Why is it that the term "root" beer bothers me? Soumds as though its the reprocessed result of drinking real beer.......geez, that's too graphic even for me.

PEADIE.........Its not about websites, band names, up and coming, or whatever. Its about the music. Folk music does seem to differ some in that respect since the emphasis is on the song and not the performer. We all have artists that we prefer, but tend to think about the songs first. Around here you will find folkies who have been at it for over 40 years. Amongst the 'Catters you will find Sandy and Caroline Paton, Art Thieme, Dan Milner, Seamus Kennedy, Kendall Morse, Rick Fielding and many others who have made their living, such as it is, in folk music for many years. Many other 'Catters are just releasing CD's after playing parttime for many years such as Jed Marum. There are scores and scores of others playing regularly in all types of venues and hundreds more who play and sing several times a week in sessions and song circles. They are all passing on a rich heritage of musical knowledge and wonderful songs. Dick Greenhaus has collected over 8000 of them in the Digital Tradition database, a part of the Mudcat.

Quit worrying about names and websites and publicizing yourselves. Go get the gravel in your own shoes and learn whatever you can from some of these "folkies" around here who have all "Been There, Done That." This is a community of sharing, caring, and helpful people with knowledge of songs, history, musicology, theory, luthiery, songwriting, playing of any folk instrument you'd care to ask about..........Join in and ask, learn, contribute, and enjoy.

Spaw