I think the prevailing attitude around here is that young people are to be welcomed, supported, and valued. That's certainly how I feel. I'm so glad to see your post, and to hear that your list of favourite artists is so close to mine.

Don't pay too much attention to anyone who passes judgment about what "the youth of today" likes/feels/wants/hates - generalisations are unreliable and lazy. But I'll bet a lot of folks who talk like that don't really feel as negative as they sound.

You're right… not a lot of young people on this site, to my (and many others') great regret. And if there's hope for traditional music in the future (and I think there is), you are it.

Trad music has never been a mainstream-market big seller. But there are, and always will be, those who value it for its own beautiful sake. It's survived for centuries and I don't think it's going to die out. Carry on singing, playing, listening to your music, ignore the cranks, and - as they say around where I live - don't be a stranger. I'm really glad you've joined.