PETER - PETER, PAUL + MARY SLAM CHART STARS

Folk veterans PETER, PAUL + MARY have slammed current charts stars, singling out rappers for making "nihilistic commercial trash". The PUFF, THE MAGIC DRAGON hitmakers admit their music style isn't as popular as it was during the 1970s and 1980s, but insist they are on a different creative level to the younger influx of musicians in the charts. Bandmember PETER YARROW says, "Music to a large degree has become a big business that is playing to the lowest common denominator. "Some of them (hip-hop artists) are simply nihilistic commercial trash. But many of them are a real cry for humanity, as well as justice." Yarrow did praises pop punk PINK and country trio DIXIE CHICKS' music and values. Bandmember MARY TRAVERS says, "Folk stopped being radio's darling, but it has always maintained a presence. There are folk festivals all over the country... People are singing folk songs around their living rooms and around camp fires." The trio will be honoured with Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame tonight (15JUN06).