I remember Charlie Daniels was playing backup for people like Leonard Cohen & others for a few years back in the 60s & 70s, then 'Devil Went Down to Georgia' hit and he's a pop star, now where is he? Still playing great music, I hope, to appreciative audiences.

The labels/agents/suits cause most of the trouble. I still do not like anything Peter, Paul and Mary EVER did, can't bear to listen, though they are each and every one fine musicians/singers, it just never rang true to me. Some agents/suits idea of a 'Folk Group'. Not a natural evolution of three people who had played together for years and found an audience.

Marketing.

That's what's happening to bluegrass re: O Brother. I guess it ends up being what kind of 'career' one wants to have. Play the music when and where you can, get paid if you can, because you love the music.

Or let some weasel 'smarten' you up and market you as the next Bill Monroe.

Or grow and change as a musician and play classical, like Dave Grisman, or jazz like Bela Fleck. I cannot stand the ridiculously repetitive licks of Fleck & the Flecktones, or Grisman's wierder pop/jazz stuff (do like the classical, though). Love thier traditional tunes and appreciate thier talent. Alison Krause may go that route. Hopefully not. Same with Riverdance fiddlers. Neo-New Age Celtic or the Pure Drop? No choice for me, but give the people what they are told they might want?