Columnist Scott Dickensheets: LV music and culture--give me an 'amen'!

"THIS IS MY bible," says the Rev. Rod, waving a green binder in the air.

Much like the actual Bible, Rod's lists a lot of names. And much like an actual reverend, Rod is fired with evangelical zeal. Unlike the actual Bible, however, Rod's can help you find a didgeridoo player. And unlike an actual reverend, Rod's title is casually self-bestowed; his fervor is artistic, not religious. But he's spreading the good word nonetheless. "I'm Reverend Rod, always up there preaching about the cultural renaissance," he says, laughing.

His three-ring bible is a roster of past and present members, associates and friends of Worldfolk, the cultural group Rod Belford runs with his wife and assistant preacher, Leslie. On the list are musicians (among them a player of the Australian didgeridoo), poets, artists, writers, volunteers -- several hundred people who share the Belfords' excitement about Las Vegas music and culture.

"We're happening at a good time," Rod says. Check the scene: Bands are playing all over the place, the EAT'M festival happened here ... it's progress. "I came here 20 years ago, when culture was 50 cent shrimp cocktails," he says.

Worldfolk publishes a small local magazine, hosts a weekly radio show on KLAV and presents concerts -- around 50 so far. The next is a second anniversary party at 7 today at Enigma Garden Cafe. The radio show, "The Other Side of Neon," presents community affairs programming and live music.

Says Rod: "It pains me when '48 Hours' or someone does a show on Las Vegas." Everybody say yes! "I guarantee that in the first minute you'll see Wayne Newton, and second, the Flying Elvi, and third, the volcano." Tell 'em, Rev! "There's a whole other side," Rob continues. "We want to show that."

"It's refreshing to have an outlet like that," says musician Mark Huff, who's appeared on the radio show at Worldfolk shows. "Rod has a certain vision, and that's what I like about him."

Once you know Worldfolk evolved from a Bob Dylan fan club called Highway 61, it's not surprising to learn that the fortysomething Belfords are, beneath their short hair and conventional clothing, unreconstructed hippies at heart. They stress good vibes, fun, brotherhood. "My whole framework is from the '60s," Rod says. "That whole spirit of community, of family ..." Their fellow Worldfolkies, young or old, tend to have similar values: a social conscience, a live-and-let-live attitude, a love of the tunes, man.

Despite the group's name, Worldfolk isn't necessarily about reedy-voiced singer-songwriters or Woody Guthrie acolytes. All sorts of sounds are welcome (except rap). "The 'folk' in Worldfolk stands for 'people,' " Rod says. "I listen to all kinds of music -- except Hanson and the Spice Girls."

Says Leslie: "I tell him, 'You love Worldfolk more than me.' " Rod laughs. Leslie, you don't want to hear the answer.

There's something sweetly appealing about their do-it-yourself gumption and '60s-style giving of a damn -- what's so funny about peace, love and understanding? But perhaps nothing says as much about the whys and what-fors of Worldfolk as Rod's unbridled enthusiasm for local musicians like singer Connie Emerson. He compares her favorably to such Lilith Fairies as Sarah MacLaughlin and Shawn Colvin. "She gives me chills when I hear her music," he intones.

Preach it, Rev!

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