Well it seems to me that there are more and more really good traditional fiddle and banjo players appearing these days. I think it's actually the opposite of a rut. The overwhelming availability of music to learn on recordings - especially releases of old and new fiddlers, is producing a lot of enthusiasm amongst players. Over the years when these recordings become available , you get to hear what folks are playing at the festivals from year to year. For quite a while it was Tommy Jarrell tunes, then John Salyer tunes, then Ed Haley tunes, now West Virginia tunes are really popular amongst the jamming crowd. A generation ago all we got to hear mainly was Charlie Poole, Dave Macon, The Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers and a few new stringbands who drew their material from what they could listen to. Thanks to these bands who managed to listen to a lot of good 78's- the music became alive again, and still more and more of these great old recordings are being remastered again. I wouldn't worry about the singing. The singers are still out there - and better than ever. And if you ever come to my place near Toronto - we'll do some singing - (and we'll play some new fiddle tunes too). I think the traditional part of old time is in good hands - but I'm not sure about old time music's evolution - now that's an interesting topic! Arnie Naiman