McMullen said: Many of these talented youngsters are nurtured almost from birth, sometimes by parents who are themselves professional folk artists. It does raise a nagging doubt in my mind - are these youngsters being fast-tracked into folk stardom?

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Here's a question - was Tom Clough, the Northumbrian piper 'fast-tracked' to being called the prince of pipers because he came from a piping family? What about griot families? I'd have thought young people learning from their parents the skills, the tunes - and, yes, where to get gigs - was actually quite traditional.

Sorry, I'm drifting back to a few posts previously but have only had a chance to catch up with the latest contributions.