Richard Bridge 'Image and presentation are still less important than content'

Try telling that to the millions of Garth Brooks fans.
I borrowed some CD's from the library to see if I could understand the attraction. Only 1 track was worth listening to IMO.
His biggest attraction appears to be when he 'flies' around the audience on wires & smashes guitars onstage.
Thats why he is the highest earning 'singer'.

If a 'folkie' could get that sort of exposure then the genre could make headway with the general public but at what expense?

It seems there are two extremes here & it depends on personal preference which way to go.
Youth of today receive the media message that money is success, so will tend to the GB way rather than content.
I see/hear many with great technical skill but little 'feeling' for the music. Whether they will develop this feeling depends on which 'extreme' they favour. (IMO)