Quick note re: 15-year-olds trying to sound like Kate...um, for the most part, I think trying to sound like their influences is mainly what 15-year-olds do. :) I can only wish I'd had Kate around when I was fifteen. I could tell you who *I* tried to imitate, but then I'd have to kill you. ;)

(Hint: "Lost In Your Eyes." *shudder*)

I sincerely hope anyone who watches "Matt Hyland" will agree that I've managed to shake off *that* particular influence. *grin* Oh, and incidentally, I first heard that song from Kate Rusby, but I then fell in love with and adopted the original melody as sung by Andy M. Stewart rather than Kate's version. So I think I'm capable of being objective about her.

Anyway, even if you do regret the imitations, I don't see why you hold it against Kate. Should she be faulted for being a compelling enough performer for people to want to imitate her? Should she go around saying, "All right girls, this is MY sound and I don't want anyone else ripping it off?" These arguments always end up smacking of resentment of someone's success, to me.

M