Guest, the "closed doors" that I am referring to is evident in some of the bitter comments about "anti-folk". I agree with others that the article is not an example of good journalistic style - the author is all over the map (must be a Mudcatter!!). The "closed doors" are all the negative comments from people who have not heard a note of the musicians talk about yet they feel comfortable enough to dismiss and ridicule the style.

"Closed doors" exist on both sides. The traditional camp dismiss singer-songwriters as some sort of virus.   The singer-songwriter camp dismisses traditional music as "corny".   What results is an opium-den like existence for both camps.

When both sides meet in tne middle, wonderful things happen. It's not a question of enjoying the music, but one of respect and understanding. One of the best festivals I attended last year was the New Bedford Summerfest. Artists from both sides of the camp were placed onstage and some brilliant sounds emerged.

That doesn't mean you need to bring tubas to the session. It may mean that the person playing the purple electric fiddle at the coffeehouse stops in to that session at the local pub and absorbs and perhaps picks up the standard fiddle to play a few tunes.   It might mean that your bodhran player drops into the coffeehouse and plays a tabla for awhile. It doesn't mean divorcing oneself from the music and style that they love, but rather letting a new experience teach a few lessons.

I'm long winded today. Excuse me! I better try the decaf!

Ron