The thing is, you're all right in a way.

i can see that all the advice is kindly meant. because I know most of the people in this thread as kindly decent people.

Guys like Jerry, Ron and Art - their words have meant more to me than I could ever explain, and they are part of the reason that Mudcat is a great enrichment of my life.

But you know, how ever much we fall short of our aims. the desire to create and perform is a noble and decent instinct. Sometimes God implants these notions into the heads of people who should never have picked up a guitar, and should be forcibly restrained from blowing their life savings on creating a cd - occasionally I feel like I'm one of them

Its like some people keep a caravan in the drive, but they work evry hour God sends and they never seem to go out in it - we all need that dream of freedom. so the caravan stays there in the drive, and those million cds stay there in the attic.

Most folk club organisers and as far as i can make out - all folk djs in england - don't regard what I do as folk music - even though I do try and focus on my life as its been lived in my songs. So on the rare occasions that i do get asked to do interviews or perform in folk clubs - its not all that good. My words are too hesitant - and (no pun intended) too earnest.

I always love listening to Glen Campbell, when he comes over to England to do radio interviews. he had his own radio show when he was 12, so he really knows how to pick songs (and instruments) that work live on the radio - and he knows how to say something to interest you in the song he's chosen.

however, some people, for personal reasons (or perhaps because there aren't many folk clubs where they live) get even less chance than I do to get their performing (and recording) right. the great Christy Moore once wrote me a post card, and signed off saying - let the music keep your heart light. Perhaps thats what people like us have to do

I think thats about right - even if you've got a million cds in the basemant - remember Paul Maccartney has warehouses full of his stuff, sitting mext there to Adam Ant, and last weeks latest music industry genius. like paul Simon says, every generation throws a hero up the pop charts.

all the best

al