Erica,

Three important points:

1. I love ya. You're one of my favorite performers. And you are certainly someone who does not kow-tow to the self-appointed folk police. You know whom I mean.

2. I didn't "dog" Jerry Garcia. I love him, too. And I love the Dead. But when Jerry was playing dynamite guitar and banjo with various old-timey and bluegrass groups he made bupkas. Ditto for a zillion other one time folkies whom I didn't mention, such as John Phillips, Peter Tork, and Jimi Hendrix (pre-England, pre-"Are You Experienced?" days as a straightforward bluesman).

3. I really look forward to our Woody Guthrie Birthday Bash on 7/15/01. Meanwhile, have a great time in the UK. And visit Cecil Sharp House and Sharps Folk Club.

--- Steve