In the last analysis Otis - you must do what is right for you.

Folk is more of a smorgasbord than a set menu. Its no use saying the only real folkmusic is this or that. You might get up on stage and find you haven't got the right length fingers, the comic or narrative talents and your sound crap or you're boring everybody, or even worse - you're boring yourself.

Find some music you enjoy doing or writing about and give it your best. It position or non position in folkmusic will become apparent to you eventually.

Folk is a bit like God - it regardeth more the thoughts of the heart than outward displays.