Downunder we get very fwe inetrnational artists, especially of the blues variety but when they come down, we usually pack out the clubs or concert venues.

Years ago I had the priveledge of meeting Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee. They told me that when they were playing at home in San Francisco they would be lucky to fill a local coffee lounge for a gig. Here at that time they half filled a stadium.

Hmmm.... let's see ...

I had a major musical crush on her when I was about 15 (in 1966) when she was with the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, as Maria d'Amato. I'd guess she was then in her early- to mid-twenties.

So I'd say she's probably in her very early 60s now. She's still cute and feisty, and projects much more of a Hot Blues Mama vibe than an Italian Grandma vibe.

Yes, she's still recording. I picked up her newest CD, "30 Years of Maria Muldaur - I'm a Woman" at the gig. (It's more like *40* years, but who's counting? It's been probably 30 since her crossover pop hit, "Midnight at the Oasis".) She won a Grammy for an album she did just a couple of years back, whose name escapes me. Check out Amazon or CDNow (if they're still around) and get a copy of either one of these.

For those of us who sing and play, it's really inspiring to hear someone who's better than ever as they head into their 60s. It must be something about loving the blues. :->

(I also saw Sonny and Brownie live when I was in my 20s, as well as Muddy Waters and Lightnin' Hopkins, all at a now-long-defunct wonderful LA folk club, the Ash Grove.)