I think that a few people have hit the nail on the head: If you're not seeing the youngsters, it's just because they are not where you are, they are just somewhere else. But they are out there, doing it. One of the places you could find them would be in the Ben Nevis bar in Glasgow a couple of nights a week.

I was part of a group that staged a couple of testimonial concerts in Glasgow last month. The headline performers were people you could describe as veterans, (Dick Gaughan, Mick West, Sheena Wellington, Arthur Johnstone and the Stars Band). However in both concerts, we had a healthy and vibrant contribution from musicians under 30 years of age (about 50 percent of the performers, I'd estimate). And these performers were chosen, not because we wanted to give them a chance or allow them to showcase their work, but because they would enhance the line up and deliver entertaining contributions to the event.

Some of these "youngsters" - like the Paul McKenna Band - are doing very well, thank you very much, touring in Europe and North America.
My son, who's 24, has come to traditional music via heavy metal, and now plays guitar in a busy ceilidh band, and is learning accordion (though I'm not necessarily saying that's a good thing).

So, at least in this corner of the world, the youngsters are present and participating, and carrying the tradition.

Cheers


Steven