Though how exactly you expect to keep in touch with what IS folk music to ordinary people without visiting the haunts of folk music enthusiasts,

An interesting thought which makes two assumptions neither of which are correct. The first assumption is that "....what IS folk music ..." can be found in folk clubs. The second is that folk clubs are the haunts of folk music enthusiasts. I would contend that many of them are not. They are just people who play the guitar and sing to their mates who also sing and play the guitar. Since I do neither I stoipped going.

In fact I go to a couple of two/three sessions a week, minimum of one every week. I went to eight festivals last year where as well as listening to some major artists there I make a point of looking at the lesser-known. The largest was Warwick where I did NOT go to Seth Lakeman and did go to Mike and Ali Vass. The smallest festival Iwent to was the Bradfield Traditional Festival. Sometimes the sessions come to me - most notably outside my tent at 4.00 am at Warwick.

I went to a couple of concerts and a couple of folk clubs where people I wanted to see were booked as guests and were performing. (Spiers and Boden; Frankie Gavin and Tim Edey). I also went to an academic conference on the Folk Revival last year. So I doubt if I am out of touch.

Since I am sure we can agree that the amount of folk music has vastly expanded since the "heyday" of folk clubs in the 60's/70's as the folk club has declined what makes you think folk clubs are the place where ".......where folk music IS"?

Let me turn the question around.

What makes you think that folk clubs are where it is? If people are moving the performances of folk music forward do you think it is happening in folk clubs? More likely in workshops and at festivals and sessions. Take a look at the Demon Barbers website and see his Yorkshire Dance video with break dancers, a human beat box and some clogging. You don't have to like it and it may not go any further but what a great attempt to move folk forward.

Criticise my taste in the various aspects of folk music if you like - all you have to do is listen to the radio show I do......but do not tell me I am out of touch because I rarely go to folk clubs.