Guest...I do apologise for not being more specific about the 'Who are yous' as it was not meant to target you but those who have their fixed ideas about what Folk Clubs are or should be and choose to knock those they know nothing about....and if you look back over the thread you can plainly see who those people are.
I totally agree that being a member of a forum gives you the right to express an opinion and I believe most people on the cat welcome opinions but when insults are thrown out towards people or clubs which are not known to the thrower, that is a different kettle of fish. (Must be a song in there somewhere).
Most of my singing was done in the 60's-70's and into the early eighties and I tended to stick (mostly) to trad songs with some Donovan and Dylan thrown in for variety. I was not brilliant then...neither am I now but I like to have a sing now and again and I am tolerated.
You say you left the Folk Revival when the singing deteriorated to a level below that which you found acceptable..... assuming that you were perhaps quite a good performer yourself..why leave? when your performances would no doubt raise the standard........
How many more have left, like you, for the same reasons? Perhaps that is why there is a decline in the number of good performers some talk of on the thread.
I now go to the Clubs locally for the craic as well as for the performances which may be as I described in my last posting but are what has developed in this area.....I am quite satisfied with it although I would enjoy having 'the good old days' back...I am moving on with the times and enjoying my life...part of which is in the clubs I attend.
By the same token, I would love to have my first 'Austin Mini' back which was so simple in form and so little with it that could go wrong.
Modern cars have developed into something almost unrecognisable from then with all the gadgetry and different lines. Sadly those days have gone with Clubs and the car so what shall we do? Move on or whinge...?
I guess I'm moving on.
Best wishes, Mike.