I have no objection to entrants or even winners not being traditional. But the term 'folk', as we've understood it for the last half-century, has included new music written within a traditional framework. When Bob Dylan emerged, it was evident that his music was following in the footsteps of Woody Guthrie and others, and the whole 50s/60s American 'contemporary folk' genre stemmed recognisably from Old Time/Appalachian/Blues roots. Similarly, the output of British writers such as Ewan MaColl (SP?) was within traditional parameters. A lot of the stuff I'm hearing these days isn't. As I said in my first post, I have a pretty broad definition of Folk Music. But I'm not hearing much these days that lies within that definition.
Referring back to Folknacious' jibe; I was young (early 20s) when I first sang in the folk clubs. And here's a shocker for you: I was a singer/songwriter. I could, however, even then, tell the difference between 'contemporary folk' and 'other stuff that isn't folk'.
None of this has anything to do with age - mine or anybody else's.
John Kelliosaur.