I am amused when folk performers are compared to visual artists, engineers, composers, and rock and classical musicians. Part of the folk genera that must be addressed is the 'folk' part of folk music. To me it is akin to regular people, not rock stars, not celebrities, and certainly not Charles Manson. This, admittedly compromising to the 'professional', is at the heart of the issue for me. Western consumer culture doesn't bide well with ordinary people doing house concerts, or songs that don't use cleavage as a 'communication' tool. Folk music is by and for folk. The folk profession is.......(please forgive my confusion).