Folk music is open to interpretation these days. It seems there is no agreement on how to define it.

It's music that connects with people. Instead of history which is facts, it tells about how people felt at one time or another.

It will always be relevant because it is the deepest expression of
humanity and culture(s). It will be relevant because it embraces those values of respect for tradition, caring about how people felt, music that is simple but sincere and unadorned with specious complexity, carried on by those who are not necessarily in the spotlight or in the media,
and shared from generation to generation away from the corrupting influence of those who use market forces to gain power in the music industry.

It will be critical when it's necessary to do so. It will be topical because that is what concerns everyday people. It will be made up, composed, changed, altered to fit new circumstances, flexible, resilient in the face of commercialism and not subject to the whims of a greedy, disposable musical product for public consumption. It's not a musical candy bar, coke machine, MacDonald burger or plastic cup to be thrown away after its use. It stays because it is of substance and reflects the courage of culture(s) to survive.

Frank Hamilton