Larry,

Either you misquote me or I wasn't clear.   I honestly have to listen to the interview to hear what you are referring to.

You might be referring to a comment that I made saying that there was a time when "folk" music just wasn't cool. The singer-songwriter explosion of the 80's and 90's led to a downplay of what most people consider "traditional" music. I'm not saying that what contemporary writers are doing isn't in the tradition, but there were some people who thought it just wasn't "cool" to sing Child Ballads or sea chanteys so most NEW artists were trying to sell their own wares. In recent years you have artists that are going back to the tradition and finding these old gems. There is a sense of history and self that we lose when we ignore the songs of our past.   

I've always felt that songwriters are part of the tradition. ALL folk songs have a start somewhere. If you read my playlist you will see that I give a fair share of my program to the songwriter.

I try to speak to what I feel most consider "traditional" as opposed to "contemporary".   Singer/Songwriters have become lumped into the "contemporary". The musicologist faction do tend to dismiss their contribution, and I think they miss something by doing that. Your point is well taken and it is one that I've always subscribed to.

On that note, I will say that I have complained about what I call singer-songwhiners. My personal definition of folk song, and one of the critera that I use to program my show, is that songs should offer something that can be shared. My personal taste is that I don't care for over-introspective songs. To me it is much like reality TV, there may a voyeuristic thrill at first but after a while it becomes a substitute for real feelings.   

Keep the songwriters and song interpreters coming!

Ron