The folk comics are the ones that spring into mind whenever I think of a bloody good night at a folk club. Comedy doesn't have to be the main pull and neither does seriousness.

Steve mentions Vin Garbutt. An excellent example of a writer of emotive songs designed to make you think but breaks the ice wonderfully between songs with well honed flippancy and engaging banter.

My heroes over the years have been the likes of Vin, as well as the late Tony Capstick, Bernard Wrigley, Mike Harding, Derek Brimstone etc.

If you feel you have that relationship with your audience, don't lose it. But at the same time, don't make it a one trick pony.