Folk music has such a hard time attracting audiences as it is and now the government is making it even harder.

I know of a venue in the city that books a number of artists from Ireland and they have had a terrible time dealing with this issue over the last few years. Several times they have had shows cancelled with very little notice.

About a year ago I spoke to Norma Waterson and she was very leary about coming back to the U.S. because of all these issues.

I know the Folk Alliance has been working on the issue, but as with all goverment agencies it is hard to get anywhere.