Like you, Windsinger, I learned early on that my solo Scottish & Irish folk singing doesn't appeal to the rowdy crowds in the pubs... but then, they don't much appeal to me either, so everyone is happy.

But I also learned that every nursing and convalescent home around is dying for Irish music during St. Pat's week. It's great-- I have tons of gigs for the next week, and they're easy for me because I don't have to set up sound.. it's just me and my guitar, "unplugged." The pay for each gig isn't great, but with so many of them, it's a lucrative week, plus I get to play for appreciative audiences.

The only down side is that they will all want to hear those non-Irish Irish songs like McNamara's Band and When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, but I've found a way to put a bunch of the choruses into one 7-song medley that makes a great closer... They all get to sing along and have a grand time, and I don't have to learn the verses.