I agree with that last statement a great deal, Celtic Soul. I think the whole art of appreciation is one we don't get much facility with in most of our daily lives -- the idea of "holding the circle" for someone, and of recognizing the offerings of people who might not be the most "talented"in terms of vocal or instrumental production, but who offer the group something of themselves anyway.

Shambles -- the situation you describe is very foreign to me. I've never heard of a folk group or regular jam running afoul of the law like that -- just occasionally losing a venue because the owner wanted a different kind of music, or because the musicians didn't actually buy anything at the pub or cafe where they were jamming. The folkie/trad folks seem to be a pretty mellow crew, and the cops in the communities where I've been have been either unaware or completely respectful. Heck, in Wyoming, one of our state troopers was in a couple of the jams I attended regularly.

--ww