You said it, Rick. The old time porch pickers and parlor singers played for the songs, not for publicity and applause. Nothing wrong with a bit of appreciation, since it just reinforces our notion that we're doing a good job, but the first and last thing is making the words and music that live for us, come alive for the listeners.

Listening to the traditional singers is an investment in understanding that sometimes less is more, that a fast, hot instrumentalist isn't necessarily the best interpreter of the music, and that hearing someone who's a master at passing along a feeling and a story can be a better performer than a big-name star.

Joan