Last month we ran an editorial I wrote. As always I asked for some feedback and as always I got it. Here is a sampling of some of the thoughtful letters we received from our loyal and much appreciated readers.

What a great read! And SOOOOO SPOT ON! You NAILED it here. How do I subscribe? ~ Rick, Longmont, Colorado (USA)

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 I LOVE this editorial. You are spot on in my opinion. Nathan James and I were just talking about this last night. He said "I don't even know if I should market myself as blues anymore." Martin and I have had the same conversation. Nathan also mentioned, as you did, that young people love our version of blues. It's fun, uplifting, and it swings like a mofo. The lyrics often make fun of sad situations. In fact, most people love this music. They just don't know that it's blues!!! At any rate, we're not giving up. I'm tired of moaning about it; I want to do something about it. ~ Jamie, Huntington Beach, California (USA)

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 “Blues music that sounds like 45-50 year old classic rock is not appealing to young people. Real, organic, swinging, hip music or real orgasmic hip swinging music does.” LOVE IT DAVE!!! ~ Tommy,Long Beach, California (USA)

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Great editorial and well worth a read. What we find so true is that once they hear it, EVERYBODY loves groovin to the blues. They just gotta hear it. That's why we love taking the blues to other generations and groups other than the typical blues society “in-crowds.” Played LIVE (and well) is where it really catches people. They cannot resist the groove of real blues, whether they are 85 years old or 8.5 years old. ~ Edd, Conifer, Colorado (USA)

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It has occurred to me or maybe you planted that seed in my head Mac, I don’t know, that it is in the best interest of these blues society types to keep the blues right where it is, on the brink of extinction, so as they can continue with their B.S. mission of keeping the blues alive. By insuring that the genre is on life support they can continue to dupe people into sending them money. ~ Philip, Athens, Georgia (USA)

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I said, “For starters it is blues music.” He interrupted me, burst out laughing and said, “No it’s not. This music is GOOD!” Many feel that way because a lot of Blues being played these days does suck. The reputation is deserved. ~ Pat, Dallas, Texas (USA)

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Right on David Mac!!! It is about damn time someone identified the white elephant in the room. I am from Louisiana but stationed in Germany. They have some great bands over here that attract a younger crowd. It is nice going out and letting my hair down (as best I can... LOL) and not feel like I am in a retirement home. BTW, You need to check out B.B. and the Blues Shacks. They are really good. ~ Tommy, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (USA) (and wherever Uncle Sam needs me)

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Great editorial Dave.... Couldn't agree with you more and nice shout out to Nikki Hill et al. ~ Bill, Laguna Nigel, California (USA)

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Great editorial David... thanks so much for expressing what everybody is thinking and putting it in words so eloquently. Having said that, there is one point I think needs to be made here. That is the music we love from the late 40’s through the 1960’s was by and large made by young people. Virtually all the cool stuff coming out of Chicago, Texas and the west coast was made by people no older than 30...40...tops. In most cases much, much younger. Now we look back and see these black and white images of African-Americans and it is easy to forget that they were YOUNG! Their music appealed to everyone who heard it. Then our nostalgia crazed generation of baby boomers came along and tried to turn blues into rock and sit around their little f*cking blues society camp fires and scratch their bald heads and wondered what happened. What happened was you Grandpa and your stupid Tommy Castro and Joe Bonamassa records. Young people are so turned off to that sh*t. I’m sorry but it’s true. ~ Patricia the Ex-Pat, Marseille, France

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David , Excellent article ,You Rock, Gotta check out Jesus on a Tortilla. Thanks Again. ~ Danny, Lake Forest, California (USA)

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Thanks Mac for recognizing and supporting the young musicians out there who are making this music and doing it the right way. I have been listening to this music my entire young life. I’m 22 years old. This music can be so much fun. Not the stuff my father listens to, Joe Bonamassa and that crap. I think he is about your age and got stuck on that Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix jamming type of thing. I guess that’s OK, but there is so much more out there. You write and have the passion of a young person even though you aren’t that young. BTW...You should check out “Sugar Ray and the Blue Tones.” They aren’t that young,but I think they would be right up your alley. ~ Beth, Hartford, Connecticut (USA)

Editor: Thanks Beth, I’ll check that out... now finish your milk and go to bed.