Paul - rest assured, I KNOW that people like you are out there! I love British folk music (traditional and contemporary) and my playlists for my radio show recognize that. I see a great respect for the traditions, but I also see musicians on your side of the pond NOT being held back by traditions. They embrace the traditions and carry it on - in a fashion that is still contemporary AND respectful (at least in my opinion).    I wish American artists had the same foresight to embrace OUR traditions more. I'm encouraged by what I am seeing in recent years (Mammals, Crooked Still, etc.), but for many years "folk" was a four letter word. That is changing. What comes up won't be your grandparents vision of folk music, but it is indeed folk music in its natural evolution!

Place like Mudcat tend to attract staunch defenders of the tradition, and these are people I admire greatly. Their work has enabled me to enjoy this music.   It does bother me that some of these people seem to thrive on putting up roadblocks and become dictorial in sharing their views.

Thanks for your note Paul - I am glad that you represent the vast majority of music lovers on your side of the Atlantic! Keep it going!!!