Let me recommend two books. Pete Seegers "Incompleat Folksinger" and Ronald Cohens "Rainbow Quest". Each offers perspective and history behind the music. I think it is valuable to learn some more about the musicians you are listening to.

Check out the folk radio shows in the area that you live in. While I have a bit of bias with this suggestion, I do think that you will discover great traditional and contemporary music that you will appreciate. If you live in the U.S. or Canada you might consider XM Satellite radio. Their folk channel "The Village" has some diverse offerings.

Your note and the artists you mentioned sound familiar as they were some of my first interests as well, and I am sure many Mudcatters feel the same.

I would suggest Rev. Gary Davis, Ed McCurdy, Cisco Houston, Phil Ochs, and especially Dave Van Ronk. These are artists that were popular during the Revival and beyond. It will grow from there!