Tom Bliss

But the process by which collected or other obscure works (along with newly written works) become known to the wider public usually involves some kind of business activity - by publishers, booksellers, record companies, distributors, transcribers, artists, arrangers, producers, studio engineers, and so on.

That isn't the folk scene I know.

Take one out and the machine will not turn.

Nonsense, of course it will. It might not turn at the same speed or roll in the same direction but it will keep running on.

Dave Polshaw

You are very lucky then, Snail (Bryan?). Maybe that is why we have disagreed on the quality of floor singers in the past. Im my experience there are lots who don't know what the word rehersal means!

Or you are unlucky or just going to the wrong clubs.

Surely you must know at least one?

Can't think of one off hand.

Don't get me wrong; I'm not claiming that everybody who does a floor spot at the Arms is fit to be on the main stage at Cambridge or Towersey or Cropredy or Sidmouth or whatever festival does it for you. There seems to have been a shift of emphasis from the demand for a professional standard and "doing the best you can". The best you can might not be all that good but it is a lot better than what you describe and it is sincere.

Diane, I am not interested as to the identity of the failing (presumably now failed) venue. I was merely making the point that they are not typical in my experience. I know badly run clubs do exist but they are few and far between not least because, for obvious reasons, they don't last long.