I just wanted to say that although I am not a 'kid' according to definition (being 28) I am the folk and blues DJ at a local college station early Saturday evenings. The response from the 'kids' has been great, in part because 'modern folk artists' like Ani DiFranco and Elliot Smith are popular enough that many young people will now listen and love straight folk if given the chance. I had a caller last week asking for Negativeland (not even vaguely folk, harsh electronic spoken word punk noise) and I obliged him by finding something that worked with my format (I try to find threads that connect alternative music with folk/blues/country and draw my listeners along that way), and he called in a few hours later to tell me that he was still listening and that he would listen every week! This was unexpected and exciting.

My point is that 'young people' should not rely on the 'old' (i.e. established) framework for success. What is going on now in folk music has little to do with the music of the 60s-70s-80s and has more in comman with the really old stuff. Around here (Colorado) there is a major Alternative Folk and Country music movement going on, there is an audience for it among the under 35 set, and the musicians get paid and press records and tour, but they are not welcomed by the establishment.

This is how it has always been. Some days this scene will be established and younger musicians will have trouble breaking in. They will respond by creating a new scene, different and exciting. This is how music grows.