"there is no overarching canon anymore. The folk world has become diversified and specialized"
"it seems that since the songwriting-with-acoustic-guitar revolution of the 60s and 70s, the scene grew so much as to become fragmented -- so we don't have a few key players that might be named by all."

Perhaps I am just too much of an optimist, seeing the glass as half full and the water very tasty, but I think the fact that it is diversified and there are no longer a handful of recognizable names IS the reason why the genre is still going strong.

I don't think you cand find an "overarching canon" in any contemporary genre of music these days. Instead of relying on a handful of songs that radio played constantly, we have a diverse bunch that are writing some of the most powerful songs I've ever heard.   While everyone glorifies the 60's and the folk revival, it always seems to come down the same handful of names and the songs that we've heard constantly for the past 40 years.

I have to disagree with you all - you are confusing quality with commercial success. More people are MAKING music than ever before, which to my eyes has always been at the core of what folk music is all about.

I'm not saying you have to enjoy the music that is being created today, or the way younger generations are embracing traditional music. We aren't going to see another folk revival like the kind that occured in the 1960's, and we should all be thankful for that. It was great for what it was, but you do not want to repeat the past because you will also repeat the same mistakes.