Folks, bear with me, please. I think I'll indulge myself and mix a few metaphors!

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Here in the middle of the USA, there is one festival that presents traditional music. The University Of Chicago Folk Festival happens every February. It began in 1961 --- and it continues on...

Other than that one glorious example, I cannot think of another festival or coffeehouse or bar or house concert that is even 50% trad. There is no radio show in the Midwest that features traditional music either.

Granted, I have been out of the loop for over a decade, but no list of venues that I see, and I do see a few, would by any stretch be classified as an example of a traditional operation. I feel that's sad on several levels, but mainly, to me, it is disheartening to see so many being mis-educated. They know not what they do---and that is promulgated and perpetuated as gospel until everyone, thinking they are correct----nay, BELIEVING that they are correct--- everyone loses their houses, banks collapse, GM fails and we are caught in a chaotic downward dumbed-down spiral of depressed and ignorant people.

And it all could be avoided if we stay with the basics, perform with talent and use common sense. Indeed, you cannot sing taditional ballds and not continuously learn great lessons from history. And as we all know, history repeats...(It just costs twice as much, at least, every time around!)

Again, only by using and performing the traditional basics of the game, then, and only then, alas, will the Cubs ever win the World Series.

Art Thieme