I think most of the differences discussed here as potentially "racial" differences are, indeed, "cultural" differences. Those who think that cultural differences do not play a major factor in people's tastes, etc. have got to be kidding themselves. That's not to say that race does not ever play some factor in culture, but they're not exclusive to each other. I suppose you could say that Scottish culture is "white" culture and not be technically incorrect, since Scottish folks tend to be white. Then, of course, so do Germans....but that's a different culture from the Scots. Neither statement really captures the big picture.

Things are a little different here in the States where our history and racial makeup has been considerably different. As a white southerner, I have certain cultural differences from black southerners. On the other hand, I may well have even greater cultural differences with a white New Englander.

When posed with the question of whether white people would shift from pop to country music based on the number of black artists on the charts, I can't help but wonder which white people we're talking about and what motives we're truly assigning to them. I'd say peoples personal tastes would be the biggest factor in choosing a new genre to tune in to, and those tastes could very well be influenced by culture, but probably not by race to any great degree.

In my opinion, if you're tracing the roots of most American music forms, you'll find the most common denominator is that they usually sprang up in the south....where for all the focus on racial differences, the shared cultural traits of both black and white set them apart from people of other regions...including their music. It's in the ethnic and cultural kitchen of the south, IMO, that most of the enduring "American roots music" was cooked up...and it would be hard to attribute any of it solely to black or white people.

Nowadays, of course, cultural lines are much more blurred as a result of increased communication and travel. I have to assume they will only become more so. As that happens, I'm sure we'll see a much greater meshing of musical styles and even less evidence of any narrow cultural traits in our music (for better or worse). At some point, I'd bet, it's going to be quite difficult to talk about "black" and "white" music, rightly or wrongly, with any amount of credibility.

Randy

------------------
http://www.songramp.com/homepage.ez?Who=RandyB

http://www.songramp.com/homepage.ez?Who=RandyB
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/4/randybakermusic.htm