I'm with Barbara. It's pet peeve of mine. Most singers come with a planned repertoire. That means a limited number of songs to remember.

To my way of thinking, a song is not really yours and not really heartfelt until you have memorized it. This includes songs you have written.

The only performers I ever forgave for having a song book were Lou and Peter Berryman. If you saw the size of their songbook and realized their willingness to do "requests" you might also forgive them. Plus their songs tend to be word filled.

Last week an audience member who had seen me perform before requested I do "that car song." I was flummoxed because I couldn't remember doing a "car" song. Finally she said, "About the Cadillac."

Then I was able to do "Built for Comfort" to which I have added a Lightnin' Hopkins verse:

Some like the Cadillac, some like the T-model Ford,
Ford got the chassis but it can't haul no heavy load.

You never can figure if you take requests.

Roger in Baltimore