What you consider 'folk music' seems to be such a personal thing - it means something different to each person I think.

I'm English and, for me, the words 'folk music' mean folk music from the British Isles. Folk music from other cultures is, to me, World Music. Going further, again for me personally, folk music is Traditional British Music. This is obviously a VERY PERSONAL DEFINITION and I don't want to be attacked for it as I'm not trying to stuff it down anyone else's throat!

A folk club I go to has a very good regular who sings Gershwin's 'Summertime'. It's a gloriously lovely song but, for me, it definitely isn't folk music. Do I therefore object to her singing it? Well, no - but I still don't think it's 'folk' so I wouldn't sing it at a folk club.

As soon as I hear the words 'here's a song that I wrote ...' I have to confess that my heart sinks and, usually, I just endure the offering that follows and hope that the next person will play a Morris tune or sing a traditional song. There are exceptions (Virginia Barrett comes to mind as a young singer/songwriter of great talent who is always worth listening to).

So my own personal definition of folk music is quite specifically British Traditional. I don't insist that you agree with me - find or create your own definition (or accept the 1954 one if you like). The important thing, I think is this: please, don't try to tell others what they should like!!