What I had in mind with that characterization of Americana was some demographics that affect how the folk scene will develop. Performers of Americana are not all very old, but their audiences are, and so are the people who do that stuff in singarounds. The situation is a bit like the accordion and fiddle club scene in Scotland - the performers are often a generation or two younger than the audience.

But the players in an accordion and fiddle band have prospects. They can use their skills and repertoire for many other musical purposes (and usually have done before they even start playing A&F gigs). But if your USP is doing John Denver covers, who's going to listen to you when your present audience dies?