"My view is that it is a means of preserving the tradition, .."

then: "Adding a drumkit, electric guitar, bass, screaming vocal, and other elements of folk rock doesn't invalidate the song. The song remains a folk song."

*sigh* then you have distorted the concept of "folk" and "traditional" to suit changing tastes in 'Music'.

Play what you wish... just use words they describe the new music so it is not confused with the old music. We need ways to differentiate... else why bother calling it anything? Just advertise a concert as "music,,, with some vocal elements". If I did that, and it turned out to be Opera, you would argue, like me, that clearer language was required.

If it's rock, then just say "rock" and if necessary, explain that certain elements of the song echo some folk or trad tune. If the entire feeling & experience of a song has changes so that those who like the earlier version can't stomach it, then you have *something different*. Why use those earlier words just because they are short or convenient?