all very well, but why do we find some of you rejoicing in the loss of work for professional musicians, when the miners welfares closed.

Folk musicians, I might add. Paul Downes and Phil beer had played on about 80 country albums for labels likw westwood and tank - road albums for gigging artists - and they probably went on to do half as many again.

The country music scene was as valid a form of expression for the mining communities as Tommy Armstrongs ballads, or the brass bands, or concertina bands. Merle travis's dark as a Dungeon was known by virtually all English miners.   Also the redneck anthems seemed to strike a note with communities of people - that knew they would never be your first choice quaff reall ale with, and sing Byker Hill to Bartok style rhythms.

we're not talking about gutter entertainment here, we're talking about a cultural phenomena that you lot said bollocks to, cos it didn't fit in the boxed set of Martin Carthy's three million forgettable ditties.

PS Art, you're a Chicago lad, surely your Irish pals warned you about the obnoxious Brits.