What is the role of the artist in society?

One answer is that you have the right and the obligation to express yourself at all times to all audiences. To do less is unethical and being a prostitute. No one tells you what to sing (or paint, or say).

But if you feel this way, you will severely limit the number of people you can get your message to. Also, you may starve, which you may cosider admirable, but it will severely limit your ability to get your message out.

Another approach is to consider each venue on a case by case basis and decide how far you can go this time at this place. If you think you can go all the way, do it. If you think performing at this venue puts some restrictions on what you can sing or say, tone it down as far as you have to. This approach allows you to continue to perform and it allows you to get as much of your message as possible to the maximum number of people. You'll be wrong some of the time and you will understate your message or, going the other way, you will not perform at that venue again like in the Linda R. case.

Some will call this approach immoral and being a prostitute but it is a very practical approach that works. We once opened for Rosalie Sorrels in a concer situation and we and she let it all hang out. On another occasion, we shard the bill with her at a facility owned and operated by the federal government and she and we toned it down considerably.

So, maybe the answer is: The role of an artist depends on the gig.
(do we sound like politicians, or what?)

Bev and Jerry