The jazz guitarist, Scott Henderson, says that many musicians find themselves in a music "cult". This might be an academic approach to folk music; styles have to be played specific ways.

For example: the difference between the Irish fiddler Tommy Peoples and the Comhaltas Ceoltori Eireann, was that the latter insisted on the “Tradition”. Doc Watson enjoyed playing "Over the Rainbow" and popular honky tonk type tunes and started his career with the electric guitar. Not “folkish”.

Alan Lomax as a collector had an attitude that folk music must be "authentic", emanating from a specific sub-culture with inherent musical boundaries. A "real" folk performer had to
be from a specific area. At the same time, he embraced the Kingston Trio for bringing folk
music to the public.

Pete Seeger was once suggested that in during a "hootenanny" involving audience particpation, a song leader could lead “How High The Moon", teaching the audience a counterline based on the guide tones in the jazz tune. Leadbelly could take “Poor Dhrinin
The Cow” and the Weavers could turn it into “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine”. Many popular
Classic Country tunes are recycled folk melodies. Appalachian musical culture owes heavily
to the African-American culture. There is no pure musical culture.

Study and be respectful of the tradition of music, know what you’re trying to express, and then allow for creative change. That’s what Pete did a with his banjo.