Sophocleese,

Hot Topic! Thanks! Please forgive the stream of unconsciousness writing style, I just shovelled 5 yards of topsoil, in the real folk tradition.

Yes, I've heard this before, but not at my "home" festival. I'd challenge anyone who expressed this here too.

I've been a pro, inasmuch as I'm paid and make alot of my income from (various aspects of) music. I've been an amateur, inasmuch as I was amateur before I became "pro" (whatever the hell that is), and sometimes still play the weaker time slots at festivals as if I'm amateur. And, I'm amateur as I've kept a day job, but for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with ability or status and everthing to do with family obligation, security, and my own inclination not to take too many risks. (If that's not "folk" attitude, please educate me...) I also help organize a festival which is slowly making a name for itself. This festival promotes pro's in a big way. It also promotes amateurs through a "college" and by featuring local groups who, btw, bring in alot of audience and has been a real bridge between our community and the world, and a catalyst for interest in music we present to the otherwise unsuspecting. Many people originally came to this festival only to support local groups and the community but have since taken a genuine interest in the music, and come for that now. That's not to say that there mightn't have been a couple of near embarassments on stage, but any "pro" will tell you that they've "been there, done that", and shouldn't be critical of amateur attempts, only supportive.

I believe the folk tradition demands by definition that it embrace the up and coming, by teaching, mentoring, and opening doors to opportunity, including folk festivals.

Also, there are some self-proclaimed "pro's" who are more amateur than who they consider amateur, and vise versa.

The elitist attitude that performance opportunities are being taken from professionals is ridiculous. Likewise, the good folks who drop their hard earned cash at the gate aren't being cheated. Many, perhaps most, amateur time slots are created AFTER the well of recompense has run dry, at least in the fiscally responsible operated venues, and it would otherwise be impossible to present more acts. One wonders if there'd be festivals if amateur talent wasn't promoted, having seen many amateurs become pro (or comparable) because of festivals. This is a self-sustaining phenomenon. Festivals aren't about the ego gratification of pro's, they're about the sharing of tradition, culture, art, music, like a great communal gathering of children at Father's knee, listening to the tales of life.

Somebody kick the soapbox out from under me. Sorry, I'm sounding more opinionated than usual. I'd love to hear more discussion on this. Thanks Sophocleese, for another thought provoker.

Peace, Mooh.