Apache,

I agree with the Auldtimer, you need to tell us. Why are you involved with folk music? What is it about a festival that attracts you? What is it about the music that appeals to you?

When I was your age (I'm really sounding like my parents) folk music was beginning to show it's "age". Back in the early 70's there was a diversity of music. Commercial radio was not as involved with labeling and playlisting as it is today. However, there weren't as many festivals as there are today. Among my friends, we would love to "discover" songs and artists that we would turn on our peers to. Does any of this happen these days? MTV and radio highlight the flavor of the minute and it is very difficult to find new talent among the mainstream.   Radio has become so strict, that only the non-commercial stations are offering an alternative, and even that is changing.

Sorry for getting on the soapbox, but your wonderful message has opened up a vein. The music obviously can't be changed to be more attractive to youth.   The youth need a reason to change to the music.

I host a radio show on WFDU-FM, and this week my guest is Frank Hamilton. He talks about folk music and gave it the best definition I've ever heard. Folk music is a social contract. Before the folk revival put the attention on the performer, folk music was something people did to entertain themselves.

Maybe the answer, my friend, is not blowing in the wind but rather in getting your friends together to MAKE music. Play a guitar or a banjo, or sing an accapella song. Maybe none of your friends play instruments, well neither did mine. We just sang along to the 8-Track, belting out Simon & Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell and Dylan at the top of our lungs. Turn on your friends to new songs and artists.   It will spread.

Folk music doesn't need good P.R., it needs a good reason.   It is what you make of it.