Conrad, what do you think folk music is for? You sound like a crackpot preacher, trying to spread the gospel of folk music for the good of people's souls. Everyone must learn some folk songs, not for enjoyment, apparently, but for some ill-defined salvation.

You talk about spreading folk music, but the music is already out there. CDs are in the shops, downloads are online, performances are on YouTube. It's even broadcast on radio and TV (not enough, but it's there) People come across folk sessions in pubs and bars. During the summer you can't go outdoors without tripping over morris dancers. Concerts and festivals are widely publicised. People know about folk music, they just don't want to listen to it. It's not ignorance, it's choice.

This has been said to you repeatedly, but I'll say it again: what you are asking for already exists. Everywhere. In fact, I'd go so far to say that the majority of folk events are informal, free or very low-cost performances by non-professionals. The others - concerts and festivals with professionals - exist in addition to these events. The existence of one doesn't interfere with the existence of another. Putting on a concert or a festival doesn't mean an informal session must be cancelled - or vice versa.

If you don't like professional performances, if you prefer the more informal events, that's fine - you have a choice. But don't say you can't afford them - if you can afford to spend $20 a night on beer, you can afford a ticket to a folk concert.

If, on the other hand, you personally feel excluded from and unwelcome at these events, consider that it might be due to your own behaviour and attitude.