You're right, the polls and national media aren't interested in the "ordinary" people - they're interested in the extra-ordinary, those people with more than ordinary talent which raises them above the rest of us, and gives them national and even international careers.

Of course there are lots of people making good music all around the country. But unless they play in folk venues, and unless they get off their arses and are prepared to travel to gigs anywhere in the country, they won't get noticed by the national folk media or the folk polls - and why should they? Why should the national media give space to a band that only gigs in its local area?

Of course its tough to break out and become nationally known. It takes determination and hard work, and usually a bit of luck. However once a band has made that breakthrough the media are usually pretty quick to pick up on something new.