Interesting thread. I realize that the whole 'what is folk' theme is one that creates a lot of frustration and yawns.

If it weren't for the fact that the category gets used to describe certain types of music, I'd be willing to pass it by.

My dilemma is that our government run Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) as part of their radio station licensing requirements requires that we play 35% Canadian content for any rock, pop or country music (they even have an acoustic pop category). (Category 2)

But they also have another category called Category 3---which is special interest music. It includes something called "folk or folk-oriented'.   'Folk' to me is fairly clear in terms of traditional music.   'Folk-oriented'?   I have no idea.

So this discussion helps. Knowing what people who define themselves as folk music fans like gives me some idea.

I like Phil Edward's inclusion of:

a) all traditional songs, irrespective of what you do to them
b) all traditional tunes, irrespective of what you do to them
and
c) varying quantities of other stuff, defined by varying criteria but usually not irrespective of what you do to it.

So now all I have to worry about is what constitutes (c)

At this point I'm including is mostly acoustic, isn't too complicated, and which the 'folk' can sing. And especially if it says something relatively meaningful.

Unless others come up with better ideas.