"AT those sessions at Mystic do you believe that those sings would be attended if people were singing out of books or off sheets of paper, all those singers aren't performers, many are just like you festival goes & those sings can't happen with just the good or strong siongers, they need those that can't lead & just as much, they need those that just listen, singers singing for just each other sucks!"

Barry, I think the session at Mystic is a bit different. The music that is sung at these sessions, from what I've witnessed, have been sung by those who are afficiandos of the genre. from my experience, the audience at Mystic tends to be filled by those who have a deeper knowledge of the genre, whereas a festival like Old Songs or Falcon Ridge - dedicated fans though they are, are not as invested in the genre, perhaps because there are many diverse genres of "folk" represented at those events. A Sea Music Festival is a different entity.   A Mystic sing is very different from a sing at Old Songs, where you do have people singing from sheets of music on occasion. The "noses in paper" work for the type of song circle that exists at Old Songs.   

While I have not been to Getaway, I think that is more of a "clique" as well - and I am not using that term in a negtiave fashion.   There is nothing wrong with people who have a stronger interest in the music from getting together for a more "elite" sing. And the same for someone like yourself Barry, you should be singing in a session that is more challenging for you.   While you might consider the "nose in the paper" sessions as boring, the fact that they exist and have some degree of success probably shows that others do NOT find it boring and enjoy the session.   

The problem that I think we are discussing are the "other" sessions - such as the one mentioned in Seattle. I do not want to keep repeating my earlier remarks, but these are sessions that are more "public" and I think there is enough evidence shown in this very thread to support the OCCASIONAL use of books and sheets - IN CERTAIN APPLICATIONS - without inhibiting the success of the song circle.   

I keep repeating this, but the idea is to help EDUCATE and PERPETUATE - and that requires patience and understanding. It also requires acknowledgement of the age we live in and the difference that exist in technology and lifestyle from the days of the revival.