I have a real hard time drawing the line between country and folk — and between blues and folk, for that matter. Most people consider Hank Williams Jr. country or country-rock. So what do you do with a song like Two Dot, Montana or some his other "story" songs? Or John Anderson's Sometimes An Eagle? And where do you put people like Johnny Cash and June Carter? Merle Haggard? Ian Tyson?

Some posters above have tried to define country and/or folk songs by themes, instrumentation and other things. Doesn't work.

Same with blues. Listen to the actual songs of Mance Lipscombe, Mississippi John Hurt, Leadbelly, Big Bill Broonzy, Josh White and sort through what percentage are actually 12- or 16-bar blues. Bet it's not very high.

Is there a difference? There is in my mind, but it has a lot more to do with presentation — style, vocal and instrumental and phrasing — than with any genre of songs or instrumentation or particular singers.

If we turn loose of the urge to pigeonhole musical forms, we can enjoy a lot more styles and then we only have to decide what's good music and what isn't. Makes life a lot simpler.

cheers,

david