Chill out, cher Nutty, I would not presume to identify you or your mode of livelihood or your commitment to traditional music. For all I know, you are Bert Lloyd, Seamus Ennis and Cyril Tawney rolled up into one. (Actually, Cyril was all three in one body). I, surely do not mean to offend you or anyone else. I am seeking a community of professional folksingers for purpose of consultation, co-operation and fellowship based on mutual business interests. If you are such an individual, we should talk. If you are not, more power to you and I am sure that we share many interests which we will discuss on other threads.
My concern was that there seemed to be so few full time pros, posting on this forum. I knew that there must be quite a few out there but I have seen so few threads that addressed our concerns, so I started one myself. I lived in Ireland for two years, back in the late 60's, and worked at a number of folk clubs in and around Dublin and I did a Scottish tour (booked by folk DJ, Artur Argo). I did not work at nursing homes, schools, etc. there, so I can not comment on that area of venue. In fact, at that time, I hadn't even thought about those kinds of jobs until I came back to the states and hooked up with a juggling troupe, as a writer, and started noticing the kind of gigs they were getting. Once I started building a local reputation, I said farewell to the road and hello to steady employment I still keep in touch with the national acts by doing a few festivals, every year, and by encouraging new artists by reviewing independantly produced CDs in my column in TUNE UP magazine. I have been of some help to a number of Mudcatters, publicising their recordings. It is my pleasure to do so.

                      Mike