The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #137194   Message #3138172
Posted By: GUEST, Tom Bliss
19-Apr-11 - 09:19 AM
Thread Name: Folk Performers Association
Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
Well I would say that Britfolk and the other existing organisations do what they do well, but there's no voice for the grassroots (well EFDSS include, but their very correct and worthwhile agenda does not address some important issues).

For example, we (might have been just me, actually) managed to persuade PRS to provide a reduced rate tariff for free-entry, no fee, all trad sessions, but at some point they stopped negotiating with me and went (without informing me) back to the usual suspects - and as a result it's not fit for purpose. When I found out what had happened I did try to rally support through the existing channels but did not make any progress, because I was one voice against powerful vested interests . That's the sort of thing your Association might re-balance.

A club organiser told me only this weekend that he wants to move the club - the current venue is not suitable, but the previous venue won't have them back because of the licensing issue, and he knows the other pubs in the area have the same objection. The new tariff could have done the trick because it it's held and paid for by the club, not the venue, but it only applies to a free-entry all-trad session or singaround - and this club has guests. What's needed is club-owned licences that can move with the club, while also having a reduced rate to allow for a percentage of public domain and non PRS member material.