Jim - I am certainly not 'ashamed of myself' and you are being impolite to suggest that everyone here should be

The main reason I suggested that the discussion on WP would be better on another thread is because it always ends up in tedious arguments between you and others.

I think most people here are more interested in discussing what is happening today not decades ago - yes the singers from back then have an important influence on folk music but they are not the only influence.

The work of Steve Knoghtley, Robb Johnson, Jez Lowe, Reg Meuross to name a tiny handful are as much of an influence on the folk scene now as are the voices from the past - we don't have endless arguments about them so I see no reason to have endless arguments about other singers here. I enjoy traditional song but it is not the only form of music most of us consider to be folk today. It is easy really - there are traditional folk songs and there are contemporary folk songs. Both are equally important in charting life. Traditional folk songs contribute to our history just as songs which are being written now will provide a history to people the future.

I'm off to see Winter Wilson at the Black Swan Folk club shortly - Dave Wilson is another songwriter who writes excellent songs about contemporary issues and the couple are superb performers.