How do you feel about eager but not-so-good performers? What is one's responsibility to an audience? How many eager but not-so-good performers can one get away with and how often before an audience gives up on the venue?

We hold a wintertime concert series and we are always alert, watching for new performers to come along. We don't audition but word of mouth is usually a good indicator of what to expect. Sometimes, however, the outcome is disappointing and one could wish for the hook of the Gong show. There are people out there who seem to have little insight into their abilities and who have either decided that staying on key ranks low in importance and self-penned songs that express one's angst are what is important; that each song has the same key and ALMOST the same tune is a minor concern.

A good many of the poorer performers are recommended by established, i.e. well-known, performers. I have come to think that frequently good performers promote a poorer one in the interests of not discouraging a new singer/songwriter/instrumentalist, and that quite possibly they have been asked to help the poorer one find a gig. That support, no doubt, is laudable but in reality they are merely passing along a problem they themselves presumably don't know how to address.

A further complication: Quite often the performer will request a return engagement and although I attempt to be diplomatic I'm never sure what one should say. Does one say, "Sure, we'd be happy to have you back"? Or, "You're a crowd pleaser- thanks for asking – but we have the bill already filled for that month." Or, "I can give you the phone number of a venue that is a huge draw for people in your age group." Or…?

Mind you, these are just 20 minute sets, which means that anyone can sit through practically any one of them.

Any suggestions?