Today there is a fine line as to what can be called rock & roll and what has now been termed "Americana."

As one who has followed American country music for 40 years and considers himself a historian on the topic (as well a musician) much of what was considered rock & roll has now merged with country music to form the Americana genre. Rock acts such as John Mellencamp, Sheryl Crow, ZZ Top, and even Bruce Springsteen now are widely accepted and embraced by the country music community, it's media, and it's listeners. Realistically, there was always a tie between country and rock from Elvis and the whole Sun records and rockabilly era of Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Bill Haley through George Jones, Waylon Jennings, The Byrds, Burrito Bros., other Gram Parsons influences, Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, and the whole Southern rock segment.

So why do I bring this up? Because American rock & roll, country music, Americana, and folk music are really all one and the same. Now I know some of you warbling folkies out there will probably differ with me, but at this point a song like Heartbreak Hotel is just as much an American folksong today as is anything by Stephen Foster.

So what the hell are you feeling guilty about?