When I said there's been very little "real folk music" since the advent of 20th century popular culture, I was referring to the oral folk tradition of handing down "real folk music" from generation to generation. Once you start taking the music from records, books, radio, etc. you are a revivalist, not an authentic folk singer. And please note that I said I was talking in a strictly "academic" sense. Most folklorists will tell you the same thing.

You ask what academics have to do with folk music. They study it, teach us about it and preserve it. May I refer you to Childe, the Lomaxes, Ralph Rinzler, John Cohen, Mike Seeger, Helen Creighton, Edith Fowke, Kenny Goldstein, etc.

And yes, Ralph Rinzler "discovered" Doc Watson. But don't take my word for it, get the "Legacy" CD-set on which David Holt interviews Doc Watson about his life and music. Doc will tell you himself.