Greg,

If Malcolm flatpicks when he does jigs then my guess is that what he's doing is functionally (and sonically) equivalent to what I've seen Irish tenor banjo players do. That style is about as far from frailing/clawhammer as you can get. Which is not a bad thing.

Sorcha,

It's not that it cannot be done. Ken Perlman and Howie Bursen are astounding proof that it can be. It's not that I don't know how it could be done. I just don't see much point in trying to do it.

Claymore,

You assertion about the popularity of jigs in WV makes me very curious. I've done a fair amount of jamming with WV musicians and cannot remember the last time someone called for a jig.