As Ron said below:
I would doubt that Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Courso and other beat writers got together for an annual convention to determine how to promote their writing. There were seminal events that enabled their work, and I think we need to find our own seminal events to go forward.




I would agree with that. Which is exactly why I find most award ceremonies quite irrelevent ---and more-so in the alleged folk community. Why are Oscars or Grammy's so important? The reason is that they started as (well, the Oscars anyway) as industry awards and now are, basically, hype and publicity comparing apples and oranges. Me---I go for blueberries.

Sure traditional music is nice to keep alive but let us face the facts---it evolves just like all things in this world evolve from constitutional interpretations to interpretations of Gilbert and Sullivan and Mozart. We are not sitting on the old front porch anymore---those porches have been replaced with condos. Sadly--perhaps. Culturally--who knows. We are also not cooking our food in the fireplace as they did in those good old days commemorated at various restorations.

I love to listen to the old music and at the same time like to play the newer people on the program (TRADTIIONS and SUNDAY SIMCHA) coming down the pike---now a turnpike. By the way I mention the other program (Simcha) only to make a point---Traditional Jewish music has also evolved---there is a lot of great new work out there.

So--to awards. Not to burst baloons. Who cares?   I said earlier that the Oscars, etc; are all about hype now so let no one in that--honestly---minute venue---think of it as a prestigious thing. Hell, I was voted Library Director of The Year for Innovation---Who cared! Those in the phone booth with me.

Let me be totally honest here.   I congratulate Ron on his nomination for the Broadcast award. Prestigious company---well, other than one or two the others I have to question that. If you are curious ---Rich Warren? Susan Forbes Hansen?---OK are you watching the laundry dry?

These venues---here comes the honesty part--are like most organizations---insular and political. Free spirits expounding thoughts on the level of a Phil Ochs, Tom Paxton, and Pete Seeger don't seem---to me ---to be a part of this type of venue.

Bill Hahn
I add---here---gently and quietly on tiptoe---WFDU