Deb, thanks for the kind words. I would like to clarify what I was trying to describe because I do agree with everything that you said.

I do feel that the Folk Alliance is serving an important role, and I do feel that contemporary singer-songwriters need an organization behind them to help promote the music.

I also agree that traditional performers and those who interpret the work of others need more exposure and opportunities - although I am the first to admit I do not know how to make that happen and I am also concerned that the nature of the music could be corrupted.

Yes, I do play a great deal of artists like Deb, Jon, Barry and so many others. There are a number of other radio hosts that do the same, most notably Mary Cliff. We want to help promote and we are lucky to be able to do so.

Wearing my other hat, that as booker, I see other problems. Last year we booked Mike Seeger at the Hurdy Gurdy, and had a very disapointing turnout of 50 people. This year we booked Scottish singer Emily Smith, admittedly a relative unknown in the U.S. but we lowered the price and did a lot of publicity. Another dismal turnout. Both concerts lost a great deal of money for the club, and our existence would be terminated if we continued to bleed.   We are now trying to mix styles in the hopes that one good concert can offset the loss of another and we can remain true to our mission.

I do not claim to have answers on how to fix the Folk Alliance and the offshoots.   I think Joel's observation is correct, but the question is - what can and should be done? A showcase or two just doesn't seem to cut it. How can we make the organization take notice? I would love to help find a way - and I will throw this out - if anyone has ideas and would like to work on some sort of presence at NERFA this coming November, I will be glad to champion it and do whatever I can. I know that the organizers of the conference are willing and interested, it is just a question of how and what.