Im 17 (18 in 25 days) and Im a folkie (god that sounds like a start to a FA meeting (Folkies Anonymous) and to be honest I dont know what all the fuss is about! Ive never been bullied nor been the bully, ive never given a crap about what people think of my clothes,social class and manner, Ive never thought 'perhaps im wasting my life being with old folks' because Ive never thought it as unnatural. Ive been a folkie since i was old enough to walk, I went to sessions,singarounds,folk clubs and festivals and grew up being a morris dancer and performer. However my alternative lifestyle at school, I was in rock bands, I was a rebel, artist, hippy,prat, sporty person and general teenager. Going to rock concerts,festivals and pubs, clubs and parties.
I dont believe in segregation,i love music and life and believe folk music and co exist with everything else I do, I take my college friends (who are into garage,R'N'B and rock) to sessions and folk clubs but I dont get bullied for it, they just laugh and think im a little crazy, but Iam so I dont mind.

I think what Im trying to say is, if I dont do this all now, i wont do it when im 70. So to all those folkie teenagers out there, do what you want, say what you want and worry about the consequences when your older.

(and yes McGrath I noticed that when doing my autobiography and my band mates- www.mawkin.co.uk)