This debate has been going on since the days of Stephen Foster (he was "Pop" music in the 1800's). I agree that its all just a marketing issue for record labels and radio stations. "Americana" seemed to be an attractive alternative to the "folk" label (which the consuming public still tends to think just means The Weavers, Kingston Trio, etc.) when I first looked at it. And, inclusion of artists like John Prine seemed to validate that. However, it now is starting to seem like nothing more than an alternative to country and older pop or rock artists - much like Branson was the alternative to Nashville for those who didn't like the direction the music industry in that town was headed. For my part, if folks are stuck on labels then I'm pretty much out of luck. Thank goodness for the internet, digital distribution and the growing popularity of independent music sources. It gives those of us who don't have (or want) agents and aren't likely to ever get much, if any, airplay on mainstream radio a chance to have our music appreciated by a larger audience. As the Dirt Band said "is it folk or rock or country? Seems like everbody cares but us . . .." Amen.
Doug Doug Spears 36 Interlaken Road Orlando, Florida 32804 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.dougspearsmusic.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> See what's inside the new Yahoo! Groups email. http://us.click.yahoo.com/2pRQfA/bOaOAA/yQLSAA/mvJolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/folksingers/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
