Lately I have been noticing yet another way in which folk music is "alternative". Take a look at virtually all of the female pop and country music stars. Nearly all of them got into the limelight not only because of their talents, but also because of their physical attributes. In my opinion some of them have far more of the latter than of the former.

One of the things I truly admire about folkies is that physical appearance seems to have little to do with their enjoyment of female artists. This is not to say that the male audience has no appreciation for physical beauty. It just seems to me that, for the most part, it is about the music.

Personally, a woman who can put her heart into a good folksong can get my attention every time.