I happened on the DC folk scene for one winter in 1975, and entered it permanently in Feb of '77....and not knowing that newcomers might have to pay their dues, I jumped into it with both feet and never had a MOMENTS feeling of feeling excluded!! (probably due to my exquisite taste and scintillating personality..*grin*)I have attended 97% of all the 'open sings', as we call 'em here, for the past 20 years,(BK, I wonder if I met you?) and yes, there have been cliques and swirls of mood changes, as in any organization, but there always those who simply would not allow the music to get derailed by petty differences of personality....and for the most part, even sworn opponents managed to cooperate when certain things were at stake...I think I give the diverse music scene a lot of the credit, because there was always room here to hook up with a slightly different group if you were not happy with things.

(no particular reason to throw out all these details, except to refine the picture of what it is like to be part of one part of this big community we all share....I really do like to read about how things are with the rest of you...keep singing & playing everyone!)

Bill