Art,

Respectfully, I have to take exception to both of your "givens".

I do think, and have relationships with, many people who are involved with traditional music. One image that I will always remember from this year's NERFA was of a 21 year old Nyckelharpa player - who I saw jamming in the lobby with another Nyckelharpa player.   Amongst the sea of singer-songwriters there were two individuals reaching back to an old tradition and bringing it to modern use. Traditional music does indeed necessitate an interest in holding on to musical history - and I feel it safe to say new generations will also be exploring.

Does that mean traditional music is as popular as it was 40 years ago? Perhaps not, but then again it may have always been a specialized interest. If we subtract the "folk revival" from the equation and all the COMMERCIAL interest that was stirred, we probably have the same level of interest in trad music.

Can we do a better job of teaching others? Absolutely!   Can we do a better job of exposing the music to others? Sure thing!   Are we preserving our musical heritage? I would answer a resounding "yes".

Your other point about "booking practices" and giving the audience what they want - I have to say from experience that traditional music does not draw audiences and will not bring in cash. The low attendance at Eisteddfod is an example - probably the finest collection of traditional musicians and a price that was affordable - but the audience wasn't there. I've booked traditional music at the Hurdy Gurdy and watched people stay home in droves.

Does that mean we give up? Hell no! We need to mix traditional with contemporary and show the connection that Deb is talking about. It works, and I see a lot of young performers who are discovering the traditions and making it part of their own. It might not please the ears that grew up during the folk revival era, but it is a way that reaches a new generation with new needs and perceptions. While you can learn by looking at old models, you cannot expect a Model A Ford to keep up with the traffic on todays highways.

Deb pointed out that the "trad community has been running away from FA for a long time now" and that is 100% true, and a big part of the problem. Without support and interest from the members, the Folk Alliance has no incentive to promote traditional music.   Simply holding a showcase is not enough.   The issue is not preaching to the choir, it is how to get enough members to join the choir to show their faces and raise their voices to be heard.