As for names this discussion does not need them- just look at the tours of those who claim to be folk musicians.
when musicians tour rather than keep the music local there are costs and those costs are passed along to the consumer therefore they are barriers. trick for performers is to build their local market- remove local barriers and they wont have to travel.

It all goes together build direct involvement teach and even free events will grow-but only if people feel welcome. Tone down the political polarities reduce costs, accept less than pro performance

I never advocated a beer bust however, I want to get rid of the feeling that those who have more than one or two arent welcome. If a person behave themselves no one should frown upon them or keep them from drinking by high prices designed for that purpose. Some people are shy and enjoy things much more after drinking.

Quality= there is a spectrum of adequate. We need to be sure that all on that scale have access are considered to have value are included. I see too much emphasis on the elevation of the super pro. The limited funding needs to be better distributed. Folk music unlike all other genres should not worship the super star. instead focus on the music and the intimate small setting cultural reality. Something you live and dont buy or rent.

amplification- dont need it research daniel o connell and his mass gatherings, tell your audience to shut up, make your audiences smaller just play a few more times. I tell stories- I can easily tell for 4 hours without much break. i would much rather tell to a great audience of 20 five times rather than a remote audience of 100. The difference of experience is overwhelming same with music.

There is a significant body of evidence documenting folk music as part of the lifeway. Sorry. songs of occupation for example. Study the Irish tradition. Study pub history pre 1945 when ordinary individuals came into pubs to play study 16th century england when all gentlemen were expected to play and instruments were available for them in pubs...dancing at the cross roads.....I could go on and on. This sort of music as lifeway rather than profession I observed in the streets of newcastle as well as at weddings in NJ in the 70s.

No virtue in thinking small don yes we can expand the circle! It is much smaller than it can be. Just relax and help it expand.

Folk music is supported by several legs all are worthy each needs to be as strong as the other. Recorded and archived music is only one. Performance only one, music as lifeway is one and that is the weak link.
Each leg can fail and we have to rely on the others.
do you know what happened to the Library of alexandria?

why do you insist that preservation of songs in the minds of a very few professionals is significant. Surely preservation is best when it extends to everyone. You just dont want the competition. If everyone had the songs what would you do- you wouldn't be special would you and people would notice when you missed a line. Standards would be higher

pete seegers success was in selling the genre to people who knew nothing about it and did not know they might like it. you want us to not sell the music you believe people arent reachable you seem to want to keep it contained. bushel firmly over candle

don yes there are exceptions but they are rare. We need to push for 100% everyone can volunteer at most one day a year or so. Easy a public service like jury duty it should be ensured by law.
The important thing about all volunteer free festivals-
THEY WORK
It is hard to argue that there is anything more accessible and positive and good for the music. whats holding us back- simple- even though as many claim there is no money in it- people still have their minds on the money and not on the music. Why else would they keep maintaining the expense?

Howard- there is some value in huge concerts it is however limited
folk music works best in smaller groups- this is not disputed. Simply have the performer stay for the day. Perform to small groups 2-30 several times. I have done this. each year I tell Irish stories a halloween to 500 girl scouts 30 or so at a time. The experience is wildly wonderful. The learning is awesome. And all you need to do is work. Clearly big audiences are in existence to increase profits and minimize effort. No excuses for this please it is not good.

Conrad