My daughter, when she was younger, liked the modern beat combo 'Busted'; appalling, I know. But through Busted she investigated their cited influence 'Green Day'. From 'Green Day' she went on to the 'Ramones' and from the 'Ramones' she's got into more bands than I can keep track of.

My point is that, even if you don't care for Seth's music, perhaps other (younger?) fans may investigate his influences and discover Barry Dransfield or the many other artists who have shaped the Lakeman style. My way into the music was the Dubliners, now I spend far too much on recordings by often obscure artists within (sometimes only tenuously) the 'folk' genre. If Seth is the trojan horse that gets new blood into the folk world, I, for one, would be happy.

If, as North East Folkie states, we are all FOLKIES, we should welcome the success that Seth is having; even if some of you don't like the messenger, surely you can appreciate the message. Just so long as they the new recruits don't grow beards, develop a taste for woollen wear and beans and choose pewter as the material of choice for their drinking vessels (only joking).