I first started singing (in public) in about 1985. I'd hear a great song on a recording, think it was wonderful and learn it. Then I'd go to the FSGW Getaway or other music weekend frequented by people who had discovered folk music in the 50's or 60's and I would sing these beautiful songs that were fresh and new to me. Inevitably, there would be someone who would say dismissively, "Oh, Joan Baez did that 20 years ago" or "That's not the way Ewan MacColl sang it!" I almost quit singing; I was shy, and it felt that a criticism of songs that I loved was a criticism of me for loving them. It was hard for me to hear the other people who were saying "Oh, I haven't heard that in years - what a great song!"

There's a reason that some of these songs are or once were "overdone" - it's usually because they're beautiful, funny or timelessly appealing in some way. Now, when I hear someone doing "The Rolling Mills of New Jersey" for the 10,000th time, I wince - but keep my mouth shut... (at least most of the time)