I used to call them singer-songwhiners, but I grew up.    While it is not my cup of tea, I can understand the attraction that some have to the self-absorbed pouring out of the writers soul.   There are brilliant singer-songwriters who do NOT do that, and they should not be lumped into a stereotype.

Singer-songwriters, folk singers, and singers of folk songs (as Pete Seeger calls himself)are all part of the U.S. Folk tradition of the last 100 years. Bless em all! I do not give a rat's patootie what you call them - the music is what counts.