You make a good point Phil - you never know what is going to effect someone.   At least Martin had the opportunity to hear that person sing the ballad. I worry about the lack of opportunities today with the commercialization, but then again I am doubting that traditional music was the predominant music choice for public consumption when Martin was 17.

Also, when Martin was 17, I don't think there was any concerted effort to MARKET the music to a young audience.   People were collecting and preserving the music, and audiences discovered it. I think it will happen again when people grow tired of the corporate music that is being foisted upon them. It won't appeal to everyone, but just enough to keep the music alive. It has always been that way and it always will.

Your mention about college kids at the Celtic roots festival reminds me of two things. The NJ Folk Festival is actually run by Rutgers University. It is a college course where students earn credit. It sounds good, but rarely do I see any of the students have an interest in the music. They have fun, but they are doing their jobs and my impression is that they don't leave with any connection for the music.

On the other hand, when you mentioned "Celtic", I have to applaud the seeds that were sown by Comhaltas Celtoiri Eireann. By establishing competitions, and having parents that would help stimulate their childrens interest, CCE helped instill a love for tradition which is why we see many young people involved with Irish trad music.

I am not a fan of competition because I see where a student can lose interest, but they have helped to keep the tradition thriving. Perhaps there is some sort of takeaway from all this.