I was in a square-dance band in college; we also had a neo-Appalachian band and several solo performers on campus. We weren't coolest acts but we were certainly some of the better-respected musically.

Speaking as a "younger" person--I'm 25--I've been a member of two acoustic music clubs for 10 years, and I find I have a hard time being taken seriously. I'm always being asked to teach songs I've arranged, but nobody ever learns them (they seem to get them in the class, I just don't think they practice). I was music director for a year for one club and it was impossible to get any support; I had to beg each month for people to teach and often, they didn't show up. I would hear muttered complaints but when I asked for suggestions at club meetings, nobody said anything. I don't know if I just had the bad luck to be in office when everyone was having a bad year, or if they all still think of me as a child, but I almost didn't renew my membership this year because I was sick putting the work in and not getting any feedback or encouragement.

I'm not saying that older folkies are ageist--I know that they aren't--but I often feel like a novelty, or an affirmative action case, instead of a member of the group.