Hi Al - sorry, please don't take my post to be a direct dig at yourself (or anyone else) personally, it's just a general observation I've made from attending a variety of open mics.

Re. Our club in particular: Some of our regulars are a rowdy bunch - but rest assured they do appreciate everything that performers do, else I'm sure they wouldn't applaud with such vigour or continue to turn up every week!

I do take your point that one or two of them need a 'nudge' now and again to remind them that it's very distracting when they tune guitars/chat/rustle crisp packets while people are performing (particularly when it's an individual playing - obviously if there's a group of people playing the noise tolerance is sometimes a little higher!).

I hope it hasn't put you off the F&H permanently, and hope to see you back some point soon. Tonight, rather than the open-mic "Everyone take a turn while everyone else listens" format, we've got a singaround hosted by Tone Deaf Leopard, which should provide some good opportunities for play/sing-alongs!

Cheers

Chris