Bill,

I like your idea about retiring to a pub - but could the music we sing be considered "roots" or would it be a proper setting to sing an Appalachian ballad?

I do agree with you that there are more satisfying and nourishing recordings out there - but there is nothing wrong with a tasty appetizer before the main course. I always feel that anything that catches peoples interest and HOPEFULLY gives them a reason to explore further is a good thing. Riverdance was chewing gum as a production - but some people were drawn to re-explore or explore for the first time the "roots" music that led up to that production.

While it is only my opinion, I don't like to knock something for what it isn't. The media and ad agencies may have put a label on O Brother, but I don't think the Coen brothers had any intention on making a movie that would promote folk music. They used it for a soundtrack to help tell their story, nothing more. For various reasons people became hooked, and if it means someone buys a Ralph Stanley CD to hear more that is an unexpected benefit, but certainly not the producers goal.

We have drifted from the topic - which is what is wrong with using the term "folk" music. I use the "f" word whenever I can.

Ron