Lizzie - thanks for the request for me to highlight singers I have time for.

One set - no problem. This group comes from artists already well known or have been during the 35 years I've known about Folk.   But it's simply my preference alongside everyone else. I'm happy to mention a few names however for the record.

These must include (of the very, very well known ones) Leon Rosselson, Dave Goulder and John Conelly (right spelling?) - all excellent songwriters as well as performers.

The next group comes from less well known guest singers I've seen in clubs over the years and would include Andy Caven and Peter Bond.

But the main group is made up of those who have no CD album released - or at least not a "commercial" one. These are people I've seen doing floor spots or guest spots as a local singer. There's little point in naming people of this group because they are below the "official" folk scene (payclub, festival or record company catalogue) radar.

The great thing here though is that there will be a similar group of undersung people in your area. It simply means taking the time to find them - difficult possibly as they may not feature at your local concert club or festival. That will often be for the same reason I'm never seen at the concert clubs in my area - we're not prepared to enter into floor singer beauty contests and probably have to pay entry fee for the dubious honour.

Digressing slightly, let's add that I have taken up invitations to do floor spots at a concert centred clubs - I've played a small number of local guest spots and two festivals - but I'm not particularly bothered about that competetive part of the folk scene. We have plenty of singers clubs in the area lucklily so no one has to beg to a local folk elite to find an audience. And I far prefer the relaxed nature of the singers clubs where no-one is trying to grap fame or make a profit or make a living

Ian Fyvie