Folk singers are a funny lot. Some seem to think that "tradition" is the exclusive property of acoustic music. When I first started bringing my gospel quartet to folk festivals, there were those who crinkled their noses when I came in with an electric guitar and amplifier. One friend and great appreciator of my music barely talked to me for several years. In the beginning, I'd sometimes kid around, expressing astonishment that people who love tradition would expect me to accompany a black gospel quartet with a Martin guitar. I mean, how un-traditional can you get? I was reminded of all of this at church this morning. The Messengers were asked to provide the music for a small black church at their morning service. These days, black gospel quartets have at lest eight members Some look like a full orchestra, with bass, drums, lead guitar, keyboards and five singers. We just have our voices, and my completely traditional electric guitar.

When the Pastor introduced us, he talked for a long time about the tradition of gospel quartets. He remembers the time when he was a young boy growing up in the south, where many churches were so small that they didn't have a choir. They'd only hold church once a month, and their music was provided by gospel quartets, who traveled through the region, playing at a different church every sunday. The preacher was bemoaning the loss of that tradition, and repeatedly thanked us for carying on the old traditions.

This Friday night, the Men's Chorus we sing in is doing a few numbers at a big concert. All four other groups are "quartets" with enough fire power to bring down the building. I know that my ears will be ringing for a couple of days, after the concert. Even though the concert is held at the church where we are members, they would never have asked the Messengers to perform. I mean, we don't even have keyboards and drums! What kind of a quartet are we, with only four singers? (Three, these days.)

We had a good time this morning, and while the church is small, the few people who were there had a good time in the music. The older ones remembered the days when gospel quartets were like rock stars, traveling from church to church. It made me feel good, hearing how appreciative they were that we are carrying on the tradition.

Me being a folk singer and all.

Not all traditions are acoustic.