"Steve Gardham's latest post made some interesting distinctions between types of events: all of these are likely to be attractive to people interested in folk music, but none of them seem to be particularly 'authentic' in terms of the original contexts in which such music is thought to have been performed. I am not saying this is in any sense 'wrong' or 'inappropriate', but just noticing it"

Steve's post is a good statement as to how the "folk" scene is currently
organised and fractionalised ~in most cases "audience" is also welcome depending upon the space in the pub or whatever ~ unless there is guest artist there is usually no charge (or will be specified)

Presently guests are usually classified as paid full time professionals of semi professionals (making a living at folk is problematic) professionals are a different breed, usually long serving artist who attract dedicated or interested audience or young thrusters
who may have been to appropriate University their success is Not Guaranteed

Artist who complain about "folk clubs" not booking them CANNOT blame folk clubs ~they whoever they are should try running their OWN folk club first ~ particularly the "Young thruster"

Ray