Ferrara,

I am not at all sure about this:

"That's because they are memorable, authentic sounding and heartfelt, very singable (by more people than just Craig!) and evoke wonderful images of traditional activities and themes. These are what Mary Cliff calls "Music In The Tradition."

I think that none of this qualifies it as folk music, or traditional music, even if it is very good music, and very enjoyable music--In order to be really traditional, it has to be a part of the tradition, and not just sound like what is thought of as part of the tradition.

As to the "folksong" deal, well, it has to be accepted by the "folk"--there is another thread, , which is "What did you sing as a kid?" and these songs are really much more folksongs than about anything else, and they are neither heartfelt or any of those "wonderful" things that you talk about--they are memorable, though--