Years ago, my son the a diehard Rapper, went on a school trip to the South Street Seaport. Anything that took him out of the classroom was welcome. I was shocked when he came home talking on and on about a woman who taught them some sea chanties. The chanties were fun but the song that made the biggest impression was The Golden Vanity. "Mom, the captain let him die and he was my age..."

I played a variety of recordings of it for him. For once I had his musical respect. "You KNOW that song? How come you never sang it for me?"

The lady, who I suspect was one of the Johnson Girls, had found a topic he could relate to. The unfairness of life is an ongoing theme to a teenage boy.

Lawrence never took up folk music but when away from his friends he sometimes even sings along.

So I guess my observation is to gear your music to your audience. Don't sing at them or for them. Draw them in.