A lot of people here would do well to bear in mind that everybody, whether musician,singer or songwriter, has to start somewhere. This is just as valid for Woody Guthrie,Pete Seeger, Ewan McColl, Richard Thompson etc. as for Fred Bloggs who has just plucked up the courage to sing one of his own songs at his local folk club. Some of us develop, some don't, some go on to pop groups and/or talent shows and possibly fame and fortune. It wouldn't surprise me if the singer-songwriters listed above eventually consigned their early efforts to the flames or the shredder long ago. I know that I did that with my early attempts and that I've since written other songs which have meanwhile long since passed their 'sing by' date.

The important thing is to realise and accept that music, be it 'folk','jazz' or whatever is not something static, cast in concrete at a particular moment of time. People have always written songs and tunes and always will do and, in accordance with evolution, the fittest compositions will survive. Those who have something against singer-songwriters can always go to the bar/toilet, take a cigarette break outside or plug their ears whilst the person in question is on the stage. That they may be missing out on a future Guthrie/Seeger/McColl or whoever is their problem, not mine.