The Rabbi is no trad snob, I assure you. I can assure you that good music in the folk tradition style will get his attention as much as trad folk will. But folks that play modern rock with acoustic instruments and label it trad or folk won't get past the front gate. I have met Rabbi Sol. Between what we read here, and what I know of him having met him, I would say what you have here is a very decent man, a person of discerning tastes with regard to this music, who doesn't want to be rude. He is using his online musical community to perform a gut check to make sure that he is on the right track. To that, I would say you are doing a great job, Rabbi Sol, as evidenced by the fact that your house concert series is getting much attention. I would reinforce what I and others have said. A simple "thank you for submission, it is not what we are looking for" is fine. I know you would be gracious in that.

All the best,

Mick