This is not true, much of my initial learning came from the folk group popular enough at the time for my parents to record, ie. the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem

My then 27? yr old taking up of tenor banjo and trying to find Irish music owes more than anything to the playing of another commercially successful band, ie. the Dubliners and the playing of Barney Mckenna,

I've nothing against a groups success.

On the other hand, I do worry when I read someone who states he's interviewed things putting these "motives" forwards on others. It probably isn't but the best impression the above attack without knowing the people making the comments is one of vested interests.