Just to through a spanner in the works, let me point out that the 1954 definition of "folk" was developed by the International Folk Music Council to describe their work, not DonT, or Barry Finn, or Richard Bridge, or any of the other mudcat "crew.

The definition was hotly debated for years after, and was found to be wanting to such degree that the "International Folk Music Council" changed it's name to"The International Council for Traditional Music"--

The notorious "1954 definition," quoted above from their constitution, has been replaced with this:

"The objective of the Council shall be to assist in the study, practice, documentation, preservation and dissemination of traditional music and dance, including folk, popular, classical, urban, and other genres, of all countries."