What a strange lot us Brits are - we build 'em up, then we knock 'em down, time after time after ball-aching time! I reckon it's a kind of snobbery followed by inverted snobbery - when the lass was fresh and new and few had heard of her she was feted by the self-appointed cognoscenti of the folk-world, but Oh-my-God, now she's had some of that dirty word SUCCESS, so it's time for the same people to start slagging her off.

For the record, Kate is a very approachable lady (and I've had a number of conversations with her, including during her Christmas shopping trip to Meadowhall a couple of years ago with John McCusker when she took considerable time to chat with Mrs. Johnny and I about their future plans) who, as anyone who sees her play live will verify, has a wonderful stage presence, a fine sense of humour and great humility (which can't be said of all performers). And she turns up for gigs (which again, can't be said of all performers, including some of the 'Superstars'). She does, however, suffer from nerves (witness her rapid departure from the Poozies reportedly, at least in part, because of a fear of flying), but surely she should be applauded for striving to perform despite the nerves rather than decried for suffering from them.

Tek na notice on 'em Kate, tha's a good 'un.

Peace Brothers and Sisters :-)
Johnny