That is what I do, McGrath. I sing lots of songs written by others and lots of traditional songs as well. Unfortunately when these organisers say "original" they mean from your brain and no one else's. One of my problems (which is a nice one to have) is that I know so many songs that putting together a set list for a concert is difficult sometimes, but I do have an advantage over my singer/songwriter friends in that I am not restricted in the material I can sing. But in applying for these special stages at festivals and some coffeehouses here I am excluded because I do not write my own material.

Anahata, you are absolutely right about the "covers" issue. I have eliminated that word from my vocabulary. It is always a funny thing when someone asks me (and I get this question a lot) "What kind of songs do you write?" I always reply "Bad ones."

But you know, they can run their venue anyway they wish, but I do hope that the discussion does not stop. We need to be having this discussion not only on Mudcat, but in the Folk Alliance as well as in other places.

Deb