I heartily agree about songs seeming to be ebbing away. As most of you know, singing is my main interest, although I have been partaking in a (mostly Irish) session since 1995. I think we have a great session here, but I recall that a few years ago, there were more breaks in the instrumentals, for a song. I sense that one of the main singers in the session, who is very good and has a great memory for songs, has sung less since he picked up whistles and flute. He's great at those, too, but I really miss hearing the songs. I am one of the few who sing at the session, but I started a separate monthly song circle a year ago, just because I felt there was a need for more time set aside for singing. Very few people come to the song circle compared to the instrumental session.

When I grew up, people in my home would sing as they went about the house, doing daily tasks, and we would sing for our own fun. My mother's family were an example for that, too. The guitars and piano were there for tunes, but the voice is always with you. It just seems like singing in the US has been pushed out of ordinary folks' experience. People listen to recordings instead of singing themselves, and the interest in old songs has waned.

Alice