To correct some of the Pedantic Twits in here (with capital letters intact, thank you very much), not EVERYONE has agreed with those who think musicians shouldn't get paid at all.

What I still pick up, just as I did years back on the BBC board when I asked a similar question is how the folk world is 'ruled' almost, by those who don't want money to come into it.

And as to the man, Dave, who suggested I mortgage my house, yadda yadda, the very man who put up a small fortune to keep Sidmouth Folk Festival going, as Sidmouth Folk Week, in 2005, was castigated by many in here, as well as many of you doing all you could to try and stop that Folk Week, in 2005, from taking place....

So please, don't come the Holier Than Thou sort with me, because I've seen, for many years, that antagonism and resentment shown to professional musicians by many in the English folk world...

I have seen some bloody awful musicians in my time, in both the folk world and outside it too, who I'd not pay a penny too, it has to be said, because they are either tone deaf or appallingly appalling at what they do, but brilliant musicians, who have honed their skills and natural talents to perfection over endless years, DO deserve respect and payment for what they do, ESPECIALLY when OTHERS are making money PURELY because the musicians are there in the first place...

It's like a Secret Club and any musician who DARES to break out of the Holy Mantra Of Music and think they should be paid, is then thrust upon The Holy Musical Alter and whipped with guitar strings, ad infinitum for daring to break The Holy Seal of Poverty Within Music....

YEESH!   

I'm NOT a musician, so therefore I CAN say these things without fear of being placed upon that alter, or of never being offered a slot at a festival or folk club again...

I blame fecking Ewan MacColl, but then, I blame that bullying ol' grumpy bastard for a LOT of the other grumpy bastards who still dominate the folk world, although they are declining now with every passing year....

Gawd, I bet Diane is frothing at the mouth up there in Folk Heaven for not being able to join in this thread... ;)