In reply to GUEST ? The one who'd had booked Ron on reccomendation,(this is what is confusing Mudmatters,folks - too many "Guests").

You have stated your oppinions very clearly, and objectively. Yes, a lot of Ron's songs are reminiscent of others,yes, he does have favourite phrases, and yes, he does only perform his own songs. This is possibly due to the fact that he is not a folk singer, and doesn't claim to be. I have booked sonngwriters who intersperse a few traditional/other writer's songs, and it does work - people will always join in with stuff they know. However, RTB's songs often have a very singable chorus. Several years ago, I went to one of his folk club gigs- a very traditional club. All the floor singers were either unaccompanied, or played a traditional instrument. I thought he would go down like a lead baloon. Not so, by song number 2, he had them in the palm of his hand! If you're asked to book him again- go for it. You may be surprised at how many of your members remember the songs.