The term folk music means different things to different people and in different parts of the world. In many cases it's a term which is definitely off-putting. Too many people are prejudiced against it and instinctively avoid any music which comes with that tag.
Some traditional singers or musicians who enjoy great popularity deliberately avoid the folk word when promoting themselves and advertising their appearances. If people ask them what sort of music it is they'll use vague terms, perhaps referring to the music's regional origins. Why? Because if they call it folk music they often get remarks like "It can't be, surely - I don't like folk music!"
And it's commonly reported by pub landlords that a notice advertising 'folk music' will usually result in an empty bar, but if exactly the same session is described simply as 'live music', people will come in and say they've had a great time.
So, if people are being put off a wealth of really good music just because of what it's called, we surely need a new name for it. But what?
In Ireland it's called 'traditional music' and this is perfectly well understood by the mass population, but that's a country where it is considered to be an important part of the national heritage and is highly respected - even among people who really don't like it.
Elsewhere the term 'traditional music' would mean nothing to the general population, and indeed it is likely to be confused with traditional jazz. Shortening the first word to trad would cause even more confusion with the jazz style.
Call it dance music - with or without the 'traditional' prefix - and people think of ballrooms and sequins. Besides, this excludes traditional folk songs and airs.
In England the term 'country dance music' is sometimes used but this can't provide the universally acceptable label we need because of its obvious confusion with the very specific genre of American country music. And anyway, for the same reason you can't leave the word 'dance' off, so it's too restricted
Roots music is emerging as the strongest contender. The term has been associated too strongly with ethnic music from only some parts of the world, but its application is widening.
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