Hi. I'm quite new to the British folk scene and have just completed my first (dare I say it- successful!) solo folk club gig. I got it by accident; I did a floor spot at a nearby club and the organiser offered me a booking! Having been lead to believe that getting onto the folk club circuit is only marginally easier than joining the House of Lords, I was pleasantly suprised, and, as the gig went well, I'd like to progress further.

I'm not out for world domination, or even to do this for a living; I just love singing and playing and getting paid to do 3 or 4 gigs a month would be Nirvana!

The question is: what's the protocol for getting booked into clubs? Is it the done thing just to phone organisers and ask them, or should you make a personal appearance at each club? If it's the latter, how can you expect to get booked in clubs outside your own area?

How do organisers feel about being disturbed at home on a Sunday afternoon by someone phoning and asking for a booking? (I know how I'd feel- there's more than one telephone salesperson who has felt the extent of my wrath at having my precious free time interrupted!)

I know that quite a few club organisers post on this board, so I'd be interested to read what you have to say. (And if you happen to mention which clubs you run, you might even get a call from me!)