"At this time I interrupt the Don & Ron Show to point out that there's a difference between "getting" someone's point and buying the point."

I've been saying that all along.   I understand what Don is trying to say even though I don't buy his point.

There are a great many traditions that can fit Bill D's answer to the question I posed asking to Dick to share his definition of "folk music".    I completely agree with Bill D's answer, but - and here is where we diverge - I do consider that there is such an animal as a "new tradition" and "new community" and that common usage of the word "folk music" for contemporary singer-songerwriters will not cause the Earth to spin off it's axis or the planets to fall out of alignment - or even more important, IT WILL NOT HURT TRADITIONAL MUSIC.

The work Dick and Susan have done is amazing, and the Digital Tradition Database is a valuable resource that we are lucky to have. I am very happy that many of the contemporary singer-songwriters are included in the Digital Tradition Databse. No need to think up a new term, we all understand the differences between songs.

Contemporary society has changed the definition of folk music. No big deal.