As others may have said Lonnie did probably bridge the gap between U.S folk and open ears to the likes of Woodie Guthrie and Co, and with he influx in the early 60's of Dylan, Lomaxm Seeger and Co, that led to Ewan McColl's protection and ressurrection of English Folk and the singers clubs. So, while I'd agree Lonnie's own music may hot have been brilliant, he did have much more effect on music history in the folk sense, and in particular motivating youngsters to take up or make their own instruments