Adieu- April 22, 2001
After almost 7 years of time, I have come to the difficult conclusion
that it's time to close down The Original Jimmy Buffett Listserv List.
The internet has changed so much in the last 7 years that there are
now many other options for discussing Buffett that weren't there when
I started the list. When I opened the list, the only other option for
Buffett discussion that I knew of was AFJB and I didn't enjoy the
attitude or content that went on there much of the time. I decided
that a Buffett listserv list where people could express their honest
opinions about Jimmy Buffett (and assorted related topics) without
fear of being flamed or harassed would be a worthwhile endeavor.
I think I was right.
Over the last 7 years, I've made many, many friends from all over the
world. I've become friends with a lot of people that I would probably
never have met otherwise.
For that matter, I've become friends with people that I'll probably
never meet "face to face", but that doesn't mean I value their
friendship any less than someone I see all the time. I'll have
wonderful memories of some discussions, posts, disagreements, and the
many things I've learned about Buffett and other topics from people
on this list.
I'm happy I was able to be a part of RACAfest, which raised a lot of
money for a really great cause and never failed to be a great
weekend. For this thanks go to everyone that ever served on the
RACAfest committee, the people that were kind enough to donate to the
event, the attendees that "came down to Cincinnati" so that they
could find out what it was like to be "ready to RACA". The biggest
thanks must to go to Jim Hoehn, Kevin Mulvenna, and Howard Golib.
Their music was what made the event work, but even more important was
their friendship and generosity towards not only the attendees, but
the event and the charity it supported. I can't be too generous with
my praise about these three great friends.
I'm grateful to all list members (past and present) that have passed
through over the years. I'm especially grateful to those folks that
were kind enough to run for and/or serve on the LAB. I also
appreciate the effort of all those that have served as an ALM over
the last couple of years. I'm grateful to the computer people at
Miami that have helped me when I've had problems with the listserv
and they took the time to help me figure out what was going on.
People may wonder, "Why shut it down now?"
As I said earlier, there are many other options on the internet now
that weren't available when I started the list. I don't feel the list
generates the type of discussion that I envisioned when I started the
list in May of '94 or feel the sense of community we had back in the
early days. I'm not trying to blame anyone or be negative, just feel
that the list's time has come.
But more than anything, my interests have changed. I couldn't tell
you the last time I actually put a Buffett CD in the player for my
own enjoyment. My musical tastes have evolved and, IMO, so has
Jimmy's music. His music just doesn't "speak to me" like it did when
I started the list.
It's funny though, the music that I listen to now, I found because of
this list. It directly descended from listening to Jimmy Buffett.
Buffett's music sent me to Todd Snider, who sent me to Jack Ingram,
who got me to Robert Earl Keen, and from there I went to people like
The Great Divide, Reckless Kelly, Charlie and Bruce Robison and Cross
Canadian Ragweed.
But, the long and short of it is, I feel that the list has run it's course.
The one person I forgot to thank when I posted this message on the list
was Jimmy Buffett. He brought a lot of joy into my life and the music
helped me through more than one personal crisis. The biggest thing I have
to thank him for is bringing me to Key West, because if he hadn't, I never
would have met my wife.
Again, thanks to everyone for being a big part of my life for the
last 7 years. Take care and keep in touch.
Happy Trails.
Bill "Big Dog" Lack
Ex-owner of the Original Jimmy Buffett Listserv List