I liked Jimmy Rogers, the Cumberland Three, the Tarriers, and The Kingston Trio. Further back, I probably gained my real interest in folk music through Frankie Lane, who never sang a folk song in his life. Or, how about Sixteen Tons by that ole Pea-picker, Tenessee Ernie Ford, or Muleskinner Blues by The Fendermen. And as far as exuberance and high energy is concerned, the Kingston Trio sounded like they were sleep-walking in comparison to my great favorite, Lonnie Donnegan. Purity is a tough thing to measure. Which is more impure?.. bouncy white-buck folk music, or folk songs backed by the Gordon Jenkins Orchestra? And you think that the Weaver's weren't recording for the money? Or that they didn't want national exposure for their own careers and ego? Do you think that they did it just for their love of folk music? The only thing that's pure on this planet is Ivory Soap and it's only 99 and 44/100ths percent pure. :-)

Jerry