I seem to be somewhat insulated from the demise of the music industry.

I don't listen to pop radio and I haven't been in a place that has a juke box in decades. The number of radio stations I listen to during the day is deliberately small. I listen to my local NPR affiliate (KUOW-FM) for morning news and local discussions early in the day. The station has some excellent interviewers who ask guests the same questions I would ask them. Then, I usually switch to KING-FM, which is a classical music station. Listener supported, so no commercials. One of the afternoon announcers plays classic guitar himself, so he's in the habit of playing a fair number of classic guitar records.

On weekends, I sometimes listen to KBCS-FM, which is another college station. They have a number of programs that feature folk music, and with some frequency someone goofs and plays an actual traditional song or two.

On my shelves, between classical and folk music, I have a good four feet of vinyl records (stacked on edge) and my wife has at least as much. We also have a sizable bookshelf that's full of CDs of various genres. Classical, opera, folk, early music, lotsa stuff.

All purchased legally over time.

We think very carefully before we buy anything new. The last CD I purchased was from a young woman who lives in the same apartment building we do. She's a singer-songwriter and writes some fairly interesting stuff. I bought it from her for two reasons. Good songs well sung, and in the spirit of "support your local musician."

A note on my likes and dislikes as far as my own performing is concerned. Arena-sized venues? Only a couple of times, to crowds of around 6,000. The other singers and I were well received, but I didn't think it was that good a venue for traditional folk music, which is what I sing. I much prefer small theaters, churches, and best of all, house concerts.

I don't think the "music industry" is much interested in things on that small a scale.

Don Firth

P. S. Most of what gets played on pop radio these days sets my teeth on edge. But then, I'm well into my fogeyhood.