"My own definition of traditional music includes new songs that sound like traditional songs and have been absorbed into the playing of those who play music from whatever tradition they're in. This suits my notion of traditional music being a living, growing thing that is not just historical music."

I'm not sure why you are getting defensive John - I agree with your previous statement 100%. No need to feel guilty, I have no knowledge of you knocking the music of others.

Read some of the pithy comments that get posted here and on other threads. Labeling contemporary folk music as "pap" ignores the fine singer-songwriters who are writing songs that do fit the definitions that have been thrown about here as to what constitutes folk music. Unless I read her wrong, Crow Sister seems to define folk music as "English Speaking Traditional Folk Song and Ballad", which seems to be the case for many posters here.   

Nothing wrong with that. It fits the criteria. Of course, the same criteria can fit other catagories and styles. When those styles are knocked is when I take exception. There is a difference between pop and folk, but "pop" is also a more recent phenomenon.

What really irritated me is the number of people who seemed to take issue with Andy's work.   I think deep down, most of us agree with what he is doing and we are all looking to promote and expose others to traditional music.   Our conflicts come up when we let our own feelings become gospel - and I am guilty of doing that too.

I just like to see more support for the Andy Cohen's of the world who don't sit around posting on Mudcat and expect the work to be continued. Andy is doing something that is real important - and he is exposing the very singer-songwriters that some consider "pap" to the music that the rest of us know and love.

I was at a Folk Alliance event a few years ago when Dave Van Ronk was still with us. A hat was being passed around to help Dave financially. One rather prominent singer-songwriter said to me "Who is Dave Van Ronk?"    THAT is why Andy's work is important, and rather than focusing on the shortcomings, I feel we need to celebrate the positive work.

Of course that is just my opinion. I will leave now and you can continue with your discussion that was going on before my interuption.

Have a great day.