Good thread! I'm glad this is a continuing and expanding discussion from the Linda Ronstadt one.

In my years as performer, I think I've been directed by where and to whom I was performing. If one isn't aware of one's audience and how they might be expected to react to what you present, you're likely to do yourself, and them a disservice.

I've performed scripts that were written to educate, and I've performed in some that were pretty much only to entertain.

I have for the most part, preferred the former to the latter, though I certainly hope the former were entertaining as well!!

I think most of us are political in ways we may not even be aware of. Just the choices we make of our material reflect that.

The hardest gig I ever had to do was performing for the Armed Forces in Japan and Korea. The entire time I was "entertaining" I thought I was betraying the pacifist that I deeply feel I am. In all honesty, I did it for the money, and for the chance to go some places I knew I couldn't otherwise afford.

But I did not for one second, think of saying something to reflect my own anti-military feelings. That would have also been a betrayal to the people I contracted with.

..xx..e