I think that is the whole point of this thread, Shimrod. Some are of the opinion that fans of traditional English folk do not deserve their own label. That trad folk, somehow, presents a threat to other forms of music that may or may not be folk. There it all gets terribly confusing.

I know most of us on here are of the opinion that it doesn't matter at all if someone performs non-trad songs at a folk club. But, as the title suggests, there are others who would love to see traditional English music 'put in it's place' by taking it over with singer-songwriters and American Indian chants. They also seem to think that the fans of traditional folk are trying to get other forms of music banned.

Me? What do I know. I like Martin Carthy, Bob Dylan, New Model Army and The Piarces...

DtG

(and Roy Harper of course :-) )