"I'm only saddened by the application of Gresham's Law to one of my passionate interests. "

Wow! You brought me back 25 years to my Economics 101 class! You topped it off by reminding me of one of the few days that I did not fall asleep in class!

From what I recall of the theory, "bad" money referred to legal tender that was either counterfeit or consisted of inferior metals. The "good" money was coinage that contained more valuable metals and the value of the metal would be worth more than the metal in the "bad" coins. This lead to people hording the "good" coins and keeping them out of circulation.

Using Gresham's Law - if traditional folk music is considered "good" money, then it is the fault of those "hording" the music that keeps it out of circulation to be replaced by contemporary songwriters.

I'm not sure if I would agree with that analogy because it debases the value of contemporary songwriters. I certainly respect and understand your opinion, after all we have subjective tastes, but personally I do not see one impacting on the other in such terms. People are attracted to the styles because of what if offers them. I feel that there is certainly room for both and neither will be devalued.

Yesterday I received the new Solas CD - Reunion. It is a brilliant concert that blends Irish traditional tunes and song, American folk song (Rain and Snow), a Woody Guthrie song (Pastures of Plenty), and songs from contemporary songwriters (Richard Shindell, Antje Duvekott) as well as original tunes. This CD does not sound like a typical session you would happen upon in a pub, nor does it sound like the stereotypical whiney navel-gazing singer-songwhiners. It is a superb interpretation of MUSIC that I have no problem calling FOLK. It comes from the heart and the people.