"And thereby hangs the problem, they are important - important to the survival of the genre, that is."

Absolutely not. Your feeling about folk clubs and "singer-songwriters" does not change the survival of Folk music (with a capitol F). Folk music will always exist.

It is not for any of us to decide who "shoulders out" a form of music. Tastes, styles, and traditions change. You can only observe and reflect, not manipulate the changes that will naturally occur.

Will it exist in the way you grew up as a collector and researcher? Of course not. You are only kidding yourself if you ever thought it would. Folk music is a living tradition and it involves many cultures, many styles, and many eras.

You've done amazing work in your lifetime. You should be commended, and I am grateful for what you have done. What you have accomplished has led to the continuation of the traditions - and the creation of new traditions.