The many Mudcat discussions on the future of folk / acoustic clubs and venues has been a major calayst for this idea, and I know a lot of club organisers are Mudcatters...

FOLKCLUBS LIST

Following the infiltration of the old FolkBiz-UK list by spammers, and knowing how useful a closed support group can be thanks to Britfolk, we're starting a new CLOSED group specially for folk club organisers, volunteers and others interested in the business side of clubs (Festivals already have an organisation).

There's been a lot of chatter about the imminent demise of folk clubs, which we think is a bit _previous_, but it's true there are some serious challenges ahead.

Licensing, the smoking ban, changes in pub trade, PRS, an ageing audience, young performers and where they can learn their trade, preserving the tradition, publicity, press, advertising, security, PR, websites, PA and lighting kit, where to buy candles and backdrops, door prices, artists fees - are all topics people might want to discuss amongst friends.

So the forum is open only to those who have applied and been identified, because, like Britfolk, it should be a place where people can feel free to chat to others in a similar situation, in reasonable confidence. It's NOT a place for artists to sell themselves, (though performers may join if they have something useful to contribute to the debate, and websites in signatures will be permitted).

To join just send a blank e-mail to;
folkclubs-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Once you've joined, the mailing address for members is: folkclubs@yahoogroups.com

Let's make the new folkclubs list active and useful and prove fRoots and others wrong when they say folk clubs are dying on their feet. Frankly, it's our duty to make sure they thrive beyond our generation.

Please hop aboard or forward to any club organisers who you think might be interested

Jacey and Tom

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Jacey Bedford                   jacey(at)jacey-bedford.com
Tom Bliss                      bliss(at)dircon.co.uk