"No, Ron, you tossed a lot of generalities around, and, no argument, did it with great vigor, but as far as giving any criteria for figuring out what constitutes "contemporary folk", how to differentiate it from contemporary singer/songwriter stuff, or how it might be connected to
"traditional" folk music of one kind or another, you haven't done it-"

Very well stated and very true.

Ron, it's appearing that it's folk music because YOU say so. It is appearing more and more to be self serving to your radio efforts. I've heard your radio show. Unfortunately I've turned it off before to listen to some folk music.

Sometimes I think it becomes folk music when it's covered by others. It spreads the word about the song. It's heard by more than one artist's audience. Maybe that's the community you should be referring to.