I was the guest talking about Elvis Costello.

Jim. I said he had his first gig supporting Ewan and Peggy for a reason. That's who he was supporting at a gig. Not a folk club, although he did play folk clubs before turning pro. He supported them professionally, both acts getting paid. He, like many successful artists over the years has weaved some of the ethos of traditional song into his act, resulting in songs that hit home, words that those aimed at can relate to and tunes that have a nod to many tunes some on here would know.

If you don't understand something, say so. There is obviously a hell of a lot about folk music you don't understand, even if we only go by this thread... In fact, I believe Colin Irwin mentions Elvis's first gig on the cover notes for a Ewan MacColl album.