"Everybody would grab a guitar and listen to somebody else and call themselves a folk singer. When they didn't know no more songs, they'd run out of them"

Brownie McGhee, a prominent blues artist, offers a critique of the folk music scene in this quote, assessing the way in which people typically label themselves as folk singers. He highlights a tendency for people to adopt the identity of an artist rather casually, relating the possession of a guitar and the ability to echo others' tunes with being a real folk artist. McGhee's words recommend a lack of depth and creativity amongst some who relate to the category, suggesting that their engagement with music does not extend beyond superficial mimicry.

The quote reflects a wider commentary on credibility and imagination in music. McGhee seems to lament the dilution of what he thinks about to be the true essence of folk singing. By stating "When they didn't know no more songs, they 'd run out of them", he indicates that some artists are not driven by a deeply enthusiastic or innovative relationship with their craft, but rather a desire to simply fit into a mold or get the badge of 'folk singer'. This recommends a transactional relationship with the art type, where individuals disengage once the novelty or external recognition fades.

Furthermore, McGhee's observation might be viewed as a critique of musical homogenization, where distinct, initial voices are overshadowed by those who merely reproduce currently existing noises. His perspective highlights the importance of authentic imagination and an ingrained connection to one's art in preserving the stability of a musical category. Folk, with its rich tradition of storytelling and cultural expression, loses vigor when reduced to simple replica.

In a manner, McGhee's words urge musicians to dive deeper into their craft, to produce instead of imitate, and to forge an individual bond with their music that transcends the simple act of performing. This reflection extends beyond folk music, resonating with any imaginative field where credibility and originality are constantly challenged by mainstream, imitative practices.