I am no doubt touching on points already covered but here's my take.

Paxton and Guthrie are established, but they established themselves with strings of big commercial hits (and a movie). That always passes. But they seemed to have made the most of that start over the years. Good for them. I've seen Guthrie perform. I'm look forward to someday seeing Paxton, and John Prine.

But folk music, real folk music, is no where near its last generation. There is a group of 20 somethings in this state called "The Carolina Chocolate Drops" which is as good as any folk act ever recorded. No doubt someone will follow in their shoes.