I have been trundling through this thread, hoping to learn more about the folk scene, its proponents and detractors. I found myself growing more lost, more confused, more desirous of fitting in with some group. OMG! So shaking myself free of the dogma chasing its own tale (yes I spelled tale the way I wanted to), I have settled on this one paraphrased quote.

"UK folk scene heaving with snobs"

Is it? It was precisely this kind of thing that use to worry me. Being an American living in England and a folk neophyte to boot, I didn't know what I could get away with at sessions. Should I only sing stuff from my native land or what I really love which is music of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

I have since discovered at the few sessions I have attended people were warm and welcoming. Therefore, I will sing what I feel like singing (after enough liquid encouragement) and listen and learn and enjoy what I hear from others. Screw the First Church of Folk! Establishments and institutions are too confining and just wrong.

Oh and I am going to dig out my little white baseball cap and start wearing it again.