and yes, the Art centres pay top fees then the artisites think they can demand it from clubs and subsequently price themselves out of the folk club scene.

The top acts still draw at clubs but when one of them said ,when negotiating the fee that 'Some clubs save up to book me' I was disallusioned by the attitude and thought it most hypocritical of the artiste concerned as it flew in the face of his 'folk persona', he was no more than another capitalist.

I said that 'every night had to pay for itself' as i was booking , or 'giving work ' to an artiste every week and i wanted the audience to hear the best we could engage as well as value for money.


so some 'blame' must go to art centres who over pay and look down their noses at local folk clubs in most cases.


Now next Sunday 20thMay is the 'Windward experience' at the rose and crown St Albans, though their is someon there tonight with a new local duo who can sing

www.windwardfc.org.uk