Captain,

Guilty as charged, I have used THAT line when I fluff something....you have to cover your embarrasment somehow!

The presentation and perfomrance of folk music (any music?)has to be a continuum ..... from beginner to seasoned pro. You start off in your bedroom (maybe even get some lessons.....), start to attend singarounds/ sessions/ maybe get a floor spot here and there and then maybe get a paid booking if you hit a certain quality threshold (or in my case hang onto the tail coats of my talented partner!) and on from there if you are good enough and/or get your marketing right . There are other routes but I suspect that this is the most common, people just progress through the stages at different rates or are unable to reach the next one or choose to stay at one of them.

I think there is good reason to support all of these phases....in the right context and place. We cannot all be perfect straight away and need the opportunity to learn from our mistakes.

I think that is all The Snail is saying (he'll tell me if I'm wrong). Let's make no mistake, the Trad/ folk world also needs people like him to who are prepared to put some effort into making thigs happen......I haven't been to Lewes yet (probably next spring, it looks like a short tour of the SE is in the offing for the other half) but I look forward to learning from (pinching!) there best ideas.

Paul