Lots of Payclub organizers whingeing - Brilliant!!

I'm not the slightest bit interested in being fodder for the big names Orgaizers fawn over. Nor am I the slightest bit interested in supporting the Folk wing of the music industry - not the slightest!!

WHAT I AM interested in getting ordinary people with a bit of talent and a like of folk music to give it a try and join the old folk tradition where people share music with each other.

I could go a session tomorrow night and get one floorsong, and see a well known artist for nothing at the end of the evening (the new 'half-and half' formula which is becoming popular). No thanks! - not worth getting the guitar out for (no offence to the artist - who's a decent bloke).

I can go to a singaround folk club on Tuesday instead and sing three along with anyone else who wants to have a go - now that IS worthwhile as far as I'm concerned. And this, Breezy, is just as much part of the REAL folk scene as orgaizers dribbling over the lists of guests they have booked.

Twickfolk SHOULD know that I'm not attacking the Payclubs for existing, creating a living for pro singers or getting big names to new punters - fine - all for expanding folk.

What I think is despicable, however, is the way some of the Payclub elite think their clubs are the ONLY sort of folk clubs; their favourite guests are the only ones worth listening to, and the only mark of success in folk is lots of bookings, CDs and festival appearances.

This is the same old rubbish that commercial publishing interests have been peddling for years - ie. only those artists they signed up are 'Good"; and "Vanity" accusations are the the main weapons against the talent they haven't signed/can't sign. This Vanity lark goes back to the days of Charles Dickens - the great man himself was a victim of these pathetic elitists I believe.

Lastly - can I suggest that people look carefully the reason for this thread, it is a positive, forward looking thread to let floor singers know where they CAN support a folk club and not pay to sing (paying to play is a joke in rock music).

If the Big Boys and Girls don't like their cages rattled, they can avoid this thread, can't they!


Ian Fyvie