BS: History Of Mudcat

Subject: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: GUEST,12 STRING STAN
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 06:32 AM

Hi Guys, I have spent hours and hours on this site recently, trawling the forums and the DT finding out loads of information both usefull and useless,
I come to the following conclusion:
The Mudcat Cafe is playing a major, if quiet part, in the preservation and re juvination of folk music across the globe, wich makes me wonder one thing
Who was the bright kid sat down one day and said, "I have an idea for a website" my ramblings lead me back to 1996, was this when this site started? Did the creators know then, the huge platform they were creating for folk music? and basically how it went from not existing to being a huge huge resource for singers and musicans from all over. And of course, how it's name was decided.

May I on behalf of all of us, congratulate those involved in this site for their excellent acievement.
I await your info.

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 07:01 AM

Good innit.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 07:15 AM

The little fish jumping out of the banjo. It was all his idea. Max and Pene and Joe and all the clones don't really exist. They're just AI creations dreamed up by the fish to further the myth that the site was created and is maintained by human beings. The fish only created the AI's because nobody would visit a site put together by a fish.

In fact, there is a theory that the entire membership is just a batch of AI constructs and that there's not a human being involved in the whole ball of wax. That theory gets a little dodgey when you meet other Mudcatters in person, but if you just keep reminding yourself that they're not real, regardless of how well they play the fiddle, everything works out just fine.

As to the question of why the fish created the site, the best guess is that it wanted to give computer semi-literates a chance to learn a smattering of HTML.

We sincerely hope this information has helped to muddy the waters a bit and that you are now thoroughly confused and, perhaps, a bit frightened.

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 07:58 AM

Omigod! This thread should NEVER have been let loose in the BS section!

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: freda underhill
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 08:14 AM

Hi, 12 STRING STAN

try this one!

Mudcat FAQ Newcomer's Guide

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Amos
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 10:01 AM

When you click on the Mudcat CD button on the front of the threads there is a link to Liner Noted which includes a short history by DIck Greenhaus.

You can also view threads by date.


A

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Amos
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 10:03 AM

Here's a link to Dicks brief history of The Digital Tradition.

A

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 10:36 AM

12 String, you should be aware that Amos doesn't really exist. Neither does anyone else on Mudcat, including you. I am the only thing in existence. You are all constructions of my mind; I wanted you to exist and here you are. I am constantly amazed at what I create, but for the life of me I can't figure out why I created either John Ashcroft or William Shatner.

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Amos
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 11:08 AM

You didn't create Shatner. One of your creations, the one you call Little Hawk, did it in a fit of obsessive self-control drama while you were asleep one night. He was so ashamed of what he had done he has been well-behaved ever since.

A

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 11:18 AM

If the creation of the creator creates, the creation of the creation is the creation of the creator.

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 11:27 AM

I am 3 months on here and going strong... lovely place. I commend you (Joe, Max, etc.).

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: GUEST,Mudcat FAQ's
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 11:41 AM

Define "mudcat"

mud cat any of several catfishes capable of living in Muddy Waters.
Source: Webster's New World College Dictionary

Catfish and Muddy Waters are inextricably connected to the Blues. Max started the place as a blues site, but generously invited us folkies to join him

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 12:12 PM

I believe Max is as amazed as anyone else that Mudcat has taken on a life of its own. Members and guests share music, stories, homes, meals, births, deaths, illnesses in the 3D world as well as in cyber space. Music changes hands and crosses continents that never would have without Mudcat or at least not as quickly. So...in the beginning was the music and the music was with Max who is of course god.

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: GUEST,12 STRING STAN
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 12:25 PM

What a wonderfull place this is. where all little people who don't really exist come out to play, and i thought i was the only one.
Thank you for pointing out my failing to notice the fish as the big shot. terrible mistake to make, yet so obvious when you think about it.

I however reflect with a nervous wince, on the qoute by foolestroupe,

"Omigod! This thread should NEVER have been let loose in the BS section!" and cant help feeling a bit worried. But as none of us are real, very little can actually happen (can it???????????????)

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Amos
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 12:57 PM

Actually, a great deal more harm is done by those from the Unreality side of the line than those living on the Reality side. Witness the Bush Administration.

A

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 01:23 PM

this place is a real as YOU make it...I am going out to Bobert's tonight to meet WYSIWYG for the first time RT after 4-5 years of complex interaction in VT.

that will make 40-50 Mudcatters I know personally....not a record by any means...

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: CarolC
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 02:02 PM

Once upon a time there was a brilliant young computer programmer named Max and his faithful sidekick Jeff(another a brilliant young computer programmer). They lived in the land of Pennsyls, where blues music is much revered.

One day, while playing some blues in the 5th level sub-basement of the Onstage Media megaplex (Max's first kingdom), Max and Jeff heard a faint humming sound coming from the shadows way off in the far end of the 5th level. As they approached the sound, they also saw a faint, rectangular glow, emanating from something that looked like a small box sitting on the floor.

They approached the box with some trepidation, but their curiousity was to great to ignore... plus the box was humming a Leadbelly tune.

Max remembered that he had brought his flashlight with him in case he needed to scare off any of the sub-basement rats. He shined the light on the little box, and saw to his amazement and Jeff's, a small computer box with a keyboard and monitor sitting on top of it.

The monitor was flickering, and as Max and Jeff approached, it flashed these cryptic words...

"What the hell took you so long?"

Max sat down on the floor and started typing on the keyboard. He asked the computer many questions, the first being, "who are you". To which the computer said, "I am called Shorty. Please feed me."

Jeff played some wicked blues on his harmonica while Max communicated with Shorty. There was magic in the air of sub-basement 5 as the three of them wove together the threads of music, companionship, and HTML.

Shorty went to live in the Onstage Media megaplex with Max and Jeff, where there was always music and where Shorty helped Max and Jeff find and bring together the kindred spirits of the blues and folk music world. They decided to call it "The Mudcat Cafe" because of Shorty's insatiable appetite for catfish gumbo. After a few years, the Onstage Media megaplex went the way of all things (it decided to leave the land of Pennsyls to go on a busking tour), but this didn't deter Max, Jeff, or Shorty (and his many progeny), who relocated the Mudcat kingdom to the first level sub-basement of Max's country estate.

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: frogprince
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 04:34 PM

And, to paraphrase some recent discussion about "Myth" on another thread, Carol has conveyed the TRUTH in a profound way, whether or not it has anything to do with the literal facts.

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 06:47 PM

I sometimes wonder where the Mudcat is heading.

I mean, it's taken on a life of its own, and things are happening which weren't predicted. Mudcat moves into the Real World.

And then up ahead in the other direction there's Virtual Reality and the Mudcat.

And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 06:54 PM

Yep, it's a-comin' round at last.

...As far inland as Stourton Tower,
And Camelot, and starlit Stonehenge.

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 09:03 AM

Nice encapsulation, CarolC .... It is always such a nice treat for me when I can compliment you.

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 10:22 AM

Will that Virtual Reality Kevin alluded to include virtual smell? If so, will the arrival of GUEST upon a thread be accompamied by the strong overpowering odor of asshole?

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 11:25 AM

At the Getaway last month, I asked Max if he had any idea when he invented Mudcat in 1996 that all this would develop, that we could become such a vast and vibrant community.

He said that he had a very clear picture of what would develop, and that Mudcat is exactly as he imagined.

Sometimes, I don't believe Max.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: MMario
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 11:38 AM

Didn't his nose grow about six inches when he said that?

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 12:57 PM

What would you expect God to say?

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Big Mick
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 01:52 AM

Joe, I was standing beside you when he gave that answer and I almost laughed out loud. I remember, as you do, when the thing started taking off. You and I were doing the concerts in West Chester, after the Getaway. Remember how,.... what's the right word? .....remember how the weight of what it had become weighed on our young friend? He was beginning to realize what an important part of folks lives it had become, and the responsibility of it all was certainly a load to bear.

yeah, I agree with your closing assessment. But I will say this. This wonderful young man embraced the responsibility, and has kept it going. I love that man.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: KT
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 02:30 AM

Welcome, 12 string Stan!!

I do hope you'll become a member and get to know this place even better. Be prepared...You're in for a wild ride!

KT

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Blissfully Ignorant
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 10:24 PM

I've never had catfish. My friend had one as a pet, but she may have been a little angry if i'd eaten it...

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 09:42 AM

BI, you've got a real treat in store! Catfish, well prepared, is wonderful. Roll it in cornmeal and fry it. Or try this:

Get some cat at the store (you can used farm-raised) -- chunks are okay, or get fillets. Doesn't matter.

Make sure all the skin is off it (catfish don't have scales). Use a pair of pliers to remove it if you have to.

Put the fish in a baking pan and cover it in cheap lager beer. I have used Old Milwaukee, but 'most any cheapo lager will do.

Let it marinade in the beer for about 8 hours. During this time oil will appear, floating on the beer. Skim this off, or pour off the oily beer and add more (heck, at ten cents per 12 oz. can...). When very little or no oil appears the fish is ready to cook.

Cook it in your favorite way. Baked, broiled, fried, or eat it raw -- doesn't matter.

Removing the oil from the catfish changes the flavor to that of a very mild, lovely taste and you wouldn't believe it's cat unless you saw it done. You can even chuck it into a fish stew or chowder.

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Tinker
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 11:34 AM

Rapaire, I'm beginning to understand my mudcat addiction a little more clearly. Continual marinade in beer...skim off...add more... No wonder this place often has such a mild,lovely taste only to be occasionaly surprised by an oily bitter bite.... It's on days when someone forgot the marinade...

tinker

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: MMario
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 12:04 PM

it does sound like a recipe for a mudcat gathering....

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Blissfully Ignorant
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 02:35 AM

I'll try it if can get hold of it! Not too common in deepest darkest Argyll...thanks for the recipe! Oh, and i shall have to wear my 'of course i'm 18, you idiot!' outfit to buy the beer! :0)

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: annamill
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 08:02 PM

I wonder how it would taste using the black vile stuff..Guiness. My Mom was from South Carolinah and she'd Southern Fry fresh caught at Grampa's farm. I remember it being very tasty. Except for flour, I don't know how she made it. Another something Lost...

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Tannywheeler
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 08:21 PM

Hey, BI, does the mention of Argyll mean you hail from Scotland? Wow!!! No catfish in Scotland????!!!! How have y'awl lived this long??!! Lots you buy in America is "farm-raised" now, but my hubby goes fishin' sometimes and gets a few. (Not in a while now.) Hard to imagine life in a place without catfish. That's part of what's so good about this place -- makes you consider stuff you couldn't imagine being real. Stretches the perceptions. What a workout.    Tw

Subject: RE: BS: History Of Mudcat
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 09:31 PM

Maybe that's why the Scots were so cranky all the time. No catfish.

(England even allowed cranky old Scots to be murdered without any punishment. It was called "Kill a Cranky.")