The problem with John Brunes definition,is that most contemporary writers, myself included want recognition for their work and their appropriate royalties,.
however he is right about things of lasting value[trash of the 19 century hasnt lasted although there was probably just as much written as there iss today],however good taste is hard to define as it is entirely subjective.he also says[ It is quite truethat generally speaking old songs are better than new ones, but this isnot becausewe have lost the knack of writing good songs but because only the best songs have lasted any length of time.
he also talks about[the regional fad]Scots should only sing scottish songs,Englishmen only english songs, such restrictions on our leisure time pursuits do not just knock stof the fun out of singing-they are quite untraditional,.
IF such restrictions had been in any way imposed on singers when folk singing was a universal tradition the folk process would have been
checked and the tradition might well have been killed centuries ago.
   my own[DickMiles]    alternative definition of traditional music could be home made music[including traditional style songs, that are contemporary].