Would any sort of "folk" survive without the professionals? Probably not in the UK, where society is far too fragmented to have a cohesive sense of demotic tradition. But Scotland and Ireland would probably be fine. America?

Music - and traditional music - survives these days, whether there are 'professionals' or not involved in it. Just take a look at the number of tunes and song sessions and non-guest nights in folk clubs going on throughout the week all over the UK. All unpaid. All people just getting on with it, enjoying it, chatting, drinking, playing, singing, and getting chucked out at closing time.

I could be out, if I chose, every evening this week at some folk-based event or other in my area. But I've decided to go to just 3 and take a break on the other 4 evenings. And not a 'professional' in sight - unless, of course, we're all 'professionals' in the widest sense of the word...