I think that some truly inspiring poetry is to be found in songs of the string band/balladeer/frontporch/mountaineer/kitchen traditions. Music of unabashed enthusiasm and (usually) honesty. Played for enjoyment for the most part.

True, "Cluck Old Hen" may not be in this catagory but "Cold Rain and Snow" and "Come all you Fair and Tender Maidens" is. To my sense of it, singing is as important and sometimes more important than playing. Listen again to the chain gang singing during the opening credits of O Brother.

When I perform I will do two and sometimes three numbers acacpella. I have done whole sets with minimal accompianment or none. I really love doing "Texas Rangers" and "Handsome Cabin Boy".

I also play "Dixie" and don't sing it's words (insulting as they are).

I've "written" a half dozen instrumentals. When I play them and when I play other instrumentals (breakdowns, etc) I keep it short, maybe as long as two minutes, usually less.

If I am playing for dancers, I play as long as they want me to. I've played "Cripple Creek" for as long as ten minutes, it is physically tiring and mentally numbing.

I'm not sure why I just posted this, It is late and I'm going to bed.

Coyote Breath
(lost my cookie)