I'm with Frauline Flashmeister on this...   I too run a music session near Luton in the UK. (see 'What's on in Herts/Beds' permathread and look for The Old Farm Inn!!) We often joke about Flash being dragged over to the dark (trad) side.   But if she didn't enjoy it she wouldn't do it.

As for the Old Farm Inn we have a couple of 11yr olds, several teenagers and another load in their 20's players/singers who attend regularly and are always well received. Our audiences are always attentive when they play and more importantly take them seriously.

Flash and Captain Birdseye are right about making sessions more accessible and fun. The dirges and lengthy child ballads have their place but the youngsters of today need tunes and songs they enjoy and relate to.   You have to dangle the right bait!!