Tried to join, kept getting some "data processing error" or some other rot.

Anyway, I'm a folk-song and ballad singer from the East Coast of the Colonies. I'm a veteran of the rock and blues scenes but have had a nasty time trying to locate venues that will welcome a performer like I have become.

Most of the venues I have heard of or have tried to visit have some mysterious policies going on concerning "new" or "unproven" artists. How am I supposed to get "seasoned" if the only venues that feature folk and trad music aren't booking "newbies"?

Anyone know of any places in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut or the outlying areas that welcome fat, out-of-work balladeers?

In case anyone is reading this that wants to know more, I can offer this brief synopsis: Irish ballads and rebel songs, American dust-bowl, railroad, and topical ballads, some great songs of the sea and a few populist "folk hits" thrown in (i.e. songs that non-folkies used to hear their parents and grandparents listen to on the 8-track).

Regards,

Big (really!) Ballad Singer