PRESERVING ANCIENT FOREST MUSIC

As the modern world continues to consume massive quantities of finite resources, our earth Mother so generously gives us, we also continue to destroy whole society's of life. Most  are Non-human species who cannot speak for themselves. Others are Human beings who lack the modern skills to speak for themselves in ways that could effect change. In forgetting our role as stewards of this planet our own arrogance threatens our own survival as well. Most modern humans are so removed from the natural biosphere that it is difficult for them to even consider their own role in this unprecedented genocide. For them "ignorance is bliss". They party on while Rome burns. As many try to educate our species as to the dangers of our ignorance, others such as myself are trying to record as much as we can about the elder peoples who remain connected to the natural biosphere. Ancient peoples who's arts, spirituality, language and music are important aspects of our total humanity. Frankly, they must be preserved for the future. Archival recording of ancient music is one of my passions. I am always interested in obtaining music from people who's existence is on the brink of disaster. I believe by sharing their music and other arts with mainstream society we can better bring their plight to the attention of those who can effect change for the better of these ancient cultures. Fortunately many ancient races have begun to have a voice in mainstream society but I refuse to see this as a true fix to the over all problem of our modern worlds greed. We need to be more alert  as well as take action to create venues for these music forms to be heard. For five years I hosted a world music radio show called "Music From The Turtles Back" this show aired on the world wide web  as well as local air wave. MFTTB featured world themes that other radio station would not consider for their programing because these world music styles were not in demand by mainstream society and as a result  would not sell the products commercial stations sold to their listeners. The commercial stations would not even except beautiful Cd's from local artists because they did not fit the format of the station. What is Interesting to me is that these commercial stations said "no one would listen", but they were not even willing to help build the listeners support by giving this music a try so how do we know people won't listen until we offer it for a trial? If the music was not Rock, Country, Gospel, Jazz, Blues or Classical it will not be heard by Main Stream listeners. This presents to me a form of prejudice based in fear and ignorance. Why  will our modern FM or even AM stations not take a chance on an incredibly rich resource of music most have never heard? You have the answer. "Most have never heard it". And so only collage radio is willing to take a chance. A sad reality that can be changed with a modern approach to radio format. Remember the "airwaves" are the property of "the people" and "we" are suppose to be in charge of what they are used for. A Radio license is not a right, it is a privilege. Living as I do, "off the grid and in the wilderness" I also utilize alternative methods of communication such as satellite radio. So Imagine if you will a totally new radio station powered by wind and sun that beams world music to the world 24/7 and is not in any way controlled by the corporate world. No commercials, musician supported music. Perhaps the musicians pay an annual fee like a membership in which you get so many air time slots for your tunes with limits so no one artists controls the air waves. Of course this idea has some costs involved but if left as a listener/artist supported station,  their are ways of supporting its continuance. At the very least our elder music will have a voice without ignorance or fear of it's commercial viability. This one act of "giving back" could enrich the modern world. In the words of John Lenin "Imagine"