Its like the hunting thing Jerry; in England it polarises people on a class basis.

Folk is music that demands an intelligent and listening audience in a way that much pop music doesn't. The instruments can't be turned up to eleven. Its music, much of which, doesn't fit into brash and noisy surroundingd with chattering drunken audiences.

Some people can't resist the impulse to make it even more exclusive - and so we have talk of a esoteric 'tradtion' that only the initiated and wise will comprehend and appreciate.