I came to my cynical realization (that people need music force fed)  after studying classical guitar for many years, getting very good, coming to the west coast and being completely gobsmacked at the ignorance of the audiences.   There is an impresario who is bringing some decent players to the region, but honestly I don't think it does much good.  It takes generations to change minds.
 
I didn't realize how spoiled I was on the east coast.

West Coasters think Charo plays a mean Flamenco guitar.

Another somewhat recent trend in popular (mostly rap...is that even a genre anymore?) music that has totally left me behind is what I might call the broken or "drunk groove". This is where the main beat is played noticeably behind the beat and loses all sense of any groove. Herky jerky and un-funky, Duke Ellington must be spinning in his grave.

herky-jerky is a new genre., yerolpal. 
 
Craig:  haha..I love charo!  She's actually really good!  And I shouldn't be so harsh.. ... a couple of really decent players have moved to the area to up the competition. There's also a great lutanist that just moved to the area.

eph221
(pbs is 90% cooking shows now thought you'd like to know).  T

Don't be absurd, kid. PBS doesn't have the balls to do down and dirty cooking. They are too busy reminding us baby boomers how fat Mary Travers has gotten and hoping we will contribute at the $250.00 level to get Celtic Woman's new album. She can dance AND play the violin...and what an ass!