Mail

SOUND GARDEN

Your Special Music Issue (#266, March 17) was brilliant in every way. It is nice to see that a major entertainment magazine has finally found the hot-bed of great music acts in Columbus. Maybe people will stop thinking of Columbus as just another ''cow town'' and start realizing that there is some great stuff being created here. CHRIS MCGRAW Columbus, Ohio

To those readers who complain (and there will most certainly be some) about the extent to which Dana Kennedy writes in her Melissa Etheridge article about Etheridge's lesbianism: To hell with them. Sexual orientation is a huge part of who Etheridge is as a person, so why shouldn't the topic occupy a big part of Kennedy's report? The Melissa Etheridge article is marvelous exactly as it is. SARAH KREMBS Manitowish Waters, Wis.

Thank you for your wonderful article on Melissa Etheridge. It is such a pleasure to know that this musician ''who happens to be gay'' is accepted for her talent and not for her sexual orientation. Maybe in the future more people will feel as secure in coming out as Ms. Etheridge. JAY JOHNSTON Elmira Heights, N.Y.

I can't believe y'all took five years to put the most entertaining, interesting, and influential American rock band ever on your cover. It's just too bad that it took a brain aneurysm to get them there. BEN CARPENTER bigben21@aol.com Tallahassee, Fla.

THE WILD 'BUNCH'?

As a parent of three daughters, I always read the Parents' Guide with great interest whenever it's in your magazine. Until I read Lois Alter Mark's blurb on The Brady Bunch Movie, I trusted her judgment. After hearing from umpteen sources about the sexual content (Marcia being pursued by a lesbian...), I certainly didn't allow my children to see it. However, your guide implies that the only sexual content is Marcia's learning to French kiss! Hello! Anybody home? Apparently Mark missed the mark this week. BOB PRATER bobprater@aol.com Valencia, Calif.

TESH CASE

I love your magazine but not your slap at John Tesh (Loser of the Week). A person with a (musical) talent is trying to save something he believes in (PBS). Why is he condemned for trying to save something that entertains thousands? DREW T. WEINGARTH drewsters@aol.com Old Bridge, N.J.

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

I enjoyed Ken Tucker's rave review of NewsRadio until I read his cheap shot at The Kids in the Hall. After five seasons of brilliant comedy and with a movie in the works, the Kids deserve better treatment. When are we going to get an article on the troupe by someone who appreciates their genius? ED JOHNSON-OTT pbbp24a@prodigy.com Indianapolis