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

[Cljdm@xxxxxxx]

Hi all,
 
A BIG thank you to all who have created, maintained and thoughtfully  
contributed to this tremendous harmonica list throughout the years. It  has 
taught me more about music than I could have ever imagined when I signed on  
(thanks for the tip Rob). I cannot believe it has been 20 years!
 
thanks to all,
 
Chris Mastakas
 
 
In a message dated 10/8/2012 8:21:08 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
EGS1217@xxxxxxx writes:

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
>