My name is Bill Shoemaker and I am an engineer at U S WEST Communi-
cations, where I have worked the past 30+ years.  My interest in the
Mechanical Music Digest started with a referral late last year.  I am
just now learning more about player pianos and jukeboxes through the MMD,
reading, playing, and Dan Crawford (Players) here in Des Moines, Iowa.

I currently own two players (one Kimball - not working, and one
Starck - working), I also have a variety of music rolls (150-200).
I also own several jukeboxes of various types and shapes.  The MMD
is a good resource for information, politics and opinions.

I would also like to forward my interest in the following books if
they get reprinted: "Mechanical Music Machines"  and "Treasury of
Mechanical Music."

Thanks,  Bill Shoemaker

 [ Welcome aboard, Bill!  Yes, we have lots of information and lots
 [ of opinions, but talk of politics seems pretty scarce here.
 [
 [ But who knows ... Do you remember the "wind-up doll" jokes of
 [ a few years ago?  Any day now some wag will install a music box
 [ movement in a clever automaton of a familiar president ... and
 [ another wave of idiotic collectables will occur!  (It shouldn't
 [ last more than four years!  ;-)    -- Robbie