I hope not. There's a chance it won't be as famous because of mainstream music. Over the years, folk music's popularity will depend on social media and the people who focus on that niche.
I don't think folk music will fade. It reached its peak in the 60's when someone gave a 50's beatnik a guitar, but even then it wasn't mainstream. It was just a new form of music that drew an audience. It will always be that, really.
I also think that folk music will not fade. Even now I can see that it is popular among my children's friends to play bass guitar, piano and even violin. I heard that playing and listening to classical music helps developing brain (sharing an interesting source ), so I think it will stay with us no matter what. I am glad that my son recently has started playing the bass guitar (recommend this one). We are more than satisfied with the sound. Now we have even more atmospheric evenings among family.
Rusty Messages: 1174 Registered: May 2018 Location: Kansas City Missouri
Illuminati (3rd Degree)
The folk music that peaked in the 60's was then as now a continuation from folk music that came from immigration from the old countries. Country music and blues music as well. So it should be kept preserved as important culture for our society. I liked the folk music that came out of Woodie Guthrie era that influenced the 60's artists. Some of which I found to be pretty corny. But Bob Dylan, Joan Baes shifted that clean cut image more back towards the activism of Woodie Guthrie. There was a British folk scene that tapped into their musical minstrels from way back. The artist Richard Thompson came out of that scene in the group Fairport Convention. He's gone on to produce some beautifully poignant music like 1952 Vincent Black Lightning.
I think folk music will fade and remain only in literature studies like many other traditions. It is rare to hear it played today, so how can we expect to learn it? As we continue embracing contemporary music in droves, there will be a generation and era where the epitaph goes - "Here lays Folk."
Looking at the thread title, it seems like folk has been somewhat faded for a few decades, but it's far from dead. I'm thinking of "Soon May the Wellerman Come" and how it went viral on Tik Tok in 2021.
It's not something I listen to either, but I do listen to a lot of Bob Dylan. Dylan is a master who was influenced by folk so who knows if another like Dylan will come along who is also influenced by folk.
It should stay because of the influence it has on musicians.