VOL. V, NO. 4
NOVEMBER 1, 1963
The Maine Point
"I had an old dog, And his name was Blue. Betcha five dollars He's a good'n too."
People are making a comeback‑to folk music. Anyone with an old guitar or banjo can join in, but the prospective folksinger has a problem. He must belong to a "class" or "group." There are three of these groups, each being completely separate.
Group No. 1 - The commercial folk singers. These talented people are in the business for either fame or money. They usually band together in groups of three, and are distinguished by beards and long hair. They also drool a lot.
Group No. 2 - These are called reporters. They are sometimes confused with hill-Williams, but they are not. They just sing the songs as they hear them from simple mountain folk, or their mothers.
People are making a comeback‑to folk music. Anyone with an old guitar or banjo can join in, but the prospective folksinger has a problem. He must belong to a "class" or "group." There are three of these groups, each being completely separate.
Group No. 1 - The commercial folk singers. These talented people are in the business for either fame or money. They usually band together in groups of three, and are distinguished by beards and long hair. They also drool a lot.
Group No. 2 - These are called reporters. They are sometimes confused with hill-Williams, but they are not. They just sing the songs as they hear them from simple mountain folk, or their mothers.
Group No. 3 - Includes ethnic Negroes, hillbillies and all types of illiterates. In this group talent is inversely proportional to literacy. In order to belong to this group, you must also be able to: make corn "likker" and drink it; pick a bale (1,000 pounds) of cotton; and have a police record.
Now the first group entertains everyone but themselves when they sing "Puff, the Magic Dragon." The second group entertains Negro protest marchers with strains of "We Shall Overcome." And the last group entertains left‑wing parties with a blues such as "Backwater Blues."
Now that you know all the groups, you can choose one of them. Or you may want to start one of your own. That's the American way!
Now the first group entertains everyone but themselves when they sing "Puff, the Magic Dragon." The second group entertains Negro protest marchers with strains of "We Shall Overcome." And the last group entertains left‑wing parties with a blues such as "Backwater Blues."
Now that you know all the groups, you can choose one of them. Or you may want to start one of your own. That's the American way!