Thanks all of you who has replied to my query. I understand that not all traditional singers are as I have described in my opening post but you must admit that a huge percentage are like that. I recently went along to a singing weekend and almost every person who sang a traditional song had either a beard (ranging from a few back combed hairs to a full beard) had a pint of guinness in his hand (we are still talking about men only) and almost all sang with their eyes shut. I asked one young man why he sang with his eyes closed and he replied 'everyone does it, it's traditional'
I don't know much about English traditional singers, are they similar to Irish (north and south) I am pretty ignorant in this but have now become interested in the singing of these old songs. I just wanted to know, would I be taken serious if I was to learn a song and sing it at one of these gatherings? I have little hair, no beard and I drink red wine!
Another thing that has put me off about these 'traditional singers' is, it seems like a closed shop! If you are not in the 'KNOW' you haven't a chance to find where the elite singing sessions are being held.
eg:I attended the All Ireland Fleadh last weekend and only the well known (big name singers) seemed to get asked to sing.
Am I wasting my time trying to get accepted and should I sing with my eyes closed and grow a beard if it would help.

Thanks    Shagger Mc Gin