I have been playing Irish music since the early 70's. Both of my parents are Polish but I really enjoy Irish music so that is what I do. Over the years I have run into a lot of static from some Irish folk who think that if you are not Irish you are tolerated but you don't really count. I've met other Irish people who couldn't be more open and supportive.

I'm also a singer and I find that I treat songs very differently from tunes. I tend to not sing Irish rebel songs and I prefer not singing in a fake Irish accent. I don't sing rebel songs because they represent a close connection to politics. Since I'm not Irish myself and have not experienced what the rebel songs are about I feel uncomfortable doing them. I also fee that you need to be very careful of what group of people you are singing to.

My daughter (who is now fifteen) has been studying Irish step dancing since she was three and a half. She has been very successful with it but it has been my perception that in certain situations, say formal dance competitions, the kids with Irish names seem to win more often.

Getting back to instrumental music, though, especially when you consider that much of Irish music survived because of America, I am annoyed at those that indulge in musical bigotry.

radriano