From you, again.."I play a great deal of genres, both for pleasure and professionally. I fail to see how we as youngsters carry a responsibility for folk music."

Folk is different. It's the music of the people. It comes with a package, not just here, but in the US and Canada too, perhaps more so over there. It comes with a 'family' and when you come into that folk world, you become part of that 'family'. You don't have to come from the right background, or talk in the right accent, although there are always those who bring in such rules and regulations, but we learn to ignore them...You merely begin to let it seep into your soul. You find a support there, a willingness to help, to be friends, to include.

Never ever make anyone feel 'excluded' in the folk world. I've been there, done that, had it thrown at me in huge dollops. It's unpleasant, it hurts, it creates very bad feeling and...it can even risk damaging how someone feels about the music.

Always, ALWAYS **INCLUDE**   In the folk world, it is part of your job, part of your life. There are some in the older folk world who still need to learn that, so please do not think you are being judged on your age, merely the attitude.

I really do wish you and your pals a great future in folk music, I hope you have tremendous fun, and success too.

Good luck.