I grew up in the 60s, 70s and 80s, so I love Classic Rock and New Wave. But I also have a degree in music history, so I know classical music inside and out. When I was a teen, and my friends all worked at McDonalds, I was playing gigs in a 15 piece Big Band, so I also love jazz.

Then I got a job with a major record label, managing all the fun genres - classical, jazz, world music, blues, soundtracks, etc. Since then, I’ve worked for many classical labels, jazz and folk labels, a really cool Chinese label that recorded ancient Chinese folk, classical, and indigenous music in perfect audiophile sound, etc. One of my favorite tracks is an old guy in Yunnan province, who plays a LEAF. Just puts it between his lips, and blows, playing beautiful melodies with subtle nuances, on a fucking LEAF!

After decades of listening to, playing, and writing about all sorts of music, I don’t really hear it in terms of styles or genres anymore. It’s all just music to me, and while it’s kind of cliche, it’s just broken up between good and not so good music, and frankly, I decide which is which based on my own trust in my own musical taste. You are perfectly welcome to disagree. Doesn’t bother me at all if you like something different.

BTW, I say “not so good” music, because I would never disparage a genuine musician who is genuinely expressing themselves musically. I may not like it, and it may not be played or recorded well, but they’re a musician so I respect their art. I don’t care much for Metal, but I get it. I can even like a lot of it from a technique perspective. A lot of those guys can really play, I’m just not big fan of the music that results. I feel that way about a lot of country. Great playing, not a fan of the music so much.

OTOH, scum like Kid Rock, who use their “music” as propaganda to oppress others, including musicians, deserve hatred from the true world of music.