Tunesmith, thanks for refreshing this thread.

Your doing so gave me an opportunity to re-read it. And as a result of reading this thread again, I realize that I owe a long overdue apology to Barry Finn for my curt response to the questions he asked in his 06 Sep 08 - 03:20 AM.

Among the questions Barry asked were these:
"Why can't we get more examples of more 'roots' music....There's certinally enough of it in the past, why not now in the present...?

What about songs from railway workers of color, all the track lining gangs. Where the songs of the gandy dancers & the levee workers, the convicts, the songs & music of the slaves, mule skinners & drivers... where did it all go &

why is no one of color doing this music today? . Why aren't there more Black people interested in & playing & singing folk music?"

-snip-

When I started this thread I was in a "don't want to think heavy thoughts-mood. But that's no excuse for my brushing Barry's questions off, although admittedly he did not direct his questions to me. However, as the thread starter and the only self-identified Black person posting to this thread, I now believe that I should have at least briefly addressed Barry's questions.

I believe that those questions are legitimate, and I believe that that subject is certainly worthy of discussion. And that discussion may be better suited for its own thread. However, more people may read those kinds of posts if they're located within a "feel good" thread such as this one.

I'll send a private message to Barry regarding this, and also say in this public thread "Barry, "I'm sorry for my response to your questions".


Let me also belatedly say "Marymac90, I appreciate your responses to Barry's questions".

**

In my next post to this thread, I'll briefly share my opinion regarding what I think is the essence of the questions that Barry raised.