True there are some Folk Festivals who do book the 'big names' - artists who play really good music if only they didn't deafen us with amplified stamping (is it called a stompbox?)
But luckily there are Festivals like Whitby that books traditional singers and players, and runs lots of workshops where we can learn and participate. The booked artist are so generous with their knowledge - even though some of us are beginners or once a year learners.