An old thread, a year ago perhaps Shimrod. It wouldn't matter at all, I certainly don't feel wounded, except there is a perception that folk is about being right, scoring points, being pedantic, cantankerous, exclusive - usually under the banner of inclusion and bonhommie (on certain terms!) - anything but the damned music, which that sort of response plays into the hands of.

Those involved would say those who 'get it' get it and those who don't are beyond help. The question is what is this 'it'. The more I read the more I conclude there is no it, or one person's it is different to another's. You want to make 1954 a shibboleth? Fine, we'll write one for 2009. As someone noted, they ain't legally binding, they're notions, abstracts, an attempt at a history from scattered fragments and high ideals.

The funny part is my taste is very traditional (when we're talking about the tradition and not contemporary folk music), something I fear is lost on the critics.
I agree with SS and Will Fly's observation that tradition or folk, it's all entertainment now. When people get that, the BS wars will be over.