What exactly is Folk Music? Many people have their own perceptions of what it is. (Or their own stereotyped thoughts)
To get some of the stereotypes about what Folk Music is, lets go over some of the common stereotypes people have.
All Folk Musicians are:
Vegetarians
Hippies
Starving Activists
Tree-Hugging Environmentalists
Old-Timer Music
Hillbillies/Hick musicians
Boring...
Well, many of these Folk-Music Stereotypes are true among few Folk artists, (Zooey Deschanel of She & Him being Vegan and Neil Young being an Environmentalist) not every Folk artist or group are hippies.
Although Folk Music is indeed centuries old, there are many modern Folk Artists/Groups that fall away from the common stereotypes.
"This is the curse of this thing called 'folk music.' ... I think a lot more people would really like them, if they heard them but they don't much opportunity to hear them. It's time to drag down the barriers, folks! ... It's great music, regardless of style, regardless of your conceptions of what you like to listen to. It's enjoyable!"
-Richard Thompson
Folk Music can come from anywhere in the world, be about anything and usually incorporates many instruments.
Unlike many modern Pop-songs, Folk Music draws inspiration from Political and Social events and older Folk groups. Many people reject folk because of it or maybe just because it is not what they are used to.
The thing is that Folk Music cannot be defined in one meaning, there are many different interpretations and explanations of what we call Folk-Music. Folk music has been forever evolving since it first started. It will continue to change therefore our definition of Folk will change.
Folk Music has been popularized many times such as the American Folk Music Revival: In the 20th Century, The Anthology of American Folk Music was "compiled and recorded." putting this out gave many Folk-Musicians a boost in popularity and helped Folk Music be recognized. There was also Folk artists/groups such as Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and CSNY (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) who were widely popular in their time which ultimately shed some light on Folk Music itself. It is also said that the band The Weavers deserve the credit for starting the American Folk Music Revival. Overall , Folk Music in History has been inspired by the Vietnam War, Civil Rights and Counterculture.
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