Will you stated that you just didn't believe in awards which is fair enough and a valid point to make. But others have actually criticised the recipients of the awards. Too obscure. College elites. And now they seemingly aren't even really folk artists at all. I think all these points are unfair!
I listed the gig stats because it does seem that these acts don't tend to play folk clubs that often. That maybe explains why some have never heard of them and it does suggest that there is a bit of a generational shift.
They are not all music college graduates – but even if they are it does not mean they weren't already immersed in their local folk scene.
And here is a few vids of some of the acts I have mentioned and are recipients. They may not be to everyone's liking but can anyone suitably explain why it is not folk music??




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjRwzEolrCc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05-ZoPfhrDQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-UwyyuMFEM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq0htznRMMY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkERtyGnOtA