As a professional performer, I would say that my attitude is, 'He who pays the piper calls the tune.' If someone says that they want a a light programme, or nothing too heavy, we don't go there and sing Child ballads. If it's a maritime festival and they say they want to concentrate on songs about fishing, that's what they get, in the main. If it's a tourist farm venue, and they want positive songs about farming, that's what we'll give them. Etc., etc.

Dick, I quite agree with whoever it was that said you should see it as a positive sign that an Irish club wants a programme of English songs, and a compliment to you and your singing of them, too. As they already know your performances, they obviously think that you do them justice, and it shouldn't be a problem for you as I know that you don't have a fixed 'set' at any one time. They probably don't get a chance to hear good English material very often, or not without bringing in people from England, so make the most of it!

And I do feel quite strongly that we are the ones being paid, so we should do what our employers want or refuse the bookings. Or perhaps I'm more sympathetic to that view as I'm an organiser as well, and I'm not averse to telling people that I'm trying to book to keep it relatively light and lively if they want the booking, because I know that they won't get a very good reception at the club I run if they are serious too much of the time, and my club likes a good few chorus songs as well. Mind you, I do try to book people that are likely to fit in with that anyway. But there are a few who I know do quite a lot of serious ballads who I would like to book, but could only come on the basis of what I've said above.

I'd really like to hear what other pro. artists think about this.

Barbara