I am familiar with the venue Jerry speaks of in his opening remarks. It is not unlike lots of other coffeehouses, except for the fact that they ask that people do not talk during the performances (there is a room full of old comfy couches upstairs where people who want to visit can sit). While it is true there are lots of young people spewing there (I heard a young man there who could not have been more that 14-15 singing in no uncertain terms about unrequited love), the players run the gamut from week to week with some even travelling from Boston or New York to play their 2 songs. A few weeks ago and 11 year old girl played guitar and sang two songs she had written, and she brought the house down. I have found that regardless of the level of performance, the reaction is one of nuturing and/or appreciation. I have always thought the responsibility of connecting with the music lies as much with the listener as with the performer. While I may not care much for some of the music that is played, be it of the belly-achin' variety, or rap, or hip-hop, etc., if I look around the room there is almost always somebody who is diggin' it. One of the beauties of this particular venue is the 2 song limit. The suffering is short.

dw