Subject: Re: [Harp-L] 20 years ago today harp-l began

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

So I'm only 11 years behind you, George? <G> I joined up  somewhere around 
the Fall of 2004 after being introduced to the list by Steve  Webb. My first 
trepidatious (there's a new one for you, David Payne):) foray  onto harp-l  
was met with the most specific and full answers to  my newbie/silly 
questions by Winslow--I'll never forget his kindness.
 
 
 Over the years I've watched him maintain that same level of  equanimity 
and extreme patience despite some occasionally trying circumstances.  Getting 
to meet him at the first Convention I attended was a huge plus. He  proved 
to be every inch the gentleman inherent in his writings.  It's always 
wonderful to put faces to the written 'voices' on the ell. I met  Jason too very 
soon after-- first being drawn to his posts and then fortuitously  being able 
to attend a show of his here on Long Island; where Warren Bee was  also in 
attendance--Spring of 2005...so we all became personally acquainted  
simultaneously. 
 
 
I was so astounded by Jason's talents and skill--one of my main two  
memories of that night was of Warren and me turning and gaping at each  other over 
Jason's astounding level of brilliance--while many of  the others there 
simply weren't fully aware of what they were hearing (the bane  of being a 
harmonica person)...but as soon as I met Jason during his break  we became 
bonded friends--for life. 
 
 
Going to Buckeye and SPAH later--with the 'harp-l meeting Wednesday; look  
for Michael at the Bar with the Renny'--were amazing times. Michael Polesky, 
 whom I knew saved harp-l's files but never fully realized was one of  the 
original owners, became another 'instant' friend. What an  absolute 
sweetheart of a guy--and a helluva musician. Through the  years I'd see him here and 
there at conventions; later on with  his beautiful family in tow--but I was 
so privileged to have Michael sit  companionably with me for hours before 
his last hugs and tearful goodbye--just  a few short days before he died 
after playing at the  Garden State Harmonica Festival last November. I can't 
imagine what it cost him  to make that trip with his family and Jazzmaan David 
Fairweather in order to  play just one more time and to see and say goodbye 
to old friends. His dueting  with David onstage (and after) were priceless. 
I followed Michael around  and filmed him as surreptitiously as I could. No 
one's yet seen the footage  since I can't yet watch it through without 
tearing up. I'll always miss  him...the most special soul. 
 
 
Through harp-l and the conventions I was made privy to because of it, I've  
made so many life-time friends. You all know who you are. There are a  
scattered few of the other kind too--some long since left, a  couple still 
around who berated me on and off list for, I suspect: 'daring  to post while 
being female'.<G> Takes all kinds, I guess. But the  real men of the list never 
minded behaving well and being fully welcoming both  on and offlist. Bobbie 
G, Michelle and Cara were the only other regular women  posters during those 
years. The harmonica-centric life I live now with my  ostensible stage 
fright easing a bit more every day thanks to so many  I can't count --wouldn't 
have remotely  come about without harp-l and fjm at the helm. Like Bob I'm 
very  grateful and wishing the ell a Happy Birthday/20th Anniversary.
 
Elizabeth
 
"Message: 7
Date: Sat, 6 Oct 2012 18:30:47 -0400
From: George Miklas  <harmonicat@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] 20 years ago today harp-l  began
To: Bob McGraw <harpbob@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc:  "owner-harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx"  <owner-harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>,
"harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx"  <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>

Going back into the archives.... looks like I  registered on the 5th of
November 1993... A year after Harp-L was  born....

gm

On Sat, Oct 6, 2012 at 12:42 PM, Bob McGraw  <harpbob@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Happy birthday harp-l, and thanks  to all the people who gave the time,
> expertise and money to make harp-l  happen and keep it happening. The
> argument could be made that this list  is one of the most important
> developments in the harmonica world,  period. I would not be the player 
that
> I am today if not for  harp-l.
> Thanks...a huge thanks.
> WVa  Bob
>