I am extremely grateful for the encouragement I got when I was floor singing 40 years ago, from people like Wendy, Dartford , Gravesend, Groom bridge, Farningham, Catford, Croydon folk clubs, I have had 40years of pleasure from playing and singing in folk clubs, AND without their encouragement, I would have missed out.
no, the organiser who turned down paul simon [as I remember it and i maybe wrong] had had enough of singer song writers who were rather introspective, that was his opinion and he was entitled to it because at the end of the evening it is the organiser who puts his hand in his own pocket to make up any financial loss, AND IT IS THE ORGANISERS PREROGATIVE TO DECIDE WHO IS SUITABLE FOR THE CLUB.
Diplomacy IS [IMo] the best way of dealing with these situations.