Bit late replying to this one, I have been at Tonder festival where there were lots of sessions going on, and I admit I didn't go to any of them because it was my birthday and I was drinking...hands don't move right after a while...I tend to play whole bars behind everyone when that happens...! I think people percieve an elite within folk circles sometimes that has the characterisation only of being between performers and punters. I don't consider myself to be part of anyone's elite, I just get paid for playing the music we love. Yes, I did have a way in to folk music professionally through the folks, but I think 13 years' solid working without a holiday has earned me the right to have a say without having my grassroots questioned! Also I don't think the pro side of things is the whole game... Don't want to sound uppity (OK, I sounded a bit uppity), but I honestly don't understand the distinction. I don't play in many sessions as I know a lot of obscure English stuff and haven't spent any energy or time learning the established Celtic repertoire; also I have observed the various rules and regulations which yes, do exclude me and put me off, even if no-one is exactly turfing me out which I agree would be hilarious!! Anyway, I know American Folkie didn't mean to offend me. Don't make no nevermind, wasn't offended. Yep, I get to sit backstage and go to the Folk Awards, lucky old me. It is my passion and my job though, I am glad that my hard work pays off sometimes. Sometimes it doesn't. xx