Niche market changes and our mission to press on!

 [ Matthew Caulfield wrote in 101121 MMDigest:

> Things are a-changing, and maybe it's time for us old geezers
> to move on.

Matthew -- We need you and your sphere of influence more than ever.
Too many are idle and as a result, the truth of yesterday's artistry
is evaporating at an alarming rate.  When people clamour for change,
tomorrow's generation may be irrevocably altered, by what changes we
empower today, for the worse.  How does one quantify "change?"

Those with a foot in both generations have both the guardianship
and the call to pass along the torch to a contemporary "Zeitgeist"
that may or may not understand the importance of what many of this
list take for granted.  It is important to support this list as well
as maintain the strength of a special niche of music that once gone
can never be restored.

Old Geezer?  More the staunch guardian, restorer and promoter!

Without the support of such as those who know and understand this
"niche market," it cannot endure.  You are more significant than you
will ever realize, my friend!

Even as we do what we can with the museum here in our corner of the
kingdom, we are saddened to see many who sense the change away from
their professional and hobbyist skills turn their backs and simply
walk away.  I trust this season of gratitude many list members will
do their part to support MMD list with their knowledge and financial
resources for the sake of tomorrow.

I am reminded of the story of an old sea captain who inspected the
sailors and afterward told the chief boatswain that his men smelled
bad.  The captain suggested perhaps it would help if the sailors
would change underwear occasionally.  The chief responded, "Aye,
aye sir!  I'll see to it immediately!"

The chief went straight to the sailor's berth deck and announced,
"The captain thinks you guys smell bad and wants you to change your
underwear."  He continued, "Pittman, you change with Jones; McCarthy,
you change with Johnson; and Brown, you change with Schultz.  Now
get to it!"

The moral of the story is -- Someone may come along to promise
"change," but don't count on things smelling any better.

Paul Kealy
http://StentorVox.com/