"they are contemporary folk songs " I'm not shit stirring Ray but are you saying All new songs are contemporary folk songs,if not why not, what makes them contemporary FOLK songs

No no I have said we can recognise a FOLK song by its style ~ a Contemporary folk song does not have to spend any time any more, in becoming recognised as such any more ~ yes traditional songs did have to pass that test in hundreds of years because their originators were far distant or unkown ~ they are called Traditional folk songs and no doubt include Child Ballads and Music hall

I would ask how would people classify: note what I have asked please ~

Eric Bogle

Ralph McTell

Ewan MacColl

Jez Lowe

Are they not established FOLK singers? writing contemporary folk songs? they are not pop songs the genre is Folk is it not?

Ray Padgett