Wise words, John - with which I agree absolutely. I remember the intense competition to play in clubs in the '60s and '70s - when a performer was lucky to get a floor spot. You had to be of a reasonable standard, and I recall being roundly criticised by a folk club organiser in Leeds for not having brought enough care and attention to what I was singing and playing!

I would add in another, modern factor: the concept that everyone has a right to have their 15 minutes in the spotlight - regardless of whether they know how to present their material or not. It's as though the world is one gigantic X-Factor or "Folk Clubs Got Talent". In reality, we don't have any right to waste people's time.

And, by the way, I'm 72 this year and have absolutely no trouble in learning a song in a day at most. That's probably because I've spent the last 50+ years doing it!