Three-four years ago my wife and I were driving crosscountry from Nova Scotia (where music could be found in almost every parking lot, it seemed) to California. One night we wound up at the Interstate motel-restaurant complex just outside Richfield, Utah. When we entered the restaurant I saw in the giftshop a one-page flyer called Guitar News which among other things reminded people that there was a music party every Tuesday night at that very restaurant.

It started at 7. There were about 50 people there, all ages from 9 months to 90 years. About 10-15 people took the part of musicians, mostly guitars but a couple of fiddles, a keyboard or two, accordion, and one woman with an amazing collection of homemade percussion instruments.   They took turns leading songs, which included everything from Frank Sinatra to country hits to hymns, to show tunes to...whatever.   People sang along when they felt like it.   Couples got up and danced when they felt like it, including the 12-y and the 80-year-old who danced together.   There was a dessert potluck.    The party was going strong when I left at 9:30.

I refuse to believe that Richfield,Utah, is the only place that sort of thing happens. In fact, I know it isn't. The San Francisco Folk Music Club newsletter lists 2 legalsized pages in tiny type of events, venues, and get-togethers just in this part of the country every couple of months.

I know that it's really hard for most singer-songwriters or performers to make a living. I wish I had enough money to let them know tangibly how much they add to my quality of life. But that is a separate issue from whether or not folks is still making music.   Most of us occupy a position somewhere between that of performers and that of consumers.