"Now you're making a sweeping assumption there Jim, "
The comment wasn't aimed at you John - the "you" was a 'royal you', aimed at people who have expressed a distinct dislike of folk song.
"Ok, lets say most of the population that DO come into contact with it,"
Fine if they ar the people you want to aim it at - as far as I'm concerned, they represent far to few a minority of the general population to change any existing definition.
The bums I would like to see on seats are those who don't necessarily have access to the internet - they are largely the ones we failed to involve.
I'm now happily in the position where can go to our local Wednesday night session and sing English songs that raise a response from local small-farmers - they are the audiences that future interest me - nothing to do with my singing, just a sign that singing is becoming more acceptable in public places..
I really am the wrong person to ask on this one; whole people continue to misuse the term 'folk', I'm quite likely to advise them to call it something like 'Typhoid Mary' music to keep people away from it and avoid further damage.
Jim Carroll