I listen to some contemporary country, and love it, just not the faux patriotric crap. The Dixie Chicks. Allison Kraus. Ricky Skaggs. Lots of Rounder Records stuff. Beausoleil. Balfa Bros. Evangeline Playboys. Katy Moffat. Roseanne Cash. Carrie Newcomer. Rosie Flores. I have a special place in my heart for cowpunk acts like Mary Prankster or the Flaming Chihuahuas.

Problem with archaic English (and a good number of Celtic) folk types is they are much too self-important about THEIR music being so so sacred, and the fact they have absolutely no joie de vivre about contemporary music. At the end of the day, their beloved music is still ONLY MUSIC. Because they love it does not raise it to a level of cultural importance equivalent to war and peace, world hunger, or the cure for cancer or AIDs.

Same can be said about musicians and music consumers who only listen to/perform oldies/nostalgia music, radio and cable TV stations, etc. I see no difference between those who flock to the Grand Ole Opry and watch the Great American Country station, and what I call the Anglo Celtic Faux Folk movement, which remains stuck in the music equivalent of a Cecil Sharpeville Theme Park mindset.