As a ballad singer, I used to have the habit of buying any CD featurimg a traditional ballad, which meant I heard a lot of versions of the more popular ones, such as "Two Sisters." I find I have very strong opinions (surprise, surprise!). I like to hear different versions of things. I feel compelled to sing those I really like. Also, if I like a singer, I will look for him or her singing songs I already like.

I have never done an extensive search for all of the versions of one song.

Re: "Hard Times": I had heard the song for years, knew all of the words, know several other Stephen Foster songs, but I never felt compelled to sing it until I heard Laura Love's version on the radio. She took liberties (invented a whole second chorus, which some people will hate), may have even have gone a little too far. Her version turned the song into a prayer for me, so I sing a Laura-Love-inflected version now.