It has been an interesting topic - and improvisations have been useful - especially in reading Greko, Villain, Eric, Johnny, Les's recent views.
Countess Dick, although he is some sort of writer, appears not to be able to differentiate between my statement in the interrogative, and, an accusation - "You don't perform then ????" is a simple question, as, to (that) date he had not established whether he did or not .
Enough of that - back to the Thread.
There is one problem area here, if any of us ran a show in place of MH I suspect there would still be a great group of objectors as to our content.
MH isn't the problem - the Producer / Director or whatever his function, - Jon Leonard maybe / probably is, the problem.
Having said that, we don't know what the politics / string pulling / bullshit he's had to endure, or commitments he's had to make to the BBC to get funding / the show on the radio.
I'm (repeating myself) thinking in terms of him possibly having to give assurances that it will have an international appeal etc. etc. to justify funding.
We simply don't know - but there IS something on National radio at which we can have a moan or otherwise.
On the overall scheme of clubs, MH, Barbara Dickson, Billy Connolly, Tony Capstick, Christy Moore, Maddy Prior, June Tabor, Jasper Carrott etc. etc. etc. were ALL floor singers ONCE, that's where they started and became very hard working Fulltime Folk Club performers. They didn't start at the Top.
Everyone has to start somewhere.
I hope some of you get to sit down and have a chat with MH sometime - a more knowledgeable and pleasant person you are unlikely to meet , and it would be a delight - if he took some of your views on board.
Finally, Strolling Johnny - if you get in touch with me - I would be pleased to help you out - as I could ask for no higher compliment, for which I thank you.