Regarding traditional music as entertainment, I recall when I was making a living singing & playing my 'gadget' in pubs (not folk clubs)in West Cork about 20 years ago, I was taken to task in Casey's Cabin bar in Baltimore by a well-known local uilleann piper. He told me that my version of St Patrick's Day was wrong. I pointed out that I certainly played it differently to most people, but I had picked it up from an LP of reissued 78s by Leo Rowsome, and while it was not the standard version, it certainly was not 'wrong'.

He wouldn't accept this, and then said- 'Ah but you're an entertainer, not a traditional musician'. I could hardly believe this, I've never claimed to be a 'traditional musician' whatever that is, but have treasured his words ever since- I have always considered it a wonderful compliment...

Whatever music you play, surely it's essential to communicate with your listeners- 'entertainment' doesn't have to be all funny songs, jokes and manic reels- you judge your audience & try to enhance their evening in whatever way suits all present. If you don't you b..... well should! Have had many evenings ruined by sequences of 'dreich' songs by knowledgeable people with no concept of balance over an evening, and outside of 'singing circles' even less idea of what non-folkie listeners might be 'entertained' by.

Bob Davenport would ALWAYS communicate (he'd hate that word too!) with his audience even if they didn't realise it and he always does 'requests' if he can. After all, if you're asked to sing the 'Wild Rover' and oblige that person, I've found you can do anything you like after that- I have received much good advice from Bob over the years, and still try to live up to his standards.

Bob will not be opening a college of tact and diplomacy, and he is quite capable of defending himself against people who do not share his
view of 'traditional' music, so I certainly won't be doing that.

I would just point out that Mr Carroll's experience would not have happened but for Bob Davenport. I think if you ask the organisers of the club he mentioned, they will tell you that their original interest in the music owes a hell of a lot to the inspiration of the man, and it is quite conceivable if they'd never met Bob Davenport, the excellent Musical Traditions club probably would not exist.