I don't agree that it is the folk club organiser's job to contact all the known fans of a particular artist within some specified radius in order to advertise the gig. I rather doubt that most organisers have that kind of level of information - and wonder if it would breach the Data Protection Act if he/she did!

If not enough people turn up to pay for the guest, organisers just have to live and learn. I suspect that most leave some leeway for experimentation: I don't know this act but it's worth giving it a try. I know ours does this.

There also seems to be an attitude amongst some here that totally neglects the audience. Different people like different things, and will or will not show up according to their likes and dislikes. An organiser should be prepared to vary the style and range of guests at a club. This guarantees that all "members" will NOT turn up every week, and they should not be expected to. Tonight is Gracenotes, and I wouldn't miss them. Next week is a guitarist, and I'm a bit iffy. I wouldn't suggest the club restricted its bookings to my tastes, and I would object being expected to turn up regardless.