If it weren't so tragic, I could be quite amused at the way some people seem to think that the great professional singers and musicians sprang, fully trained and professionally polished from the egg.

Every singer started out nervous and hesitant, and the talented ones improved, with years of experience, to become what they now are.

If we all subscribed to your view, Stan, they would never have had the chance to gain that experience.

Sure there are some that don't improve, but in my experience, even they can come up with the occasional gem. Their enthusiasm, and love of music makes it worthwhile to listen to them IMO.

Remember that folk music has its roots in the days when mass entertainment did not exist, even as a hazy concept. When Cecil Sharpe collected all those songs, they came mostly from old people with cracked and wavering voices, who were the only ones who could remember them. They were not professionals.

My own folk club will never attempt to weed these people out in the name of "better" entertainment, and I don't hear any complaints from people who have to sit through one or two dodgy performances interspersed with some really talented folk.

In point of fact, the last comment I had about one of our less able contributors was from a non singing member of the audience, who said "I wish I had the courage to stand up and sing in front of thirty people, I could never do that". I had a chat with him, and he is now one of our favourite, and most rapidly improving performers.

Don T.