Now, the ol bobert has read every post in this thread and has come to some conclusions which I should probably just keep to myself but in my tradition of "Post First-Think Later" that I brought over from my blues site... I'm just going to spill my guts. Yeah, I'm not an old Catter. Well, maybe old. But not to the Catbox but... nevermind, I'll pass on the testimonials. What's going on 'round here is the "SEVEN YEAR ITCH". Just funnin', but I did get ya thinkin'. No really. This joint is filled with real creative and talented folks but you all been partying too long together and things have become predictable between you long time Catfolk. Plus, there's too much emphasis on the past and little interest in the here and now of folk music. Ol bobert gotta read folks wringing their hands about the death of folk music. Well, folk music is very much alive but I don't read too many folks who are keeping up. I mean, if some 60's folkie died tomorrow then Catters would burn up the joint postin' just how great they were and the thread would reach a couple hundred and all that. But what if a Robin Fulks, Richard Buckner, Mark Germino, Kelly Joe Phelps, Alvin Youghblood Hart, etc were to die then what? I would suggest that if the long term Catters would put as much effort looking forward as they they do gazing in the rearveiw mirror then they might just find a whole lot of folks trying to carry on the traditions of folk music in a contempory setting. Things change. That's part of the deal. Hey, listen. I'm not saying that traditional music ain't important. I'm just saying that we need to bridge it to contempory folk music or risk becoming another aging angry generation. Look at Pete Seeger out on the road with his grandson. His music is fresh, not because he is Pete Seeger but because he understands the here and now aspects of folk music. Sorry, but if you want new threads you're going to have to step up, listen to the folk music of your kids and figure a way to bridge the gap. And sorry for the rant. I have not been hanging around here too long and I am not trying to act as if I have some inside track on this but like I said earlier, the place is filled with talented and creative folks, many of whom have, like an old album, gotten stuck. I know I'm going to get some blasts for this post but that doesn't matter. I'm pushin' 60 and while still pushing my 18 year old friends to listen to the traditional stuff, am willing to listen to what they have to offer, which, I must admit... is a lot. I'm all done ranting now. Fire away, but reread my post first. Thanks. Peace. Bobert