Oh boy, where to start!
Supporting evidence for Gloux' original comment: in the Phila area most people who know that we play "traditional music" say "oh, will we see you at the Philly Folk Festival?" and I say "no, the people who run Philly seldom if ever book old time music." We still don't know WHY they feel that way. But the phenomenon is real-- in this area at least.
Martin Gibson-- think Gloux' most recent post a very good question: Fiddlin'Arthur Smith and the Dixieliners are an old time band-- but how come Smith's "sidemen" weren't?
   I think there IS some justice in the idea that a selection of fiddle tunes, with guitar, banjo (and mandolin and bass) alone can be much more interesting to those playing it (or dancing to it) than the listener. But the old bands weren't like that! From my own hero Charlie Poole to the Skillet Lickers and the Bucklebusters . . . everybody has their own favorites. The first of the revival bands, the NLCRamblers, did about 3 songs to every instrumental. Highwoods ditto. Red Clay Ramblers ditto. Those guys put on a good show!

And as for topical songs by good singer-songwriters. . . we're starting to sing songs in code these days, like Tenting Tonight (Many are the hearts that are weary tonight, wishing for the war to cease) and Franklin D. Roosevelt's Back Again. . .

And lastly, I hope that anybody who ever gets a chance will RUN buy a ticket to hear the Run of the Mill String Band, Gloux, guitarist. They are an exception to my opinion in para 3 above.