As a prize example of what folk music can be I suggest anyone who hasn't hear it listen to Roscoe Holcomb's "Little Bessie," which was on the film and record, The High Lonesome Sound (Folkways FA 2368, 1965) and probably on a Smithsonian CD today.

John Cohen writes in the liner notes:

"During the singing Roscoe becamd very involved with the song, so much so that his mood changed, and he didn't feel like singing at all for several days afterward." Not exactly a trouper. Could never have made it on the stage that way. Couldn't have competed with Bob Dylan. But being "involved with the song" is one of the things that makes folk music worth while.