"Ever tried boogeying to Lord Randall? "

I haven't, but I am sure that there is someone who tried!   What I am seeing is that artists are interpreting traditional songs once again, but in a style that meets their own requirements. Look at groups like Crooked Still or the Mammals, or artists like Bethany Yarrow.

I think that dance connection is very important, after all a great portion of folk music was used for social events and dances as well. It makes sense that the tradition would carry on to contemporary styles utilizing contemporary technology.

There are a LOT of protest songs being written today, but you are right - they are not making it to MTV - simply because MTV rarely plays music anymore! They shifted their focus too.

Let's not forget that during the folk revival, music of the protest music was not heard on the radio either. Pop music eventually incorporated protest themes, but I would argue there is plenty in contemporary music as well. Madonna, the Dixie Chicks, Pink, Lenny Kravitz and many others have recorded and even received airplay. If you look at rap, arguably folk music, there is plenty of protest going on. It might not resemble what we consider to be protest songs, but you can trace the roots.   I think that is one of the rewards of the folk revival - it greatly influenced pop music.