A lot of good that last did my parents, Julie - I've still got a bunch of what were once their CDs, and I'm in 3rd year. Every once in a while they figure it out and ask for them back...

Regarding music appreciation / musicians - A big way I got into traditional music, and still appreciate it, is dancing. Who's foot doesn't tap for lively jigs? I've had dancing contests in the local pub trad. session - who can last the longest! As a kid and still now I went to contra dances, which, at least in Vermont, are being seen more and more as 'cool', or at least not absolutely uncool. If you don't love the music after a night of dancing like that, there's something wrong with you :)

-J