Jim, the discussion is about folk clubs and what is happening to them. As an argument you challenge people to sit through a radio series on folk music of the British Isles and the world beyond. Sorry but no matter how enjoyable (or otherwise) that experience would be it is an irrelevance. I can guarantee that your next step will be to say that no-one has taken you up on it so you have won. Keith has taught you well.

Can you not see that the main caller of names in this thread is you? A few people may have insulted you but only after you managed to alienate everyone on this thread (this litle crowd of nomarks) and the whole UK folk scene in general (It might be nowadays in an English club scene that couldn't find it's folk arse with both hands) and yet you still insist it is you that is hard done by.

Out of interest I have downloaded some stuff from you in the past. I have 'had the bottle' to listen to it and I enjoyed most of it. I really do not want to lose you as, if not a friend, a good mentor on all things folk related. But your hypocritical approach to insult and invective coupled with your inability to see any viewpoint but your own is becoming tedious.

I have defined folk song as being anything that sounds like folk to me. Subjective maybe but honest. I have never stamped my feet and before you go on about calling names look at yourself first.

Yes, you have given your arguments and have outlined what you believe to be folksong and why. Many people have given you their ideas of what they think it should be. The fact that you say "not a single one of ou has hasd the good grace to respond with a half decent answer" is very telling. By half decent answer you mean one that you agree with.

DtG