I love the Kingston Trio.

I still play their stuff and it sounds amateurish but that was exactly the point - so wonderfully refreshing for that time, circa 1957?).

From them I was introduced to Ian & Sylvia, PPM, the original Highwaymen, CMT, Limelighters, and BMT (Bock, Muir & Trickett) and eventually hundreds.

KT was first, then Ian & Sylvia made me a life long folkie. But, I wouldn't have been ready to listen to them without the KT primer.

Their cultural significance has rarely been acknowleged.

They were integral in bridging the gap between the weavers and PPM which led to Dylan and then to Southeast Manhatten becomning the creative epicenter of the planet for a few decades.

KT allowed milions around the world to say, "here's an art form I can participate in. if they let these bosos do it, so the hell can I.

Had it not been for KT, I think acceptance would have been much more difficult for BD.

Says me, Bob P