I have found the conversation about singing in different accents fascinating. Having spent most of my working life surrounded by many different nationalities, but mainly dominated by Americans for a considerable period, I have ended up with a polyglot type of accent that veers off subconsciously to mimic in part the person/s I am speaking too. My default accent is a kind of mid atlantic with a touch of Aussie. So does singing with a different accent a case of mimicry, affectation, or what? Some accents are extremely difficult to understand, the Geordie accent and some scottish accents in particular. At the end of the day does it really matter?
What is a person looking for from a folksong. Clarity of expression,
interpretation (whatever that may mean), delivery in the accent of the songs origin(if known) or what?
The over analysis of the who, what, why, when, where probably only applies to some, others just want to listen to the songs and music.
All types comprise the audience. I think sometimes this is forgotten.
Does an enthusiastic audience who happen to be drinking in a pub during a mixed session rank as second class folkies because they do not go to folk clubs. Do you even need to go to a folk club to appreciate folk? You tube offers a very comfortable alternative.