A few more thoughts ('cos I be a thinking man, though oft times I wish I weren't)...

Firstly...of the three acts Nigel mentions in his last post, only Leona can justly be called a manufactured pop idol. Winehouse, whatever you think of her lifestyle, has clearly paid her dues and worked extremely hard not only on her image (which doesn't hurt her sales, I admit), but also on her writing and delivery. Be honest, how far do you have to go back to find another British female vocalist (in any genre) with as unique and instantly recognisable a voice? Mika, similarly, is plainly an extremely accomplished musician (check out his piano work on the recent, pared down version of "Grace Kelly"-that's hot!) AND an incredibly elastic vocalist. Again, how many acts on the folk scene have either his vocal range or charisma? Maybe we need to think long and hard about who on the folk scene is getting the breaks and why, rather than blaming the decline in UK folk's popularity on the media and Joe Bloke...seriously, how many of our leading lights are as original or as interesting (to the general music fan) to listen to as these two?

...secondly, (and far less importantly, I admit!), anybody who still thinks I'm an acoustic rock act should have a look at the Fo'c'sle's gig listings for the year...I'm too lazy to do the hyperlink, but google "southern counties folk federation" and you'll get there. They really aren't in the business of booking any rockers! While you're at it, you might also wish to consider whether the EFDSS (ironically, Ms Crump's employers) are in the business of recognising acoustic rockers...I won their songwriting prize last year, doncha know...(BTW, the EFDSS are a fine organisation doing valuable work and I have absolutely no beef with them- in fact I'm a life member)

...and finally, just to totally undermine my last point, I've spent the greater part of today finishing a song which DOESN'T draw melodically on the tradition, is backed (unlike the bulk of my work) with plectrum-driven guitar work and actually sounds an awful lot more rock-like than just about anything I've previously come up with! Which just goes to show, creativity trumps genre stereotype every time. And that my detractors are 100% right and I should purchase a codpiece, re-grow the handlebar moustache I shaved off just the other month and develop a keen interest in motorbikes and fat bottomed girls...although if the truth be told the latter has ALWAYS been an abiding interest...

ROCK ON!!!

VROOM, VROOM!