i'm probably in the minority around here but i believe traditional music (well, most music in general, actually) is an ever-evolving, living entity and should be treated as such. even if we consciously try to adhere to a "traditional" sound, we bring our own cultural background & experience to each note and lyric every time we sing.

trying to adopt a performance affectation that isn't naturally yours (such as singing in broad scots when you were born & raised in omaha) does nothing to preserve the integrity of a song... in fact, it nearly always makes an audience uncomfortable! to be presented with an obvious, forced accent or dialect only enhances a performer's distance from the music. the point of performing is to bring the audience closer to the music - not alientate them with showy, unnatural sounds.

but that's just me. i hate hearing fake accents & i would never personally employ one.

~bleedingheart