Eric-

Aren't there places in Arizona where people just get together--not to make money-- but just to sing and play things they know--or think they do--without reading them out of books? Music parties, jam sessions or similar?

I would think that's where the folk tradition is more likely to carry on--people just singing things the way they think they go--and likely, as a result, changing the words, and possibly the melodies.

Seems to happen around here. (DC area)