I think folk music is more rare that just the kind of music that is passed down orally or music that people like to sing to themselves.

I think it's important to include the kind of songs written by ordinary people rather than professional musicians. There is a woman in the city that I live that writes songs about the history of this city (and she's come up with some really interesting stuff!) and current events. That's what alot of what we call 'traditional' songs once where - songs about current events - ie Bonnie Dundee, Four Marys (sorry, I'm a French Canadian with a penchant for Scottish fiddle tunes...)

The point is although Bob Dylan is important and he does kind of fit in the 'folk' musician definition, it is the 'Stevedore Steves", "Frances Helyars", and 'Stompin Toms" of this world that make real folk music - music that is catchy, entertaining and not necessarily commercial.