Excellent.

As for those knocking it, most of us are quite capable of distinguishing between someone who wishes to share their love of music but have reached their personal potential and those who quite frankly haven’t put much thought into it.

The former are encouraged and are, by trying, entertaining. The latter, flicking through a book assuming their first attempt at reading for the first time whilst singing (not easy, even for professional singers) are just wasting time that could be filled by those who make an effort.

After all, the aim is to entertain people. At one time in folk clubs, that is what happened and others sat and listened. At times, I begin to sympathise with those I usually bitch about, ie those who talk or flick through phones and folders whilst someone is singing. A bloke I know well gets up at our local club occasionally and flicks through saying, “let’s try this one, I’ve never done it before.” His saving grace being it is my cue to head to the bar.

I have been known to sing “The Galway Drawl” before now.....

I also ensure those who really try despite it not being their strong point get a good hearing. Asking for a bit of order tends to be my catch phrase these days.