BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?

Subject: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Jun 01 - 10:57 PM

Just got done watching yet another episode of Restore America, seeing people of creative talent and vision, spot some old derelict of a house or building, redo it, from top to bottom and having a grand time.

One featured a fellow in Tennessee who not only has done much to preserve his old town, but also redid an 1850's farmhouse for himself. He plays fiddle and other stringed instruments and jams on the front porch with friends dedicated to keeping Appalachian music and culture alive.

While I don't have the means to do it, this did spark an idea. Would love to see what you all think of it and maybe someone out there would want to actually do it, who knows?

Okay, so...you start a Bread and Breakfast that has a Folk Theme, rooms with musical instruments, etc., cater to musicians and those who love music AND feature a special crew of Mudcat musicians performing on the w/ends 'cause that's when you can charge the big bucks and could actually pay the musicians! During the week, guests could count on informal jam sessions with locals or the owners, etc.

Most B&B's have some kind of hook, some special appeal which attracts visitors. I know of one which has a cat for each guest room, for those who have to leave their pets at home and miss them!

Anyway, what do ya think? Would it work? I know a lot would depend on location, marketing, etc. Maybe it would have to be next door to Elderly Instruments OR, better yet, up near Sandy and Caroline's and we could get the Noo Yawk and Bahstun crowds?*BG*

Ideas, suggestions, comments, etc. welcome!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Peg
Date: 10 Jun 01 - 11:00 PM

hmm;

well not everyone who goes away for a weekend wanst to hear performers...

but having a place where Mudcatters could live off season in exchagne for their work (a la the artists' colony model) has an interesting ring to it...

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Mudlark
Date: 10 Jun 01 - 11:16 PM

Dear kat...

I'd go in a New York minute! Would love to find a place that catered to musicians, had instruments to play, live music...sounds like heaven on earth........and the only bed/brkfst I'd ever want to go to....

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Jun 01 - 11:37 PM

I think our MudGather was this, in a sort of tryout. I have been thinking about it a lot... only not as a B&B, which is too uppity for us and I think for folkies... but a sort of always-there hostel... as people are passing through on their way to festivals maybe. We are not as far off the beaten track as I thought, in fact... I saw directions in a recent thread, I think to FSGW from Toronto, that pass within minutes of our door. And Seamus Kennedy goes by regularly too.

Also I think if we stay here much longer, we are destined to operate as a sort of laissez-faire retreat center. A place to replan one;s life, strategize next steps in a career change, recover from an awful job, write some tuners or stories... fish.... wander backroads.... count fireflies... tip a cow or two.... I know many who came to the MudGather got more than the music out of their time with us... we envisioned a retreat capability when we moved into this house, which is much as you describe, and more so as time goes on.

I don't want money for visits tho... just more company, more tunes, and more self-sufficient folks who make up their own beds and leave us laughing and ready for more.

Camp up in the Adirondacks is set up in a nice way, so that as each person leaves, they clean it and remake the beds for the next guest. On Leaving Day, you change the beds and sweep and swab, and then drive your linens and recyclables down the hill to the laundromat, and as the linens (including copious towels) dry, you mosey over to the grocery to get a fresh supply of canned goods.

These you cart back to Camp with the folded linens and put them away.... all the directions for this, BTW, are printed and posted at Camp, and kept by the Guestbook where you canm make suggestions and say what the visit meant to you. It's really something-- to look back on your own last visit, when you go. You leave the key where you found it...

When the next guest comes, tired and burned out, and so weary, their bed is made, a couple days' food and fresh spring water is there, towels are hung ready to use.... always plenty of shampoo... all you do is unlock, and collapse, and let the breeze blow through the dogtrot porch, and your mind.

That's how I want my house to be.

As a first step, previous visitors will be glad to know, the CATPEE RUGS are ALL GONE now.

Y'all come back.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Jun 01 - 11:41 PM

Well those typos are a riot. Kat, I hope you'll fix them!

Fist step! Oops!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Ebbie
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 01:59 AM

I know of two different types of B&Bs that are interesting. You sign on at a registry for a specific kind of guest- one of the types I know is the field of education and the other is some specific sort of church thing.

When someone on the registry is going to be in your area, the registrar calls and asks if the spare room in your house is available. If it is (for instance, it's not already filled or you will not be out of town, etc)the guests arrive on the specified date and you treat them as though they were family- who do their share of treating in return. The way I understand it is that the host gets no money for this but it is a reciprocal arrangement.

Could something like that be good for the 'Cat? Your vision of musical instruments and jams and so on and on, kat, sounds wonderful and might fit in with the above idea.

Wyzzy, your MudGather sounds great.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 08:34 AM

We are still looking for the perfect setting for "House Of The Setting Sun" - a folkies old folks home. From the looks of this group, we better hurry.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 09:17 AM

Sounds good to me. I think I'd feel a bit old going to a Youth Hostel these days, and this sounds a lot more appealing.

One idea that could be imported from the Youth Hostel tradition is having an arrangement under which you can camp in the garden and use the kitchen facilties. Which also means you don't have to worry about rolling back home from the pub after the place is locked up.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 09:25 AM

I love the idea! I'm a big B&B fan... not uppity at all...

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 09:28 AM

I'm not much into B&B. I think I would like some sort of self-catering place that could be used for weekend long sessions.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 09:42 AM

I've worked in a hostel that provided kitchen facilities or the option of purchasing meals. Most people cooked for themselves, unless a large group was staying that wanted catering arrangements made. That worked well too. I've stayed a variety of great hostels and B&Bs and in particular at a lovely place on Achill Island that let us camp in the garden for 2 quid and use the facilities too. I'd love to stay someplace where other 'Catters would be staying. What a lovely idea! (I've just bought a new tent, so I'm in camping mood.) Oh, and can we have one in Ireland? ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Bagpuss
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 09:48 AM

Sounds like a good idea - could be advertised in folk magazines. But I would ditch the cat idea - lots of people allergic to animals!

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 10:08 AM

Well, Chez Fielding has been a bed and breakfast quite a few times over the last three years, and so far nobody's walked off with the silverware! The kind of guests that are really neat are the ones like Sam and Ian, who get up early, make their own breakfast, put on tea or coffee, and have a nice atmosphere waiting when yours truly struggles out of bed at 10 am. 'Course if Sables and I weren't talking til all hours of the morning, I'D have had things waiting for THEM.

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: JenEllen
Date: 11 Jun 01 - 02:37 PM

Yeah, ditto for the 'Second Chance Ranch'. *bg* You know that old saying about no rest for the wicked.... the girls have taken over. There's currently a pile of little women with fiddles and guitars crashed out with Sarah on the living room floor, and a brokenhearted girlfriend cowing out 'you don't bring me flowers' in the shower. The first batch of strawberries are on, and the door is always open.
~J

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 04:03 AM

Rick... that's exactly why I never thought about B & B. I can't do mornings. It's all I can do to haul my arse out of bed and eat breakfast, let alone talk to people and supply them with their breakfast.

But your house guests sound excellent... why can't all friends who stay over be like that!

Once had a friend staying over who actually waited around and half starved (ok exaggerating a little) because I was so knackered and comatosed, til about 12pm...

Well had been to a loooong session - so had they, they were just early birds... Poor thing didn't think to go and make their own... doh!

I love it when I go b&b'ing in Ireland and find a land lady who says to me, now you won't be wanting breakfast til about 10-11am will you? there is a god!

Ella

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 08:00 AM

Hmm.. you could ask Dougie MacLean. He has the Taybank Hotel in Dunkeld (Scotland). The bar has an open session policy and have loan instruments available - fiddles to bouzoukis .

I suspect that it may not make a hell of a lot of money - could be wrong - but that he does it for other reasons.

I've visited the Taybank and enjoyed it immensely. So I think that the idea would work, in the right context. I suspect that it'd need to be in a place where there was a high number of visitors anyway.

I think that the point someone else made about non-folkie visitors not wanting to hear music is valid. I think Maclean's handle that by decalring in clear terms that they are a music-friendly establishment.

Cheers

SD

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Dan Keding
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 08:48 AM

I've heard of a B&B in Indiana that does similiar things with storytelling - concerts, workshops, story sessions, etc.

I think it would be a great idea for folk music - theme weekends, intensive workshops, casual jams, etc.

Now if only one of us won the lottery.....

Dan

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 12 Jun 01 - 09:16 AM

If I win the lottery I promise to purchase and run such an establishment. I should point out at this time that I think the lottery is for the statistically-challenged, and my not buying a ticket may hinder my chances of grabbing the jackpot.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: GUEST,mmm
Date: 13 Jun 01 - 12:18 AM

Dan Where in Indiana is it? I live in north east Indiana up by Fort Wayne and I would love to go to a b&b that has that. mmm

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Jun 01 - 12:25 AM

Here is one in Shipshewana, IN which offers storytelling, live music, murder mysteries, etc: Old Carriage Inn

Thanks for all of the comments, everyone.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: roopoo
Date: 13 Jun 01 - 02:44 AM

It sounds a great idea. I stayed in a B&B in Norfolk once where the owners were Morris dancers, and they took me out with them.

The hotel we stayed at in Scotland (Strontian) many moons ago for our honeymoon used to occasionally play host to a family of musicians from Cumbria (I think).

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Dan Keding
Date: 13 Jun 01 - 08:09 PM

I've lost the brochure so I'm not sure but the folks who run the Hoosier Storytelling Festival In Indy should know about it. Let me know and I'll send you the diretor's email.

Take care, Dan

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Amergin
Date: 14 Jun 01 - 02:08 AM

problem is with this idea....where would the operator stow all of the plastic sheets for you old folks to sleep on?

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Dan Keding
Date: 14 Jun 01 - 11:34 AM

Amergin - one of the great pluses of getting old is to know that every youngster who decides to make a comment that is unkind or tasteless about old age will one day experience it first hand. I'll save a plastic sheet for you. Dan

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Matt_R
Date: 14 Jun 01 - 11:40 AM

Sure, I'll be upstairs in one of the bedrooms, behind locked doors, banging out some new Travis & Radiohead.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Amergin
Date: 14 Jun 01 - 11:40 AM

uh, dan, i am 62....

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 14 Jun 01 - 12:29 PM

Sounds like the plan we have up here in Canada with a few friends, to start an "Old Folkies Home". In our minds it has the B&B bit and all the music stuff going on too, along with a resteraunt and a brewery. It will probably have to become a reality within the not too distant future, no one is getting any younger. In the mean time if anyone needs to camp we live on 5 acres about 1 hr north west of Toronto. There is also a cottage on the same lot but it is a bit full of "junk". Give me a PM, I am a member really, just mostly post from work at lunchtime. JohnB

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Dan Keding
Date: 14 Jun 01 - 02:28 PM

Amergin, My apologies. Dan

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Jun 01 - 02:44 PM

Dan, he's pullin yer leg. Amergin, your time is coming, darlin'!**BG**

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Matt_R
Date: 14 Jun 01 - 02:45 PM

I got some ocean-front property in Arizona...

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Sep 02 - 04:55 PM

Hm, I think we are about 6 months from having this all set. Some of it IS set, and I am scouting additional beds and stuff.

See Draft Version Here.

One issue we identified that we needed to settle was space for us as hosts to retire for some privacy and to re-gather ourselves for good hosting. That done, I can see us doing this.

In our area, many people let their spare rooms for a week or two during hunting season-- clean and nice, but not country-cute. Country REAL, THAT we can do. So I will experiment on hunters before offering this to Catters, but gee, why else are we still renting a cheap and HUGE farmhouse now that the kids are launched?

We even have a big monthly jam now to offer as an amenity!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Sep 02 - 05:08 PM

The idea of their being a few safe houses for folkies, in far away places, sounds great.

I thought this thread seemed famiiar wheh I opened it, and then noticed the dates. I still think allowing camping in the garden with use of kitchen and loo facilities sounds like a good way to go.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Bobert
Date: 05 Sep 02 - 05:11 PM

Seems to me that I heard of a blues joint that has cabins and blues players. I'll ask at Tweeds tonight and get back onit. Might provide a good business model.

As fir the Bobert, I have open year 'round for Catters the BBBB&B, ahhhh, "Bobert's Blues Bus Bed & Breakfast", which I've made from an old double decker English bus. Sleeps 4 with two bedrooms, water closet, living room, eating area, heat, air conditioning and wiring... And like WYSIWYG, it's free to all Catters for a song. BYOB and instrument of chioce... Oh, Harpers Ferry, WV area...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Amos
Date: 05 Sep 02 - 08:10 PM

Dang, Bobert, that's enough to make me come back to Harper's Ferry!! Last time I was there I got so dee-sgusted at the sequence of events that John Brown got himself into I was thoroughly disgruntled all day!! He coulda raised much more ruckus before they got him!!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Amergin
Date: 05 Sep 02 - 08:14 PM

john brown? always thought you were that old, amos...

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Deda
Date: 05 Sep 02 - 08:16 PM

WYSI, I'm tempted to sign up for a few weeks at your house right now. If only hubby and I weren't locked into our day jobs! Our most common "wouldn't it be fun to..." fantasy is running a B&B.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Tinker
Date: 05 Sep 02 - 08:35 PM

Well, I've got the right house, but it's currently full of kids and chaos..... but as we slowly move them up and out this has some real possiblility. We've got a bit of garden and only 20 minutes from NYC... but for now I'll put it on the long term dream list.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Sep 02 - 10:37 PM

Deda, come ahead!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 06:41 AM

Well, I do know of one - sort of.
Jon & Pam Fitzgerald proprieters of THRIFT MUSIC and part of the team who organise THE WALTON FF and organisers of the MILLBAY FC also run a guest house in Frinton-on sea Essex.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat B&B - would it work?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 02:45 PM

McG-- we have that "camp & look after yourself" option too. I'm building in ALL the ideas in the thread, actually. Sleeping, a la carte.

~Susan