the problem here doesnt seem to be with the term folk but more how some people are defining it. people limit themselves by defining a thing too tightly. someone playing a guitar by himself aint neccesarily folk music and some one you think is a fake aint neccesarily so.calling music whatever you like is ok as long as you like what you play....i dont know if something is commercial or sponsered its fake man thats alot of good people to be tarring with that brush...maybe folk to you aint folk to me and vice versa but i dont like all the negativity i read here like some of you wearing folk like it is some kinda holy vestament or something its another expresion like country or the blues or jazz or rock or classical i try and find something to like in most music and if i cant i see that as a personal thing not a condemnation of a whole genre ....guess thats not clear at all but i just play i dont write too good