SHORT TAKES : Guthrie Decries ‘Fear of Music’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. —  Folk singer Arlo Guthrie says it’s ridiculous to put labels on records warning that the lyrics may be offensive.

“The fact that people can spend their time thinking about all that stuff when there are disasters going on all around us is kind of silly, I think,” Guthrie said. He added, “The fear of music is more harmful than bad music.”

Guthrie, the son of folk legend Woody Guthrie, is known for his hits “Alice’s Restaurant” and “City of New Orleans.” He was scheduled for a concert tonight at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.

In May, the Recording Industry Assn. of America unveiled a voluntary “parental guidance” label for recordings that might be deemed objectionable because of lyrics dealing with such themes as sex, violence, suicide or drugs.