On February 1st the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced nominees for the Class of 2023. There are 14 bands and individual acts, running the gamut of genres, from heavy metal to pop, hip hop to country, singer-songwriters, and soul. 

Each year when the Rock Hall announces their nominees and then the winner debates rage about who deserves to win and be enshrined in this Hall. Much of the discussion centers around specific acts and their worthiness. How much did they produce? How influential have they been? 

But debate also focuses on the genres. I've become so used to the arguments from people who gripe about pop, soul, funk, rap, and hip hop acts being nominated. I've also heard complaints about bands with synthesizers being part of the Hall. There is a segment of music fans that wants its rock'n'roll to be guitar-bass-drums-maybe keys and that's about it. 

When the Hall nominees are announced, people not only reflect upon music they like but also music they dislike. It can grow heated. One former friend of mine would go on Facebook and slam any act nominee that wasn't within his specific definition of rock 'n roll, and it was pretty much limited to classic rock and hard rock. Each year he would hold forth in this manner. A number of us realized that he was subtly racist in his comments, and we cut ties with him. 

Many people think that in the grand scheme of things, the Rock Hall and its members are not too important. They might think that defining music, especially rock'n'roll, is less significant than many other issues we face. Despite these arguments, music is very important and very integral to the lives and identities of most people I know. Thus, the Hall nominees become a source of contention, derision, and chatter.

Let me state that this year I cast my votes easily for two acts, Iron Maiden and the Spinners. Heavy metal and soul music. Both are groups I enjoy and have seen in concert, but I've been derided for considering the Spinners for the Rock Hall of Fame because... "They're not rock." "They're soul." "They were singers and didn't play their instruments." On and on. 

After I cast those two votes, I was less sure. Some of those nominated are far from my favorites, but I would still acknowledge their importance to rock'n'roll in general. But for all those who would vote for Missy Elliott, there will be boos because she is a hip-hop artist. And those who'd vote for George Michael will be derided because "he's pop" and "he's dance music." I suspect there's also homophobia at play in knocking his music. 

Willie Nelson was nominated this year, and as beloved a figure as he is, fans who hate country music are up in arms over his nod. 

People are very proprietary about "their music." Many want to gatekeep. Why should rock'n'roll be just a few genres? Like, dislike...listen.