Perception IS reality...the truth is just another point of view. Clearly not original, but an idea I subscribe to. Frankly I've looked long and hard for an alternative classification of my music -- I'm a singer/songwriter who performs 90% original work, either solo or with my band. It's music with a message, (no not the navel contemplating kind), historical tale-telling, observations of people and places, or environmentally oriented stuff. It's played on acoustic instruments at coffee shops, galleries, and "folk" festivals. I can't count the times of heard from new listeners "I didn't know *that* was folk music!" They always seem to expect Burl Ives singing "Big Rock Candy Mountain" or "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore", or else the tie died, drugged out psycho-spiritual fringe stuff. I enjoy almost all of the conglomeration of styles that we call folk, but I also think a significant number of potential listeners do harbor pre-conceptions which keep them away. My approach has been to encourage the reluctant to give us a try..and we've broken down more than a few stereotypes...

pg