I think there's room for both. I spend most of my time playing in local sessions, or gigging with my ceilidh band. I don't often get along to see others perform. But I don't begrudge that some people are able to make a living from it. The professionals provide the rest of us with inspiration (and much of our repertoire) but they're just the tip of a much bigger iceberg.

Most are not after "fame" as such (becoming a folk musician would be a strange way to seek it) but recognition is a necessary part of getting enough work to keep going.