Larry, there is a fundamental flaw in what you have posted. The assumption behind your original statement implies that by listening to or naming a single singer, you can DEFINE folk music. Over the years, the question, "What is folk music?" has come up several times, and has not EVER been close to being answered. Each of us who like "folk-type" music have our own ideas of what it should be. Therefore, Rick (more than most of us) should certainly be allowed to define "folk music" in his own way, as should John Gorka. And if their definitions are not the same, it does not in any way change the broad CONCEPT of folk music.

You said, "Neither play traditional music that they learned through the oral tradition. Both write their own songs and sing some traditional folk songs."

Are you also saying, then, that that is the defining characteristic fo folk music? Ask 100 people at the next folk festival you attend if they agree - you will be lucky if 10 do.

Lyle