Yes, Jim, I did indeed say "You say you expect a folk club to have "reasonably performed traditional songs coupled with new songs that have used traditional forms in their construction". and I followed that with Do we take it then that this is your definition of folk music?

To which you replied (01 Nov 17 - 05:25 AM) No (if your question made sense) how can an evening of songs become a folk song?

You say on the one hand this is what you expect at a folk club and on the other say that it does not define what you believe is folk music. Is it any wonder that I am confused as to what you believe?

You ask What is your definition if I have it, bearing in mind that nothing becomes a definition until it is generally accepted?

And I have already said, on numerous occasions, that it is the generally accepted bit that is important. If the right music is playing at a folk club it stands to reason that they are playing folk music as generally accepted by their audience.

You go on to ask What do you offer the punters who turn up at your "folk club"?

Not sure why you feel the need to put folk club in quotes but I shall let that pass and answer anyway. In the 35 years I ran a folk club and festival I offered well performed traditional and contemporary folk music. I do not want to provide a full list of names as that smacks of boasting but it includes

Martin Carthy
Nick Dow
The Wilsons
Vin Garbutt
Anthony John Clarke
The Oyster Ceilidh Band
The Orlyk Ukrainian Dancers
Tu'up (Ghanaian story teller)
And, as the posters say, many more.

So, I have defined what I believe to be folk music (again). I think you have confirmed that you believe folk music is a mix of traditional and contemporary songs. It seems we are in agreement as to what to expect at a folk club.

DtG