Ron, the idea that folk music of today has become a specific community is very interesting and true. It does meld people together who like to play and sing. In earlier times, it was this kind of environment that spawned the so-called "traditional" culture-based folksong and that's why we know about it today.

Nowadays, people are hungry for a community-based musical experience. I don't personally care for a pub or bar setting but perhaps that's because it's different in the States then in the UK. Here, music in a bar becomes loud, and presented only to drunks who don't care about it. The pub has a different tradition it seems in the UK.

Here, the house concert seems to be the most reasonable approach to melding communities and potential audiences. After a concert, a jam session can occur or
the chairs can be moved aside for a contra or square dance. It seems to me that
the solo performer arises out of this environment and finds an appreciative support.
It's not American Idol which stresses an individual gymnastic show-biz approach to singing.

I like the concept of the celidh or ceili (formerly the "visit") where people participate in the entertainment through offerings of tunes, readings, poetry, and social dancing (not the show oriented "step-dancing" but the "home dances").

The song material can range from popular to traditional and if there is a healthy balance struck between solo performance and group participation, the of folk music is served.

Frank