Ok, I see what you are saying and have no reason to doubt it.

I still have this other view of folk music. I guess it is the view from the bottom so to speak, that clubs and club singers are the people who matter most. Are we the grass in the food chain?

If people can make a living as folk musicians then so be it. I don't think it is essential to the survival, growth and enjoyment fo it all. If the public face and public recognition generated by the Awards brings more people into the clubs then I guess that is a good thing.

But, we still want it to be open and transparent, regardless of peoples career prospects, I think.