Rick,

I think it's important to talk about. It puts things in proper perspective. I agree with Dick that these folk artists have to be appreciated for what they contributed but they are not saints. Nor are many of them nice folks probably.

As to "who cares?", Dick, I care. I'm not going to say I don't. When someone does something offensive and indulges in racism, bigotry or meanness, I'm not going to white-wash it.

Good. So we can diffuse a "phoney" idolatry of the folk artist and evaluate his/her contributions independently of their character. Healthy.

Frank Hamilton