Hi MAB

In many ways I agree with everything you say. I would be that last person to deny that the vast majority of early blues players and musicians were part of African American community! Probably like you MAB these are the people whose recordings I learned the blues from. My intention isn't to diminish any culture groups contribution to the origin of the blues - rather to acknowledge and celebrate every ones!

As an aside MAB I should tell you that the Irish have a special respect for the Choctaw nation, who in 1845 were the first nation in the world to send financial aid to the Irish People during the Great Famine, which killed an estimated 4 million people on the mainland of our country! $750 a fortune in 1845 which the Choctaw couldn't have easily afforded.

Regards

ColmT