"FOLK MUSIC IS THE CLUB THAT ADMITS EVERYBODY" *

I have seen less blatant discrimination among the folk community than any group I've either been part of, or observed.

It's obviously reflected (to some folks' great consternation) in the make-up and editorial content of the The Mudcat Forum.

I could NEVER have been part of the "Rock community" when I was 15. Despite being a whizz-bang guitarist and decent singer, I simply wasn't "COOL". I was somewhat homely, about ten pounds overweight, and simply too shy to dance or move on stage at ALL! I WAS amazed that Roy Orbison had broken through, cuz he wuz REALLY dorky, but as we found out, the guy had ASTONISHING drive, and more weird talent to connect with lonely teen-agers that you could imagine.

I sure couldn't have become part of the COUNTRY MUSIC SCENE, 'cause next to THEIR politics, I was a rootin' tootin' COMMIE! These were the "Post McCarthy" times remember. I could play well enough to have Merle Travis say "nice job", but when I was around Country artists I kept my politics to myself.

There WAS a jazz scene in Montreal, but I was too young to get into bars, besides to this day my 'harmonic loves' tend to see anything 'post Bix' as "that weird new stuff". I LOVED listening to Bill Evans, Tristano, and Coltrane, but never on my best day did I have the chops to play it with skill. Besides....when I did ANY kind of dope, I'd just fall asleep.

BUT THE FOLK MUSIC COMMUNITY? I was welcomed, and felt part of something for the first time in my life! Nobody cared if I was shy, was still learning social skills, and WASN'T MAINSTREAM. Tons of overweight folks in folk music.....and ya know what? It must be nice to get together with that "song-circle" once a week and not get dumped on, like the person has, during the week. (a close relative has fought a weight battle all her life, and her stories are very sad, even if you take a hard line like Greg is doing)

Nope, all you need to belong to "The Folk Music Club" is A GOOD HEART. You can even be a Conservative (expect to be in the minority) like Jed and Doug, and .....YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO PLAY OR SING!! You can still be part of the scene by promoting shows running folk-clubs etc, or like my Gal Heather, being an "audience".

The weight discrinination may begin again when someone LEAVES the folk community, for a "Mainstream Music" career, but "THE MAINSTREAM" is another issue entirely. It's fuelled strictly by profits....as folkies we don't have much control over that. But.......some folk like Rita MacNeil, Cass Elliot and a few others have broken through....guess it takes a lotta guts and a lotta talent as well as blind luck.