So I guess I'm pleading, too, for the possibility that, while record companies continue to make their money and royalties continue to be paid performers, there be some sort of nonprofit sound archive as a resource to spread the basic information about how a song sounds, its melody as performed, etc.---
just as DT enables us not to have to buy every folksong collection in the world

Quite why you think, or at least suggest, that the DT is a brilliant "folksong collection" collection is beyond me. It's good certainly, but it's full of errors and ommisions, and I cannot understand why, as Jon mentioned above, you appear to consider it "authoritative"

Too utopian? I sure hope not

I'm afraid that you probably are being. OK, you may be 'strapped for cash' but to expect others in a similar situation to record and pay for internet hosting purely for your delectation.

If you want something, either pay for it or do it yourself...