I noticed the thread on song collecting in Ireland, focusing on "Travelers" singing/playing in pubs. And, that made me think about something.

I own/operate a small acoustic music store, with several teachers, and I go to many rural festivals. I routinely hear songs from people (when coaxed) that they heard decades ago from their grandparents or great-grandparents, and they can usually remember parts of them. I try to find them for them, and mudcat has been a great resource.

More often though, since I have so many fiddlers around the store, I hear very "regional" tunes or versions of songs that were peculiar to that area.

Are others seeing this in other parts of the US. I'm in southeast Tennessee (USA).
Steve in Chattanooga