"Nope - I'm lying - I know exactly what they would have made of it.
Jim Carroll"

As a relative newcomer, I truly believe Jim C, that there is plenty of room for all. That is what happens in amateur 'folk' circles, and as one of those who do sing mostly traditional songs, I personally love the eclectic mix of offerings you get at amateur 'folk' circles (Blues, Beatles, and whatnot). Indeed at one of the folk song meets I attend I *verge* on being the sole voice of traditional unaccompanied song there. Though I expect, given your prior comments about the work of others, that you would most likely dismiss my own efforts as meaningless pop. As I haven't invested a lifetime in the trade, it wouldn't sting any, but I do feel that some of your err negative comments, might not be particularly supportive of a cause which you yourself (unlike me a recent hobbyist) *have* invested a lifestimes energy into.

What has happened, is that people - who have ever gathered together to sing songs - are still doing so (albeit a re-kindled 'tradition' of gathering together to share in such a manner). But the songs they now sing are not necessarily only 'traditional folk songs', as people prior to the invasion of radios and musical media (who *were* dependent on oral transmission) might have done. Now they sing the songs that *they* hear, in fact just the same as 'the folk' did in days past.

However there are the more specialist folk events, which cater to 1954 tastes, they term themselves 'Traditional Folk'. I've only been to one such self-defined event in my short career as an amateur folk enthusiast, but they are out there - albeit in the minority. I hope these gain more recognition and support from the powers that be. Because they deserve to.
I personally feel, that the 'fate' of traditional song, now that it is no longer a 'real' aspect of culural continuity, aught not to be dependent upon the variable fate of the genre of 'folk' in the music industry, or indeed those small gatherings of people who like to sing and play together (under the convenient *name* of folk):

I do not believe - now that traditional song has been disconnected from 'the folk' - that we can allow it to remain subject like some failing Siamese sibling, to its healthier sister/s. Traditional song should stand alone on its own right, as a part of our collective cultural heritage, worthy of pushing down kids throats just the same as any other artistic discipline (like Shakespeare or Blake). Without such formal support, I feel it could indeed fade out altogether.