One of the best "folksinger" I have enjoyed is Jo Stafford. She was known as a big band singer and popular during the forties. She was an interpreter of folk music and did it movingly, convincingly and well and she could really sing it.

One thing that some folks are not going to like to hear. There is a disease in the folk scene and it's called "folk snob". It's as rampant as in classical music or in jazz. When I see that, I leave.

Folk musicians from a tradition-based background such as Doc Watson, Jean Ritchie and so many are free of this malady. They have open minds and appreciate varied vocal qualities.

Lighthouse,keep singing forget the "folk snobs". And if you sing with enthusiam, excitement and please an audience, it's a "win-win".

Frank Hamilton