arrangement of my song "Wallflower Waltz," I did write the song, and I do not wish it to be performed with a chorus -- to my mind this greatly diminishes the emotional power of the song, trivializes it, and subverts the story. I would encourage you to listen to it "my" way.

Sincerely,

Sharyn Dimmick

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Big Mick
Date: 13 Oct 02 - 09:49 PM

Dear Sharyn whoever you are,

Once you write it and publish it, it is up to the singer to interpret it any way they choose to. While you are entitled to your opinion as to how it should be sung, the performer is entitled to sing it as they hear it. I don't know you, you may be a very fine person. But I do know Dani, and she is absolutely a fine person. I also was present when Lani sang the song and I must tell you that she did it wonderfully and gave the song all the respect it deserved. Quite frankly, her interpretation was one of the highlights of the evening.

I would be happy to hear your rendition if you let me know where to purchase it. Hopefully it will be done as well as Lani's version.

Mick

Subject: RE: FSGW Getaway 2000 Memories
From: Genie
Date: 14 Oct 02 - 12:37 AM

Lovely picture of you and your zither, Rita!

Genie