Couldn't agree with you more Hybridpicker.

Who wants to go and see some old fart with his or her finger in their ear singing without any instrument accompanying.

Whats worse, is having to listen to people who think they are gods gift to singing, who are totally out of tune, unable to remember their words etc.

people aren't going to bother.

How many times have I seen new people come into a folk club sit down and wait for an eternity without anybody involving them in conversation and making them feel thoroughly unwelcome, eventually somebody decides it would be a good idea to get started. That person never returns and worse tells everybody else how crap it is. That club is normally the one that bleats on about how friendly they are. Yes they are, if you are in the clique. They are so oblivious of the newcomers.

If you want a sinaround, great - but don't whinge and moan if you don't get an audience.

The Folk world is in general a minority interest and will remain so until younger blood takes over and runs it their way.

Move over you old fogies and let the youngsters run it.