Elaine - you are exactly right. the tradition informs and inspires and occasionally stultifies the folk process.

To devote your life to honouring and trying to play the tradition is laudable - and probably as demanding as trying to be an opera singer

But its not the whole folk process, which is to do with people writing about their lives using all sorts of techniques and whatever they feel they need to express themselves..

Don't be just a guest, we need some more people with your point of view.