rock chick, I'm wondering where the pub is that you went to. At a club not outside the area you define, also welcoming floor performers, and where the booked performers, and their own established performers are very good, I was told (on first entering) that you only got to be a performer after they got to know you as one during open mike sessions, which were only in August, when I'm away. I couldn't go to a nearby pub night, where open mike was advertised, as it didn't fit in with life, but the house singers there were part of the same group.

I would ask for details via pm, so as to avoid the particular pub, but feel the need for anonymity - since some of the club members (who were friendly in that context)know me through my job, and could identify me, and it could be awkward. Besides which, I wouldn't want to be rude about a system which was working well, to the liking of the longstanding members on a very short acquaintance. Even though there was little opportunity for the audience to join in, either.

Nearly signed it....