IMO folk music as it stands today probably wouldn't exist without the people who collected a lot of the old songs from the original singers. I think that most of the collectors would probably fit into the category of 'middle class'.

Looking back, before the era of radio and TV, people had to make their own entertainment and so it is probable that, the lower down the scale one came as far as class was concerned, one of the main entertainment may have been singing songs that related to their lives and to history. nowadays, with the dirth of entertainment options available to everyone, folk music has taken a real backseat, partially due, I think, to the reputation it has as being dated.

In most of the folk groups I've been to there is a real mix of people from many walks of life. Their common interest is in the music. whoever is keeping the music going, I would say thanks for that.

Johnny J - have you tried to get a folk session going in your area? If not, why not?