Howard, I think you've put your finger on it. That distinction between American and British/Irish folk music which you explain is the thing that underlies many of the misunderstandings on this forum. The two types of music that most of us recognise in these islands tend to merge into one in the US, so it's hard for Americans to see the difference that we're referring to.

What US folkies (and even some UK folkies) don't always understand is that American-influenced folk music, although very popular over here, comes from different roots and is delivered in a different way from traditional (and in-the-tradition modern) songs. Much of the pop music over here is in the American, R&B-influenced style (which in turn is related to American folk music) so it seems quite natural to many British/Irish people to sing and play in this way. That's one reason why traddies feel the need to defend and protect their songs and the settings where they sing them, and also explains why the American-style folkies feel that folk clubs should welcome them.

It's not an easy issue to resolve, but it helps if we can understand where each side is coming from.

Marje