Today, to patronise someone means to talk down or belittle him or her but it was not always used in that context. For it was the process whereby a wealthy individual or organisation patronised 'the arts' but more specifically, patronised the artist.

This system worked for many years and many wonderful works of art were produced under it but could those works produced, been even more wonderful under a different system?.

Was this a good system and is it now completely a thing of the past or are we still seeing it, under the guise of sponsorship?

Are there any examples of worthy folk or blues music been produced under patronage?

I ask this as Coca Cola is currently sponsoring me to write a NEW thirty verse 'folk song', (complete with cross-dressing and tokens) to be used as their new jingle. I do jest (but that is a real song challenge for someone).