"I believe the serious face of folk music stops people getting access to the tradition as much as the inclusion of pop in clubs. Youngsters simply won't run the gauntlet of BS to be told what is and isn't 'authentic'."

When I was a 'youngster' (a long, long time ago) I became interested in folk song because it 'rang my bell' more than the pop music of the time and it was "the serious face of folk music" which kept me interested. I didn't have to run any "gauntlet of BS" but I did get to meet some of the great names of the time and to listen to both their music and their wise words on the subject (I don't remember any 'BS').

I must admit that I do get a bit fed-up with you droning on about "acts of faith" 'glueman'. The theoretical background to folk music is based on thousands of hours of observation and research undertaken by some very talented and insightful people - whereas your vague musings seem to have been dreamed up in odd moments between scratching your arse and picking your nose. To dismiss all of that hard work in favour of a few arbitrary notions and prejudices seems to me to be the height of arrogance.