I agree to some extent, Viper, and as a repat. (rather than a visitor) from Australia, I've done some work on my pronunciation by, wait for it, listening carefully to two Geordie ex-runners when the athletics is on!
I agree with Folkiedave - except I'd drop "the Blues" as that is another American genre.
To Sorcha...what more can I say?!
To Mole. - is it not sad that the most influential folk album (as voted by BBC listeners) is, as you say, NOT a folk album at all; English traditional music should, again, be compulsory in English schools...a lot just don't know how enjoyable/entertaining it can be.
And I'd like to think that I do indeed "get out there and do something about the problem as he sees it" by participation in festival and club singarounds etc., and have been, just last night e.g., quoted on interactive TV on such matters.
To all - another sad similar case: English Christians worshipping with drum kits, electric guitars, Belgian saxaphones, etc. instead of the olde organ or unaccompanied hymns.