According to them, the UK folk industry is run by a small informal 'cartel' of broadcasters, promoters, magazines, record companies and agents. (The majority are too small to get a look-in)

How does this work then? These "mafia" decide who is good and popular and then they promote them via radio and festival and sell their records? I wished I could decide who the public would like!! It would have been a damn sight easier than lecturing in FE believe me.

Looks like a wind-up to me. In over forty years as a folkie, club organiser, festivals, and more recently book seller I have never heard such a load of round spherical objects.

There is a load of folk programmes on BBC other than Mike Harding, some great agents, some better than others and some artists and agents who work harder at getting bookings than others.

Anyone who knows anything about folk music would know it is not that well organised. Yes a lot of people know each other, that is the way of folk music and damned useful it is at times too.

Frankly it looks like a dig at Steve Heap.

Since they can't have a go at him via Sidmouth looks like this is another way. It's bollocks.