For me it was my first night at The Nursery - Hartlepool Folk Club at age 17. My friend and I were bored one Sunday night and thought we would go to the folk club for a laugh.

I thought the first floor singer (the sadly departed Graham Whitley) was the guest and was amazed to find there were another 2 great singers before the main turn (one was Neil Hart the other possibly Reg Crawford - its a long time ago!). Johnny Handle was the guest and his interaction with the audience and singing of the mining songs that I now hold so close to my heart was simply astonishing to me then and I became a life long convert to folk.

Other great moments:

5 Hand Reel at Dunelm House at Durham Folk Festival (late 70's)
Albion Band with John Tams at Bowburn nr Durham (late 70's?)
Home Service at Cleethorpes Festival
Robb Johnson and Blyth Power at Bracknell Folk Festival
Richard Thompson Band with the line up featuring Clive Gregson & Christine Collister at Leeds - coverted me to RT
Remmy Ongala & Toumani Diabate at Morecambe Womad
Tickled Pink at Towersey

More recently:

Reem Kelani, Los D'Abajos and Blowzabella at Whitby Musicport
Tom Bliss at Wath FF 2007
Interviewing Jez Lowe for Tykes News

I'm sure there are lots more but must be someone else's turn!

Cheers
Joe G