Great night last night at the Ugly Mug in Hendersonville, playing country-folk-blues music. Great mix of country-folk-blues-bluegrass talent, great mix of cultures. This is what we need in America, folks from different backgrounds breaking down the barriers. Instead, we have people like the ones on Fox erecting more impenetrable barriers. Yesterday I phone banked for Obama to Pueblo, Colorado, where Barack is speaking today. OK response. But one man said "I HATE Obama." Hate is a strong word.

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Made reservations for my high school reunion in Delray Beach. 50 years, would you believe it, and I'm still here, alive and kicking and playing music. I like to call myself a young codger. Creativity keeps you young in the mind. Article in USA Today yesterday saying seniors are more satisfied with their lives than other population groups. Maybe statistically, but it depends, of course. Those mired in debt or without a pension or suffering from mental health issues or addiction are clearly not satisfied. And those mired in hate are not satisfied.

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The revelation that there are a lot of hate-based bands out there spreading racial and ethnic intolerance should energize artists with a conscience to get out there are do the opposite: stand up for justice and tolerance in the USA. We can't sit idly by and allow people like the ones on Fox News and white supremacy groups to take center stage and hold it, in the eyes of the media.