I have not got a clue why because I think I am wasting my time, but I am going to have one last go at trying to make some simple points as easy to understand as possible.
1. There is an academic definition of Folk Song. (Not going any further on that.)
2. There is an informal definition of Folk Song, subscribed to by most Folk Clubs and the general public.
3. There is an informal subdivision. Traditional or Contemporary. Most clubs welcome both.
4. Jim feels that the word Folk should not be used informally.
5. Jim feels that the Contemporary has swamped the Traditional, and is sad and angered by this perception.
6. The majority of the contributors to this thread believe that the situation is really not as bad as that.
7. Jim simply does not believe it and point blank refuses to accept our word for it.
So I will put myself forward as a target for Jim and say that after an average of 45 Gigs a year in Folk clubs and Festivals for donkeys years travelling from the top to the bottom of the UK, singing almost exclusively traditional songs, I can honestly say I have found a constant respect, support, and interest not only in me, but my contemporaries and Traditional Music generally.
I have already said this in a previous post.
Right! Either I am telling the truth or I am lying through my teeth mistaken and deluded. Quite honestly Jim if you opt for the latter and just dismiss forty years of experience as you did with my last post I am afraid I can't be bothered with your opinions from now on which saddens me. I and many others who post here have travelled the clubs and festivals recently Jim, you have not, and there is the rub. Forget the abuse, all anybody is suggesting is that you might not be entirely correct in your conclusions. Stranger things have happened you know.
Please if you wish to reply, do me and this thread the courtesy of commenting on the post as a whole , please don't pick out one sentence
and go off on one as you have done above. I am either right or wrong-end of...