I think both paddymac and greg are right to a degree. But I disagree with witness' initial portrayal of folkies as being somehow nicer and better than other people are. In my experience, musicians of all kinds are no more or less exceptional than any other group of people associated by hobby or job category. In my years, I've worked with a lot of folkies, a lot of other musicians, and a lot of other artists, and a lot of volunteers from all walks of life. I feel I can safely say that all folkies aren't wonderful, lovely people. So witness, maybe you have unrealistic expectations of the people you are working with, for starters. Again, I agree with Greg, its just as bad among amateurs as proferssionals.

That said, you seem to have a problem with folkies who, at some point in your community, created a hierarchy with themselves at the top, and for whatever reasons (money, ego, local 15 minutes of fame, power and influence over others) they are firmly entrenched and not giving and sharing like you, and probably every young aspiring folkie sort of musician in the area believes they should.

I wish you all the best of luck, because frankly, I don't think there are many areas where there is a folk presence in a local community, that this hasn't happened. It has happened where I live too. What the talented newcomers and young up and coming musicians have attempted to do, is to get gigs in the non-traditional places, or at least do house concerts, college shows, play coffee houses that aren't on their circuit. But even that doesn't always work, and if you are serious about performing, you have to go farther afield.

People really do become blinded by the positions they attain. I'd like to say that most folkies don't succumb to the trappings of fame (from local to international) and power, but in my experience, they absolutely do. And when they attain those positions, you have pry them out of their cold, dead hands before any newcomers are given a chance. I think this behavior actually improves among the most successful professional folk musicians who go on to national and international standing. But it doesn't disappear, by any means.

Anyway, good luck.