You know what's funny, is that I was going to refresh the "What is Folk Music thread because of something I saw on TV the other day. It was half time at the opera, and there was an interview with Beverly Sills, Frederica Von Staadt, and of all people, James Galway.

Galway was talking about teaching youngsters music in his home town in Ireland. He said that the usual classical approach was not met well. The kids didn't know what a gavotte or a minuet was. But, he said, teach them jigs and reels and they do well, because it's something they can relate to.

Isn't that the crux of what folk music is? Something the folk can relate to? That's how I see it. What does it matter how old it is or who sings it? There's my .02 worth.

Margarita