Jed, I certainly echo your comments. I haved lived both in the North and South, and play both folk and bluegrass music. The Confederate battle flag is not a symbol used exclusively by neo-nazi skinheads, but is highly respected by Southerners for what it is - a symbol of Southern heritage and pride, like Bluegrass. Most of the Bluegrass people I know are hard working everyday Americans, and I resent any characterizations otherwise.

Bluegrass music has been flavored by other ethnic peoples, mostly Irish and Scot, but I would say Bluegrass music is one of the purest forms of American folk expression. -btmp