My open letter to the Keystone Music Roll Company, now posted at my
web site, was in no way libelous or accusative, as anyone who has read
it can see.  It is balanced and gives someone at Keystone an honest
chance to respond if they wish.  There were no bridges burned here.
I would also like to thank so many readers here who have sent me notes
appreciating the effort.  There were too many to thank personally.

I sort-of resent the editor's insinuation that I may have written
something that could get the MMD or myself sued, and that's why it
could not be published here.  If that was the plan, then that is
ridiculous!  When Robbie answered Don Teach in regard to "Piano Roll
Business Economics," on 04/25/02, who assured us that he is not in
fairy-land himself, Robbie seemed to imply to Don that my open letter
was likely libelous, in so many words.

John Tuttle pointed out that even Dave Johnson's calls and letters (the
owner of Schaff and American Piano Supply Co) have not been returned by
Keystone!  I don't that's asking too much, frankly, and I think all
readers of the MMD should certainly be informed and let them assess the
real situation accordingly, and whether it sounds like Keystone is in
business or not.

My letter is all about the custodianship of this nation's only
surviving perforators and that tens of thousands of piano owners are
relying on them for their sole roll supply from here on out.  If you
are curious as to what I wrote, why not just click on the link below
which will take you right there?  Answer the question yourself:  Is
this grounds for a lawsuit?  And if not, then why don't we read it here
in the MMD instead?  It seriously affects everybody.

The future of player pianos depends on the availability of music --
it's as simple as that.  Rolls are a crucial link in the support
network.  Everyone is aware of what happened when Harvey Roehl was
selling Vestal Press to Grace Houghton, for instance, and allowed her
full editorial authority.  Her interests (as she explained to me
personally) were to shift Vestal's direction to other venues, and
exposure for player pianos fell 50% practically overnight.  Even
electronic mediums and interfaces actually rely in large part on a
healthy supply of rolls, because without rolls, players will not be
getting restored any longer.  Those who look for player pianos to own
first intend to play rolls on them, and then may have them retrofitted
with something else in addition.  And rebuilders like myself will be
looking for other ways to support ourselves.

  http://www.player-care.com/cb/keystone.html

Craig Brougher