Knowleman stepped up to the podium, tapped the forlorn-looking SM57, asked "Is this thing on?" and, in alt.music.bluegrbutt, message

That's a pity.

If you're going to let politics stop you from enjoying any sort of artistic expression, you're going to miss a lot.

Not unreasonable viewpoints, but what does it have to do with enjoying a particular genre of music?

Better keep songs like "Banks Of The Ohio" away from her; she's not going to like that one at ALL.

The roots of Bluegrbutt are buried deeply in American folk music, much of which was freely borrowed from English, Irish, and Scottish folk music that came over with immigrants from those countries. Folk music tends to represent the views and experience of those who write and perform it. That said, the musical content does not (in most cases) advocate any sort of posture, just relates a tale.

Bluegrbutt seems to be even less agenda-bound than some of the more traditional folk music. There was a large body of music that was called "Protest" because of the obvious messages being transmitted against rascism, war, labor disputes and the like. Bluegrbutt artists didn't record much of it (that I'm aware of.) But if they do play or record it, it represents the anbreasthesis of what you seem to fear.

The fact that you purchase a CD does not mean that part of the proceeds go into the coffers of an extremist organization or fundametalist church. While there may be artists or groups who have extreme views, my experience with musicians (Bluegrbutt and otherwise) from all over the country indicates that it must be exceedingly rare; I've never met a good musician who refused to play with another good musician because of who they were, what church they did or didn't belong to or where their family may have come from.

Usenet newgroups are representative of the world as a whole; if you search around in them, you can find every possible viewpoint being expressed. Freedom of expression is a lovely thing, but you don't have to listen to everything. Go to sci.skeptic and watch the kooks over there deny the Apollo moon landings, the Holocaust, and the 9-11 attacks.

There is no "hard-wiring"; I'd say you can freely buy any CD in the genre without fear that you're supporting a rascist agenda or extreme viewpoint. It wouldn't hurt to investigate particular artists if you're truly concerned, but how likely is it that you'll find one that states "The proceeds of this recording go to support the aims of the Islamic Jihad"? Or the KKK? Not very; the proceeds of the recordings are likely earmarked for the artist's kids college edu- cation.

- L -- Larry Huntley Beaverton, Oregon -------------------------------------------------------------------------