What makes a great performer? I have asked myself that question a million times. It is being an entertainer, is the music enough. Is it how your music touches people, or is it the special effects, dancing girls and mega watt speakers and laser light shows?   

I don't think anyone would question an Elvis, or a Johnny Cash or a host of others we all knew and loved. I saw interviews on TV with Elvis shortly before his death and he said, "I never did know more than a couple of chords" ... I heard Johnny Cash state once " I never could sing a lick". How about a Dylan??

But what is it about them that so many people have liked their music that we all consider great.    If it was the song writing- I am sure there were much better musicians and vocalists that could do their songs and have done their songs.   Take a look at the classic blues guys, most never played more than the 12 bar blues, gruff voices many times off key ... we love them ... look at Tom Waits ... can't understand a word the guy says but I would love to see him in concert...

When I look back at the great country music and compare with today's country music (which to me isn't country music) the vocals are perfect ... the music is complex only because of the major studio talent adding in licks ...but it sure is not the same as some of the old greats ... Why is that?

My point, we love Dylan, or guys like Cash, or Bill Monroe ... or ...Lightfoot, or   (add your own here) what makes greatness in those folks that doesn't seem to exist in most cases today.

I know I would give anything to hear some of the old timers again over anything new right now ... Maybe it is just nostalgic...

Or can greatness only be realized after we ourselves have aged - what are your thoughts?