Guest DB is correct in my opinion.
I'm also disturbed by the direction that "folk" music is moving in.
Always away from the roots of the music and towards a glitzy money driven "psuedo folk".
Who ever thought we would ever have to endure National Award cerimonies in folk music?
There's another thread started about inclusivness in folk music, and thats whats being lost. people have stopped listening to the music in large numbers because they can no longer relate to what is being written and the way in which it is being presented.

I have a friend who is one of the best writers of Scots song in the country . A truly wonderful communicator, whos work is full of all the things which define folk music, satire, pathos,comedy, emotion,and righteous fury.

A person who should be a "National treasure" finds it hard to have his music circulated because the record company has pronounced that it won't sell well enough to make it viable.

This cornerstone of our music is being deprived of a platform, while the BBC promote an image which is certain to turn off 99% of the people who view it.
Much of the blame admittedly lies with the "folk community" who often like to keep our wonderful secrets to ourselves.
But if we want folk music to become popular again, we must start to play to our strenths not our weaknesses....Ake