alanabit, I don't know you, but I find your statement about benevolent dictators at folk clubs to be something that is perhaps unique to the UK? I don't know, as I've never been there. But let me assure you, that isn't the way we interact in the US bluegrass and old time communities. We don't need dictators of any sort in fact. Democratic rule among the folk works pretty damn well in my community. Not perfect, but not enough to either declare war on those we disagree with, or bail out and let someone impose authority on the group, because it seems to be less hassle.

God knows our bluegrass/old time community has it's share of conflict. But we do seem to be worlds apart from the UK folk scene in the ways we choose to address it.