'The folk scene used to be a place to promote and enjoy an important and greatly neglected part of our culture - now it has largely become the stamping ground of a bunch of people not imaginative enough to come up with their own name for the music they wish to perform, nor talented enough to make it on the pop scene, where their real interests lie.

That's a bit of a sweeping generalisation Jim, although I agree in part, as I too have a distaste for the 'navel gazing' singer songwriters that have become all to common, assuming that's what you are referring to, although there are many out there who's songs have a real substance. What really winds me up is those who turn up to an 'open' night with the sole object of showcasing themselves, and after doing their 'turn' pack up and leave, but that's a different issue.

But I can assure you again, as numerous others have done on this thread, there is still a healthy number out there promoting and protecting the tradition in their various ways. I also wonder if we are the only country in the world where there is an element who have difficulty in acknowledging new music as part of, and continuing a tradition, and giving that new music the same name as the tradition.

John