My name is mauvepink (on Mudcat, at least) and I am a less than perfect singer with a less than perfect guitar style and less a than perfect memory. I'm a sinner...

I have just read through the thread and have found the occasional welcoming and reassuring comments from those folk who seem to embrace a more open approach to singers who are less than perfect. It would not surprise me at all to find that those free thinkers also remember that they too were once not as good as they may now be and how it was when they started out.

I have frequented a great many folk club these past 8 years and the ones I ended up gravitated toward were/are the ones with an open minded membership who welcome all songs as folk songs and those members who are not quite as good at is as some others are still being welcome. Where crib sheets are not frowned up (the good sign of which is a music stand available at the front) and where you will not get threatened if you dare sing a country song!

These days I go to more open mics than I do folk clubs. Why? Well, I get to sing more songs for one thing but another reason is that, generally, the ones I go to have good folk running them and care about helping each performer sound the best they can. These open mics are full of 'kids', often, who have embraced what seems to be an acoustic revival and want to go out there and jam with their friends. It is a fertile breeding ground for some fantastic nights and a whole mish mash of genre without judgement.

The folk clubs I still attend would welcome them with open arms and see it as meeting half way to see that our musical future and heriatge is in good hands.

One club I go to has a session at the end of night designed especially for newcomers where they are encouraged and given help to be involved with more experienced members. I attend an open mic where the 'owner' also helps out those who may struggle a bit.

I understand the need for perfection, especially from people you are paying to perform, but I would expect a modicum of acceptancce and understanding for those lesser mortals, like me, who mess up every now and then and need to read the words.

I can onlt aspire to be as good as some of the people I have met and meet at such functions. Their open mindedness makes me feel welcome and allows me a chance to become better because they cut me some slack. It's not too bad a philosophy really and their functions are always well attended.

I know where I am welcome. I, like so many, stay away from the places where you run the risk of abuse from those who think themselves perfect. The sad thing is you have to attend a place before you know what kind of place it is and that can then be too late because some can be extremely rude and unkind.

No finger pointing within the thread. Nothing personal is meant. This is merely my experience and opinion. I just think sometimes we forget what it was like when we struggled...