There's no predicting the future: too many variables. Here in Canada, the drive-drink laws have spelled the demise of many rural taverns, which used to be the starting place for many young bands, whatever music they played. In the cities, that doesn't apply, and the cities continue to grow, meaning more chance for niche filling bars where local music gets played.

However, rural people (at least in the Maritimes) are creating and attending more festivals, where you can camp for several days, drink your beer relatively unhindered, and hear not just stage music, but tons of field pickin', where you find scads of beginning players hanging about the old fellas, listening and learning.

And of course, we have a long tradition of kitchen parties, ceilidhs, firehall dances and Legion events. I heard some of the best bluegrass you can hear, from a local group at a Legion benefit for cadets a month ago.

And here I am, with a ten year old neice who'll soon surpass me musically, but she listens to the songs I sing. Music of the folk will most likely survive, and I doubt it will depend on the existence of folk clubs 'over there' or taverns over here.