As I have a moment here I’d just like to express once again my delight at the incoming volume of complimentary emails. At the same time however, it’s apparent that many of those dialing in haven’t taken the time to check out my most recent blog laying out some basic ground rules.

While it is totally the prerogative of the individual concerned to send whatever type of communication they care to, it is also mine to let you know that there are certain requests that I am unable to acquiesce to.

First and foremost, please do not send me unsolicited material. By this I mean self-penned songs or lyrics to garner opinion. Try to understand that although you might think me to be some lyrical guru, the fact is I haven’t the faintest idea how to respond to these kinds of things.

Bear in mind that taste is overwhelmingly diverse and what you might imagine as appealing to one person might just as easily have no affect on another, which is why it’s essential that you follow your own way of thinking and not be the pawn of someone else’s imagination.

If you want to write songs, go for it. If you are simply someone who likes to noodle away at the occasional lyric fine, but if you’re serious, find a musical partner, hook up and get busy - don’t look for benediction from the likes of me. Ultimately it’s not going to mean diddly what I think, it’s what you think that matters.

Popular music has been robbed of originality and reduced to a wasteland by shows like “American Idol” a program that encourages impressionable kids to inhabit the personas of established stars and regurgitate catalogue material, in a word imitators.

I’m not in that business. I don’t aspire to be some self-adulating judge on the panel of a bad TV show doling out patronizing kudos with condescending insincerity.

It’s no secret that I don’t care for pop music very much (or what currently passes itself of as such) so I’m really not the go to guy for an opinion. If it is indeed that kind of songwriting you are currently pursuing I’m most definitely the wrong place to look for a pat on the head. Like I said, think for yourself, enjoy it and if you’re truly dedicated, form alliances that concur with your dreams. Be original, be yourself, just don’t sell your soul to the middle of the road. I’ve spent time there and it’s a joyless place to inhabit.

Luckily there are countless hundreds of kids out there who have picked up the tools of our musical heritage and forged a new grass roots movement. They’ve taken tradition and put a new spin on it, weaving roots rock and mountain soul into a refreshing blend that washes away the bad taste of insipid pop.

I’m happy about this, it gives me hope. Just the fact that music that isn’t formulaic is breaking through and being heard is a blessing. This is what you guys out there who are looking to catch a break should aspire to and take solace in. Perhaps a revival is imminent, a spirit of the sixties kind of deal where all genres of music can co-exist on the same playing field. Thank the Lord for satellite radio, now if only the commercial airwaves could put on their big boy pants.

Oh and as for you older dudes just dabbling in the occasional lyric to celebrate a wedding or birth, keep it simple and keep it to yourself, it’s better that way.

I’ll be back. Back