On the one hand, there is a vast community of youngsters rebelling against the digitalization of the art form by resurrecting old time music and bluegrass. Here in the Northwest, an old time phenomenon is starting to spill over into the rest of the country, while groups like the Tallboys and British Columbia's Outlaw Social become known beyond their local community.
On the other hand, folk music is blending so far into the mainstream that it's developing new arms and legs. Hip-hop music, which began as a cultural music phenomenon among African-American communities (a folk art if ever there was one) has emerged as a major force to be reckoned with, and socially conscious rappers are starting to use acoustic instruments to back up their hard-hitting lyrics. Folk-hop is on the rise, and it's sure to impact how future generations approach traditional song.
In short, what's next is another inevitable transformation of American folk music. Arguably, my generation is at a threshhold, much like Dylan's generation in the 60s, where innovation is unavoidable. Likely, the globalization of communication and the debunking of the borders between genres will have its effect on folk music. Still, it's impossible to believe that folk music will suffer as a result. More likely, it will simply adapt to the new school of artists much the same as it has done for the last century.
