We do not have pubs in the U.S., but we do have bars. Bars are not exactly family oriented establishments (I don't think pubs are either) and folk music does not exist on the jukeboxes.

Folk music is presented in churchs and schools by primarily volunteer organizations. There are commercial establishments that feature folk music, but I would argue that they are not the primary venue these days.

There is an audience for "folk" music, in all it's various forms. Getting back to Martin's original point, I just don't think that many people discuss it on this forum.