"folk musicians often seem to be elevated, on stage, performing set off by costume."

costume?! Maybe in America...?

"Often at festivals they arrive play and depart without making much of an impact."

Again, this must be an American phenomenon. At many English festivals the performers play or sing in sessions, pootle around, watch other performances - folk performers have to be some of the most accessible in the industry.

Still - lack of accessibility never prevented millions being inspired by Dylan and his ilk, and taking up the guitar in response. Again, the industrialised end of "folk" isn't what concerns me so much. I'm much more interested in as many kids as possible being taught that vital thing we've lost in just a couple of generations: music isn't just something to go and watch other people do on a stage, and it isn't just a commodity to be used to gain fame - it's about participation. To be honest, I wouldn't be that bothered about what kids were playing or singing, so long as lots of them were doing it. That's folk.