Re: [Harp-L] Peter Ruth at SPAH (WAS SPAH - who's going?)

[The Iceman <icemanle@xxxxxxx>]

Can you imagine feeling the animosity from attendees at SPAH and still following through and doing your best? It is never easy being the pioneer scout out there in injun territory opening a new frontier, coming home with arrows in your back but still alive and kicking. Without guys like these, there would have been no westward ho the wagons or diatonic influx into SPAH.


Hip Hip Hooray for the unsung heroes that push the boundaries against opposition (status quo) and clear a path towards future evolution.





-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Hildebrand <airmojoken@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Peter Madcat Ruth <madcat@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sat, Jul 23, 2011 6:05 am
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Peter Ruth at SPAH (WAS SPAH - who's going?)


I was at the 1980 SPAH convention, along with other Youngstown, Ohio friends, 
George Miklas, Mike, and Pixie.

Madcat, you were a BIG hit with most everybody there, especially us diatonic 
harp players.

I will never forget it, and I've been a big fan ever since.
 
And meeting all those great harmonica players was a real pleasure for me, having 
only been playing for a couple of years.

Hard to believe that was 31 years ago !

Ken H in OH

----- Original Message -----
From: Peter Madcat Ruth madcat@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

My first appearance at SPAH was in 1980 at the 17th annual convention in 
Southfield, MI.
Having a young (31 year old) diatonic player at SPAH was extremely controversial 
at that time.
A sizable portion of the audience stood up and left the hall in protest just 
before I went on stage.
But I definitely had some strong support: Danny Wilson, Pete Pedersen, Jerry 
Murad and Don Les all came down and sat in the front row to cheer me on.

Peter Madcat Ruth
Musician - Grammy Award Winner
madcat@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.madcatmusic.net
www.youtube.com/user/petermadcatruth