Animaterra

Congratulations! I remember getting my Jeffries- I couldn't put it down! Play it in good health!

I've had good luck on Travelocity.com

Good for you! Isn't it a wonderful instrument??

That's hysterical, Howie! Why doesn't American tv ever feature morris dancers?? (no, don't tell me- I already know!!)

Oy, Mark, this brings back memories of my ex-mother-in-law! The only music on earth for her was that played on WNEW FM from NYC (now mourned as it was taken over by talk radio, but at the time it played nothing but hits from the 30s and 40s). At the time I didn't appreciate the richness of the musical offerings, but I guess I'm beginning to now. I can hear her now, crooning off-tune as she washes the dishes to the strains of the tinny radio... Not such a bad memory after all!

Me! My hand's up! I've met you, Mark, and I think you'd still be adorable in lederhosen!!

Happy birthday to you, too, Bruce! All good birthdays last for several days at least!

Happy birthday dear Wendy! Here's a song for you:

Yes indeed it's a lovely town! I've traveled through Groton to get to Littleton quite a bit lately to visit a certain gentleman I've been getting to know rather well... So, Mark, let me know next time you're going to that session- I just might show up too!

Helen, Alan, et al, I am quite recovered over the loss of my bunny's ears. In fact, I have gone to the Dark Side, now that M&Ms are available in dark chocolate!! Thanks for the web page advice; in my spare time ( ) I'll look into it!

It reminds me of a review I read in the local paper the other week of the duo Atwater Donnelly. The review said they played "an astonishing array of unusual instruments" and went on to list mountain dulcimer, tinwhistle, banjo, mandolin.... I thought, "those aren't unusual instruments!"... And then I thought, "oh, yeah, to most folks I guess they are!" Wasn't till later that I realized that the newspaper got the quote right off Atwater Donnelly's web site!

The rest of the bunny is just fine, thank you!!!!

Now THAT'S my kind of sweet spot!

A web site! I feel like thumping my head and muttering "Doh!" I hadn't even thought of that! Great suggestions, everyone! Mark, my friend, you've taken my query to a level beyond what I'd been thinking, but have given me good food for thought. Henk, it's true, we need to be careful what we wish for - we're already the two busiest people I know, just dealing with the rest of our lives! Alan, your advice is sound as always and I will remember that the next time my printer eats my feeble attempt at business cards (the same printer took the ears off my bunny avatar which I had just added to my own personal business cards- not to mention the top half of my name!). I definitely want a good set of photos, and know some good local amateur photogs with good equipment who might be open to barter. But a web site... do I have to learn HTML as well as airs, jigs and reels???

My duo partner and I are finding that people actually like to hear our music! We're just starting to get invited to play at events. We're beginning to wonder if we should produce a flier, or something like a large business card (3'X5', for instance) with information about ourselves and our music, contact information and so on. Have any of you done this? What seems to work? We don't even have a demo cd yet, but we hope to work on it soon. What are your favorite methods of getting the word out?

Nelson Town Hall in my own little village is the best place I've played as far as acoustics go. It's a 200-year old wooden building and it just rings.

I'm glad you're managing to play, Robin, in spite of your wound. And just in time for morris season!

Hi, Mark! Yes, it is cool! We already knew we had an international appeal Now we're finding out just how much more than we knew!

Thanks for the narrative, Dave! I sure wish I coulda been there. It was the weekend of my big concert, and I just couldn't have done all the driving and playing and been home by 5 with enough energy for the concert on Saturday. But I thought of you all, and hope there'll be another one!

Happy birthday, Jim (And Roy and Stephen). I took a walk in your honor- and I'll squeeze a few tunes in a bit.

Oh, Mark, I'm blushing! I felt great about the singing workshop, and agree that the power of the voices in that room was tremendous. And the age range- from young kids and teens (Goth and all) to elders, gave me hope for the future. The other highlight for me was my 10 am concertina/harp workshop. A noted anglo/English concertinist and singer sat through the whole set (which fact rattled me a couple of times- every time I looked up, there he was!). The next day I asked him, "So.....????" His reply, after a thoughtful pause, "Well, the only thing was.... the tunes were too short! You should have made each tune twice as long!" so I guess I done ok! I didn't get to enough workshops, but it was wonderful meeting Mark and family, seeing others at the Button Box- I never did get anywhere with bells on because after my morris set, which was my third performance of the day, I changed out of my kit and hit the cafe for FOOD! So I missed the Celtic singaround, and lots of others. But got to sing with Lynne Noel and other fine singers in the courtyard on Sunday afternoon. What a weekend! I'm still floating!

I've got my bells but can't find the rest of my morris kit- and I'll be dancing, not playing, as few members of my team can be there! Oh, well, I'll pull something together. I'm leaving in an hour- I'll see some of you soon!

This one's serial # is right next to the one I had before I got my Jeffries. If my deaar Jeff hadn't come along, I would have been perfectly happy with the Marcus forever- it has a sweet, strong tone, handles well, and is a pleasure to use.

Good for you for trying! It must be so frustrating- much harder than when you first were learning. But keep at it, and know that we're rooting and cheering for you all over the globe! (three cheers!

I'd love to do Sidmouth as well- we'll see what my daughter and the itinerary permits!