in our folk club/society, we have booked many black folk groups and individuals for 30+ years. They are usually popular and well-attended...except BY African-Americans. (If a group is local, friends & relatives of the performers will often attend, but seldom any serious number)...Perhaps it is just that the forms of music we feature are what WE consider roots/folk...*shrug*. Blues always gets a good audience, but blues seems to be a pretty small, narrow part of black music these days, and sometimes I feel like we are just tapping a good, but dwindling supply of what used to be a major,vibrant part of black culture.

Gospel is more common, but why should blacks come to a 'mostly' white club and pay to hear what they hear in church 2-3 times a week? At festivals, it is better, as walk in audiences have a larger 'mixed' ethnic attendance.

Groups like the Georgia Sea Island Singers or the Menhaden Fishermen are VERY well received, but in this area, few blacks seem to know who they are.

I have 14 different theories as to why blacks don't 'usually' attend basic folk groups, but it seems to boil down to "not interested" or "don't feel welcome"

I have seen some delightful exceptions, but they are the more noticeable for BEING exceptions.