The idea of getting the audience to say who they would like to see is fine, but, unless they do the rounds of the festivals or are lucky enough to have a good folk programme they can listen to regularly, will they ever hear anyone that they haven't heard before? Seems to me a club/regular venue can just go round in circles that way.

Those who organise the club need to get their regular attendees to trust their judgement - so the organisers need to get out there and hear lots of people, or listen to lots of CDs, etc. and only book those that they think are good (that doesn't necessarily mean that the artists are their own personal taste in music, but that they are good at what they do), and, of course, know their audience and what they believe will go down well with them. But being an organiser also means having to make judgements which may seem harsh, and I believe it is better to be truthful when turning someone down, otherwise they may well keep coming back to you for future bookings. That doesn't mean being rude, but gently honest, and genuinely regretful, if indeed you are.

I speak as someone who is on both sides of the fence, i.e. organiser and performer.

Just incidentally, it may well be that a performer who is past their prime may still be worth giving a hearing on the basis of their interpretation of songs and their presentation, which may well still be able to teach the young 'uns a thing or two!

Barbara