"I believe that thousands of people, myself included, walked away from the folk clubs because the labeling system broke down and we no longer knew what we were going to hear when we attended one."

That very well may be true. Still, it might have been for the best because the music has never been better. Jim, I would make a case that 40 or 50 years ago when those thousands of people started attending the clubs for the first time, they were responding to an increased commercial perception to the music. Here in the U.S. it was actually "cool" and "hip" to walk into a coffeehouse or spend a Sunday afternoon sharing music at Washington Square Park. When the folk era - or should I say folk error - ended, the music was left in the same shape that it was found.

While I understand that the statement bothers you, I have to respectully say that I do believe that many people spend to much time thinking about the music and missing the pleasures that can be derived from it.

Please understand, I am not saying that it wrong to study, collect and preserve the music. I think the opposite is true. It is important, and fun, to learn about the music and try to understand it in context.   This is highl enjoyable and there is a wealth of beauty to be gained by listening to what you and others term "traditional". Believe me, I do understand and respect your definition.

What gives me "ill tempered outbursts" is when I hear people dismiss contemporary music just because it is contemporary. There are many people that will make statements as if it is a badge of honor to walk out of folk clubs because they are hearing a singer-songwriter. No one forces anyone to take a liking to a music that does not appeal, but I think it is wrong to show disrespect to another persons art.

I may think that singing sea chanties are a silly pastime for landlubbers, or to hear college students who never left the suburbs singing songs of coal miners leaves a bad taste. But no, I think people learn something from by doing just that.

To me, "folk" music has been a way of learning about the past or learning about the people who made the music. I'll be damned if I am going to let a textbook definition stop me from learing something from a songwriter from Texas who happens to be writing a song about a personal event.

This morning on the radio I heard a host talking to Judy Collins. He said something to the effect - " it is wonderful to be able have a life while artists like Leonard Cohen are walking the earth.". To be able to experience music from writers like Dylan, Cohen, John Prine and so many others IS a contemporary TRADITION.   

You might not be attending folk clubs these days, but you can rest assured that there are thousands who have replaced you and are enjoying the songs that are being created today.   No, it will not fit a textbook definition, but it doesn't have to.

Live and let live.