"While I find the majority in the "folk" scene welcoming, the strings are definately pulled by individuals who have cornered the market, as it were, when it comes to handing out the favours."

And as soon as you acknowledge that folk is working as part of a wider industry, surely this should come as no surprise? But the great thing about folk is that not getting a headline slot at a festival doesn't stop you getting your music out where people can hear it - hence the folk clubs, singarounds, and even the smaller, more participative festivals.

If you're after airplay and big stages, you become part of an industry that has quite specific parameters - even if it's a cottage industry like folk. I get CDs almost every day - a lot of people doing what they do very well indeed. Unfortunately, there aren't enough "favours" for every talented person out there - there are simply more people wanting to make their living by playing folk and acoustic music than there are opportunities to accomodate them. So these people who are "pulling the strings" have to make tough choices sometimes.

Certain artists may well be "pushed" by the "manipulators". but consider this: If I have a big name headliner at my festival, the tickets that their name sells will allow me to book another 10 up-and-coming, talented artists whom most of the audience will not have heard of.