I don't think any of the Seeger have anything to apologise for. I never said they did. Their contribution has been enormous. Peggy and Pete have shown generosity of spirit to me personally.

But when you're a pot you should show proper respect for the ethnic origins of the kettle.

as to your other point:-
'folk' has become meaningless and can now refer to anything from the Child ballads to the compositions of George Gershwin or William McGonagall.

I went a songwriting workshop with Pete Morton today at Grantham folk festival. Pete said something interesting during his little lecture. Namely that folkmusic isn't 'factory line' stuff. It sort of binds us together.

If you find the humanity in a piece of music, maybe that's just another word for folk, isn't it?

best wishes

al