It doesn't make a damned bit of difference that I studied music at Berkeley, including the History of American Music. I never speak much about the fifteen years I spent playing and performing music in the 60's and 70's. In fact, of the most important things about the relationship between The Used Kharma Lot and music, most specifically with that of bluegrass and old-time music, is the fact that for the first year Kharma provided web page access to over 20 bluegrass bands in the Spokane area, it hurt. I so love good music of all kinds, but until the summer of 2001, I could not hear it due to deafness. That was why I left music behind long, long ago. Deafness has a habit of destroying your perspective about music.

In 2003, I left bluegrass music behind because of the people, at least the ones in Spokane who claim to speak for Bluegrass Music. It has been my experience that the Inland Northwest Bluegrass Association is largely a largely uninformed collective of egotistical maniacs who would rather serve themselves than the true cause of music of any genre. While there are several people who, through their own independence, have become fast friends with us both, they are vastly outnumbered  by the arrogant, self-serving pompous asses who make up the Board of Directors of the INBA who always seem to presume a great deal without being adequately armed with the facts. I reserve my pity and contempt for them.

Despite the sadness, though, as in most things, I still feel compelled to "make a difference" in the lives of a few friends, and to bring their talents and the beauty of their music to the web. Here, then, are the people, organizations and bands for whom Kharma has, I believe, made a difference. By clicking on their pictures you can learn more about them.

What you have here is a wonderfully-accurate listing of old-time music from generations past, including their words, and in some cases, even the chords it takes to play them. If you love or play old-time music, this is a wonderful resource created by L. Petersen.

How do you begin to describe these guys? It's not just another band. It's neither bluegrass, old-time, nor traditional. It's the only Spokane-based band I've ever seen that has even one Reggae song in their repertoire. When they're in good form, which is about anytime they play, they have air-tight harmonies, and they all sing on key. They are among some of the most-talented performers in town.  Oh, and I forgot, they can make you laugh. That, by itself, makes for good entertainment.