I was on that same tour, and I've gotta say that I was disappointed in Marc's talk and his refusal to play.

Now, I know Marc has given up the dancehall circuit quite a while ago and maybe he did so because he didn't want to have to play when the spirit wasn't moving him to do so.

But the whole point of that tour was to light a fire in those kids. That didn't happen.

Not only did he not play, but I feel like his advice is often more discouraging than encouraging. As most of us know, he makes a habit of talking about how, once he finally got an accordion, the music just bled through his fingers and out of the instrument.

Yes, I know, he's trying to emphasize the importance of playing by ear. But the way he tells it, he was a virtuoso on his first day.

What about also mentioning the hours/days/weeks of practice to fine-tune what he heard?

What about acknowledging what is important in carrying this culture forward? That won't happen if there are just 3 virtuosos performing throughout the area. The music will only continue if kids grow up with it in their homes, if they see their family and relatives playing it, and if they find themselves humming those songs while they're doing their homework. None of this requires a musical genius in every home. And most people who pick up an accordion won't be virtuosos, but if they can play enough to whet the appetite of a neice or nephew or son or daughter, then they've done enough.