Dear Concerned,

Congratulations on your imminent debut in the exciting and challenging world of neurosurgery! I have to admit that I was sceptical when I first wrote you suggesting that you turn your attention to rocket science. I suppose I was speaking from my own lack of success in cracking into the field. But perhaps things have changed since my failed attempts and the medical establishment is finally seeing that folk musicians can make real contributions when it comes to fixing broken brains.

Anyway, regarding your concerns . . . first of all, I wouldn't worry too much about finding time to keep up with your folk music. For one thing you can always persuade Dr. D. Mented and others like him (or her?) that you really need to keep in practice lest your neurosurgical skills wane. Tell him (her?) "Doctor, as you know I've got a pretty tricky frontal lobotomy coming up tomorrow so I really feel I should go home and play some John Hurt in order to be in top form." Hey presto! Off you go for a 6-pack and an evening of working on "Stack O' Lee".

Secondly, please keep in mind that, unlike folk music, neurosurgery is a very lucrative field. What this means is that you can probably get away with doing 2 or 3 operations a year and (assuming you don't get all stupid and buy a Ferrarri and a swanky apartment) spend the rest of your time practicing and maybe get a slot on the summer folk festival circuit.

Finally, once you get firmly established in the high powered neurosurgical world and you start to wondering if you've sold out and left your true folk roots behind you can always re-connect with that socially conscious part of yourself by singing to your convalesing patients! I know that the first thing I'd want right after having someone dickering around inside my skull is hearing a good rousing rendition of the "Mississippi Boll Weevil Blues".

So buck up, Concerned. Looks like you got it all now. Best of Luck. And you know, I've been getting these headaches lately and. . .

Muddy