Don, I do understand your points. It was not my attention to insult any decent songwriter, or to keep invalid perceptions alive.

It is an easy play on words, and there are probably others who have used it as well. The term came to me several years ago when I was having a discussion with someone about audience perceptions AND actual examples of music that was too self-serving. Singer-songwhiner seemed to fit the image. I started using the expression on my radio show, but ONLY when I was showing an artist who did NOT fit the term. My point was to attack the image that had grown of these "singer-songwriters". People were staying away from the clubs because they were tired of the similarity in the music and the introspective nature that did not easily open up to commonality. My point was to show that the image is wrong. Sometimes humor can work to point out the silliness in stereotypes.

Like any artform, there is mediocrity. Sometimes it is abundant. I've known many strong songwriters who could not catch a break. I've known others that got lucky with one song and gave up trying. I know too many good songwriters are out there that are not encouraged. I know too many terrible songwriters that are not given honest feedback.

Personally I take offense at "folk nazi", for a variety of reasons and I would never use the term. "Folk police" will suffice.