Why must a club cater for both.

I set my stall out when I started Market Rasen Folk Club which is now Faldingworth Live.

It would be concert style and accompanied performers that were invited to play, rather than them inviting themselves. The club is very singer/songwriter based.

I have met a lot of criticism over the time from certain people, but have stuck to my guns.

The club hasn't suffered because of it.

Basically as far as I am concerned, if I pronmote and run a club, I do it my way, not how soembody else tells me to do it.

Having said all that, there is no reason why people can't set up A Capella clubs and run it their way.

Likewise somebody who wants to run a singalong club can do what they want to do.

Just like session clubs can do what they want to do.

At the end of the day its up to each club to decide what they want and stick to it. It is also up to the audience to decide where they want to go to.

What it isn't up to, is for somebody to force a club to go in a direction they don't want to go.

I have always tried to be honest with performers and if their style suited my club, great, if not then I tell them. That doesn't make them bad performers.

I have been to some clubs, where a contemporary performer has been in the wrong club and vice versa. I don't think that helps the performer.

I also think it is important that all club organisers explain what style their club is before booking a performer, so that they know clearly where they stand.

There you go. Thats my ten penneth from somebody who doesn't know FA about folk music but has got off his arse and done somethiong about putting live music on the map.

I will get my coat and wait for the abuse. :-)