Editorial

If you look at the the masthead of this issue, you'll note a special number -- Vol. XXXV, No. 12. That marks the completion of 35 years of publishing The Mississippi Rag -- 33 years as a print publication, two years as an online publication. We've had a website since October 1997, thanks to webmaster Jeff Holman, and it now averages 10,000 visits a month. The RAG continues to have a large international readership, and many of our print subscribers have remained with us through our various transformations.

It's amazing to me that 35 years have passed since the first RAG pages were laid out in my basement. My remarkable sisters, Debbie Peterson and Jody Hughes, and my ex-husband, Dennis Johnson, working as support staff, made it possible for me to carry out the dream of creating an international print RAG. And, for the past two years, webmaster Jeff Holman and Dave Lindquist of Protype Design have joined forces with me to create RAGs that have one foot in history and one foot in the new world of the Internet. Their technical expertise and truly inspired thinking can't be overstated, and they are a joy to work with.

To say it's been an interesting 35 years would be an understatement, and to sum it up would be impossible. On other anniversaries, we've published special editions, but this birthday kind of sneaked up on us. Many of you readers have been with the RAG for so many years that we're old friends, and you know the reasons for the changes over the past two years -- onerous postal and printing hikes, elimination of surface mail outside the U.S., and serious health challenges faced by this editor, but there another reason, and it's a very positive one -- the need to expand the traditional jazz and ragtime world beyond its former boundaries. As many innovative musicians and advertisers are learning, there are exciting opportunities to market this wonderful music through musical and visual options available only through the Internet.

Several things have not changed here at the RAG. This publication was created, in large part, to tell the stories of those who make this music. Some are stars, some are not. All are a part of the musical mosaic, however, and it's important to acknowledge their contributions. Also crucial to the RAG has been providing listings of musical activities on an international basis, based on a belief that networking would foster festival development, support jazz and ragtime societies and encourage patronage at venues where musicians were performing.

Our listings have always been free. They have never been based on whether or not someone advertised, but certainly we have appreciated the support we have received from our loyal advertisers over these many years. It has allowed us to meet our significant overhead, which includes regular office expenses, plus paying the many freelance writers and photographers who provide the stream of high-quality articles, reviews and columns that have built the RAG's sterling reputation. (You may be surprised to know that many publications and websites, including prize-winning ones, do not pay writers or photographers. We've never been able to pay what our writers are worth -- they are priceless -- but we believe they deserve much more than kudos for their fine work.)

Following are the wonderful advertisers who have helped bring the RAG to you over the past year. Thanks to Arbors Records, Atlanta Jazz Party, Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee, Music Minus One, West Coast Ragtime Festival, Elkhart Jazz Festival, Frolicking Fido CD, Jazz at the Shedd. Jazzology Records, Louisiana State University Press, Max Morath. Noteworthy Jazz, San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival, San Diego Adult Traditional Jazz Camp, West Texas Jazz Party, Blind Boone Festival, EarlyJas, Jazz at Chautauqua, JazzSea, Summit Jazz, American Federation of Jazz Societies (AFJS), America's Dixieland Jazz Festival, West Texas Jazz Party, Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival, Tribute to Bix, Great Connecticut Jazz Festival, Satchmo Summerfest, Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival, Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival, French Quarter Festivals, Inc., Vince Giordano & the Nighthawks, Oregon Festival of American Music, Sutton's Jazz Party Pianorama, Four Deuces, MH Luxury Alaska Jazz Cruise, North Carolina Jazz Festival, Sutton's Jazz Party Pianorama, Ragtime for Tulsa, Flagmusic, Charles Templeton Ragtime Festival, 1st Annual Arbors Records International Piano Jazz Party, Dave Bennett, Grove Park Inn, Desert Swing 'n Dixie Jazz Festival, Margaret Gillham. Many of these advertisers and others also helped bring the PDF version of the online RAG to you in 2007. It's to their credit that they didn't shy away from the challenges of advertising on the Internet but embraced its potential. I hope you will patronize their events and buy their products.

And, while I am in the listing mode: I have been incredibly lucky to work with writers who have also become dear friends. Those who've contributed top-notch stories and photos in just the past year include, in no particular order, William Schafer, Paige Van Vorst, Bob Byler, David Reffkin, Butch Thompson, John Bitter, Will Shapira, George Borgman, Tom Jacobsen, Duncan Schiedt, Derek Coller, Clarrie Henley, Brian Towers, Murray Bishoff, Michael Steinman, Bob Lynn, Dave Whitney, Marce Enright, Tzlil Waissaltz, Marek Boym, Fred Hoeptner, Tom Moreland, Charley Farley, Tom Warner, LIz and Gayle Richards (Randy's Scrapbook), Dave Robinson, Bill Mitchell, Lew Shaw, Ed Berlin, Hal Smith, Judi K Erickson, Dick Parker, Andrew and Kathy Wittenborn, and Dick Parker. When I look back at past print and online issues, I am astonished and humbled by the dedication shown by these and many others toward making the RAG the best it can be.

Thank you to all mentioned above, and also thank you, RAG readers. Your acceptance of necessary changes, your loyalty, and your encouraging e-mails have been deeply appreciated.

Sincerely,

Editor/Publisher

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Editorial