And the point is?

Were these people actually successful in getting the majority of mainstream america to learn and sing these songs for more than a short while in a fad sense?

Yes they collected, I have collected. Most people in america today can not sing you a folksong.

Thats the problem.

Should we continue with the status quo?

NO

Who has benefitted from this- Professional Musicians and professional folklorists teaching in universities. And of course festival speculators and rip off venues.

Conrad