What concerns me...

There are many people, possibly a majority of performers who visit this website, who were asked by a friend to go to a folk club because there was somebody appearing who their friend thought they might like. (In my case, Bernard Wrigley in the late '70s.)

I saw Bernard, great. I also saw people, some of whom I knew, get up and sing a song as a floor turn. If I hadn't have seen that, I possibly wouldn't have practised the guitar and got around to getting up myself at a subsequent singers night. How many others fall into that bracket? Possibly a number of good artistes we all know and appreciate.

I fully accept that when you put on a big act, and your attendance is 5 times the norm, you want the strangers to enjoy a good night, so they may come again, preferably when you haven't broken the bank to get a top draw act.

I also know the agony when you feel responsible for letting old Joe with his reed cutting song have a bash in front of a big audience. He turns up week after week and deserves a turn on a big night. Why not? Without him, there would be no club to put the odd turn on

So.... I'm not convinced there is an answer to this one. We have all been there, as the organiser, the inexperienced floor turn and a "turn" and be buggered if I could give a definitive answer?