Weel, I seemed to have missed out on most of the fireworks of the last couple of days but I've gleaned a lot form the aftermath and I would like to give you my three fingers' worth of two-cents plain.

My handle, Slag, comes from growing up in the welding business, not because I like to flame folks, though at times some might argue that it runs that way too. I actually took it from a game character I created named "Slaag Hammer". My first job in my Daddy's shop was chipping slag off the welds with a chipping or "slag" hammer.

Folk music, like any art, must have an audience of more than one. What you are doing is COMMUNICATING via music and poetry/prose, the various aspects and views of our cultures and societies. There is an age element here too. We have young folks and old folks. We have middle age folks and we have wee little folks and each one might be considered a sub genre of the general "Folk Music". Each has its place. The song and the singer my be full of spit and vinegar or in quiet retro-flection from atop a mound of years which only the oldster can truly relate. Doesn't matter, it's all part of the mix. Where is the argument? "We do it this way" "We do it that way." Why, yes you do! Are you saying there is only one way? Hey, it's a big wide field.

The other issue seems to be one of nastiness. Perceived and real insults and slams, slagging, if you will. Remember who your brothers and sisters are. You can have a difference of opinion without attacking the individual, their intelligence or integrity. Simply make your case. Others will either agree or disagree. It's kind of like the music itself. Those to whom it speaks will hear it. Others will sing a different song. Why can't you have both and be happy and be glad that the genre is so accommodating.

Yeah, I know that is kind of simplistic and some of the issues are more about identifying and defining just WHAT FOLK IS and WHAT IT AIN'T. But even there you can be a gentle person about it. Knowing how to prevent war begins within the individual.

2 cents, plain.

Tom