Sub-title: The Scope of Mechanical Music Digest

I don't disagree at all with John Farrell's thesis that the interest
tying us all together on MMD is music: largely old-time music.  Within
that large circle there are many divergent special interests, and we
all need to remain tolerant of discussions that don't speak directly to
our personal special interests.

The kind of tension that exists here is also reflected in the
organizations.  Both AMICA and MBSI periodically get complaints from
members that "too much attention is being paid to [ fill in the blank ]
and not enough to the really important field of [ the member's personal
interest ]."

Whenever I write another note about band organs, I am a tiny bit
conscious that it may not interest Nancy Fratti as much as it might
Bill Black.  But when postings are clearly titled -- and Jody and
Robbie ensure that they are -- one can always pick and choose from
what is usually an amazing daily digest that has something for
everyone.  If it doesn't, it's your own fault.

As for the technicalities, interest in them go back to the beginnings
of the mechanical music field.  And we know that Stoddard and Hickman
in more modern times were concerned with hammer velocity.  Personally
I still bemoan the loss of Craig Brougher to this list because he
combined, to my mind, an amazing analytical ability with solid
craftsmanship, aimed toward delivering the music that John Farrell
and all of us here appreciate.

Matthew Caulfield