Avril.

I think it's only fair to say that you need to widen your choice of songs and definitely choose ones which are more suitable for folk clubs - most of the ones which I've heard you perform are pop music and without the instrumental backings just don't work. The only song that I've heard from you that really fitted into the folk club scene was "Lord of the Dance" - and that could have done without being drowned out by the bodhran. It would also help if you actually learned the words of songs, rather than have to read them from lots of bits of paper which you keep dropping all over the place and which you have to hold up close to your face.

Finally, the main reason that I and other guitarists accompany you, is that it helps to keep you singing in the same key, otherwise you're all over the place.

Linda's tried to help by suggesting some new songs, but you told her that they were all too boring - yet you'll notice that she usually gets asked to sing, when you don't.

Do some work on your singing, learn (not just read) some new, more suitable material, and listen to some of the more experienced singers - both their singing and advice, and perhaps you wouldn't have to feel that you were being unfairly treated.