folk1234 and Amergin,Thank you, your quotes from Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger are compforting. Why should I strive to be original anyway? Is my ego so big that I can't be part of the ongoing folk process? I guess these questions every songwriter asks. I feel better now about all those "sounds like thats" that have surfaced in my music. I might even retrieve a few from the recycle bin.
I met Pete Seeger backstage in the summer of 1969, while setting up the sound and lights for another "Summerthing" Stagemobile performance on the Fens in Boston. I was so impressed with his easy demeanor when he asked me where the bathroom was.
Thanks again for your wisdom,
wdyat12