This is the first time I've posted to two newsgroups, and although the old-timers and bluegrbutters have a lot in common, I hope I don't start a conflict between the groups with their different perspectives. I didn't realize most responses will get posted on both newsgroups... Suzy's (Cleoma) response is probably about my own sense of it, except for sympathizing with the instruments that can't be heard, as I mentioned initially. At most of the jams I attend, the sound quality overall could be greatly improved if strumming any instruments was eliminated, particularly by rhythmically challenged individuals (unfortunately they mostly don't know who they are). But of course that leaves out the folks who just know how to strum (okay, mostly singers, right?), and the world doesn't conform to our wishes, anyway. When it comes to performing groups, they can try any combination they like, and the market will decide, and eventually musical history will record what was more successful and less. That's how bluegrbutt differentiated itself from both Old-time and country and western... I remember I was pretty put off by the Red Clay Ramblers when they appeared using trumpet and piano, in spite of some of their fine old time fiddling. And much as I liked a lot of the musicians on Will the Circle be Unbroken (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), the NGDB itself was too modern for my tastes... That said, I like the Grateful Dead, so there's no accounting for tastes... I often wonder how to reconcile my pbuttion for the Dead with my pbuttion for old time. I was relieved the other day visiting Mike Seeger's website to see he has a link to the Dead on his links page. So I guess a foolish consistency IS the hobgoblin of little minds, as some old saying goes...

Brad Sondahl

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