Linda Kelly, Lowden Jameswright....so what does that tell us about the future of Folk Clubs?

How does an organiser ensure that they are providing what the audience wants....how do new acts get heard?

I too am starting to get bombarded...I don't mind as long as acts are realistic......I can't book somebody unheard of or with no local profile as a main guest(however good they are).

I will offer them an expenses only support slot (if I like the sound of their demo etc- chance to build a local profile), I always think the response to this offer from an act tells you a lot about the size of their ego! No response is REALLY, REALLY annoying........

With the boot on the other foot...when I am trying to get gigs from other clubs, it REALLY, REALLY annoys me when organisers don't reply. I don't mind any kind of (polite!) response but when people just ignore an email, letter, phone message etc it is just bad manners!

What does this tell us about the future of folk clubs? Maybe that it is a buyers market....which drives impolite behaviour from "bombarded" club organisers....