I would, from my experience of running the Sawston [Cambridgeshire] FC 40 years ago, strongly endorse Mr Red's v valuable point 1 above - & go even further: I always started singing sharp at the appointed time even if nobody had yet turned up & I was just singing to myself & the girl waiting to take the money on the door. Then, when anyone did appear, they would come in & not assume the event was off & go away again, as might well have happened if all they had encountered was silence.

Another piece of advice: pay your guest the agreed amount when he/she arrives - have it ready for them in an envelope & give it to them upfront. Don't ever do what some iniquitous clubs tried on with me & say: 'Sorry, disappointing evening, will you just work for your exes?' - to which my answer was always, 'No, I didn't come all this way for nothing; the attendance at your club is not my problem'. It is a matter of honour and probity to pay what has been agreed.