Dave, I am in total sympathy with you- there is such riches in music of all kinds but it needs that spark to bring it to life.

Entertaining doesn't have to be defined as fun, although it often helps- too many people take their music so seriously- OK for academics maybe, but a doubtful approach in a live situation.
the kind of longwinded introduction you mention is generally from people who relish talking down to people and pointless anyway.
I was playing my version of St Patrick's Day in Casey's Cabin pub in Baltimore when a respected uilleann piper came up & said I had played it wrongly. I pointed out that it was not the usual version, but I'd got it from a recording of Leo Rowsome.
He didn't accept this and walked away, muttering 'ah but you're an entertainer, not a traditional musician'
I took it as a compliment on balance, but isn't it possible to be both?