Great to see this topic revived, and to be reminded by Fair Ellender that the wonder of these songs is in the sharing - the performance, the experience, the knowledge.
A recent ballad workshop in Glasgow (Scotland) saw Sheila Stewart at her inimitable best, in total command of her material and her audience. And half the audience was under 30/35 years old! After Sheila's contribution, there were unaccompanied ballads from the audience, including 'The Two Sisters', 'Lord Randal', 'Earl Richard', 'Fair Rosianne', 'May Colvin', 'Young Emsley', 'The Unquiet Grave' and 'The Wife of Usher's Well', in addition to other great songs.
Feedback was very positive, people talked of feeling uplifted and the camaraderie was palpable.
Both Gordeanna McCulloch and I have been so heartened by the ongoing response (8 events since January and the 9th to come on 27th June) that the workshops will be continuing in September. It all goes to show that ballads are both attractive and accessible and that the time-honoured technique of learning from the auld yins still has something to offer.