"You seem to be claiming some sort of special status for professional folk performers which I don't acknowledge."

Bryan I give up. If you can't understand what I'm saying from all the words I've written above then you never will.

Special status? Good grief - where is my chip-remover. I'm saying the EXACT opposite. Hit my name in blue above and just read all my posts in this thread, would you?

"I think you are in for a surprise when you come to us"

No I'm not - I have a very good idea what your club is like, and I know scores of others just the same. Apologies for shouting, everyone but I AM TALKING ABOUT THE NATIONAL PICTURE - not the Lewes Arms.

Jon - "I think either "side" could exist without the other"

And THAT is the dangerous belief that I'm challenging. They cannot, would not, should not, and never did or could, at least not for any length of time - because this is the way the world goes round.

Why do I use the word dangerous? Because it's that belief which underlies the attacks on 'amateurism' by those who don't understand it's importance, and the attacks on professionals as 'capitalists' or 'people giving themselves special status (sheeesh!), or demanding too much money etc.

I will not be contributing to this discussion any more. I'll be cancelling gigs next!