I was talking with an artist behind the Singing News table a few weeks ago and he asked what generated the biggest amount of mail to "Your Views" (the letters to the editor) in each month's issue.

At the top of the list is loud sound (and it's been that way for a long time). Then there's our beloved Roy Pauley - he gets a lot of mail, pro and con. Then, for the longest time, we had a lot of letters concerning dancing on stage (the writers' words, not mine) spiked hair and short ties, also both pro and con. People talking at concerts ranks next.

But do you know what No. 5 is?

Yep, crawling skin.

No, I don't mean someone has a skin problem and he or she should see a doctor about it. Instead, I mean that crawling skin that comes as a result of sitting next to someone at a concert who is singing out loud with the artist on stage. Often, the letter will include the phrase "their singing was so bad it made my skin crawl." In most instances, they're referring to the person sitting next to them - although there was one letter a few years ago that the singing from the persons next to them was better than than what they heard from the stage.

I'm sure we've all experienced this. And I plead guilty to this offense, as well. And, I will admit to, every great now and then, doing this on purpose because the person next to me was a real stick in the mud and would be most likely to complain to Jesus because He didn't come back at THEIR prescribed time. (It really gets them going if you just barely "shade" the pitch!)

That may surprise some of you. You see, I'm one of those kind of people who's generally quiet and usually, I won't speak first. It's just my nature and even though I have a very, very public job, I'm shy around people I don't know.

But to a few others, this doesn't surprise you one bit. After all, once you get to know to me, you know you can't get me to shut up.

Please withhold the "Amen's."

Anyway, I've probably carried that "make a joyful NOISE to the Lord" thing a little too far on occasion and sent many-a-skin crawling. No doubt, working the Singing News table at concerts in recent years has prevented many people from writing in and complaining about my singing.

As I get older, I can't tell if this bothers me or if I'm more apt to just let it go. On one side, the mentality of "hey, I paid good money to hear a pro sing, so hush" can quickly win out. But just as easily, the school of thought that says "it's just good to see someone having a great time" can come out ahead. I suppose it all depends on the mood I'm in that particular day.

In any case, we should always be mindful of others and use common courtesy. Every concert experience should be pleasurable, and in a day and time when expenses of attending an event can escalate quickly, people want to enjoy it to the max.

I certainly don't blame them. We all need a little joy in our day.