I was find dining at the local McDonald's when I saw a 14 something young lady looking like she was going on 20 something with tight, low, low, rider jeans and a bright pink midriff T-shirt that would make Britney Spears proud. What got my attention, believe it or not, was not the lovely young lady but the pink top said Fender on it.

Now I would expect most musicians to know what Fender stands for, but not most 14 or even 20 year old young ladies. This young lady knew that Fender was a guitar. The same kind of guitar Jimmie Hendrix played. I am still not sure she know who Jimmie Hendrix was, but needless to say he was one of the greatest guitar players of all time. Not only because he was a good guitar player, but if 14 year old girls know what a Fender is 30 years after Mr. Hendrix's death that is true impact on the music world.

I worry about the music world. Less and less people are going to learn to play instruments because there are less role models to inspire young people to learn. We have plenty of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlakes, even Ushers and Eminems who might inspire kids to be entertainers but not enough musicians, not enough Jimmies.

I also worry about the local musicians and their legacy. Salem Witchcraft, the SRC, Muggys, Bitter Sweet Alley, Bobby Lewis, Little Ruben, Steve King and the Dittlies, the list could go on and on. Local bands that had an impact on the music scene but not that national hit record.

Even bands that were a step bigger the Frost, Sunday Funnies, Jamie Coe, Jack Scott, Gino Washington, Brownsville Station, the Woollies, bands that had records. But reputations fade over time. Musicians who made music their life's work but will never make the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.