There are two ways of answering this question running through my head (it doesn't take long to get from one side of it to the other). On the one hand, I think the truest answer is that no one person defines folk, as by definition it covers so many nationalities, ethnicities, genres and styles, that the essence of folk music makes it an impossible question to answer, as others (like McGrath of Harlow) have pointed out. That in itself is a celebration of folk music.

The other route I take is that of looking at performers, taking all the above points into account. Is there one performer who, in the folk-listening public mind, has been the strongest influence on the most people. Has Woody Guthrie's influence on U.S. folk music been stronger than Martin Carthy's influence on British folk music? Etc.

Given all that, my vote goes to the growing movement for Elwood J. Plunkerton.

Chanteyranger