User blog comment:Raidra/Creepy Craft for Children/@comment-4849011-20141213012652/@comment-24040907-20150107010907

Oh, yes, I've heard of Minstrel Shows. Bing Crosby did one in Holiday Inn. Have you ever seen that movie? You see, Minstrels were originally traveling showmen who would sing legends and ballads of historical importance to nobles and townsfolk. During the Middle Ages, illiteracy amongst commoners was at large. These townsfolk could listen to the Minstrels sing about great heroes, battles, and other historical events, and learn things they couldn't have read otherwise.

On that Wikipedia article, it says that the Minstrel Shows were the first form of American theater and also gave rise to African/American music. So, if you want to trust Wikipedia, these shows were musically revolutionary. However, something like that wouldn't last a nanosecond today without being torn to shreds.

On a lighter note, I left a reply to your message on my talk page.