bob- thank you so much for the post! you are a super guy, and friend and like so many many other call makers and collectors your words are very humbling to me. you are correct - i have expressed a desire to the staff at nationals to no longer compete for the earl mickel award. eight times is boardering on "crazy". i have suggested a formation of a masters class that would be seperate from the main competition. my hopes are that this would create some movement in the ranks, and allow tentative competitors to jump in. i also thought that if this idea cultivates, it could free up some pretty qualified potential judges. with that said, i am additionally planning on teaching workshops on the call competition floor each year for free. carving, painting, scrimshaw, wood burning, etc. might be of some interest to call makers. the initail conversations with charlie, karen, and earl, have been well received. my hopes are that things will progress. dave
