ESAM....where are you based?

By the way, not all 40 somethings hate folk clubs.....I run one, very much concert based. We have had on in the last year:

Duncan McFarlane Electric Band
Rod Baxter
Wendy Arrowsmith
Brother crow
Anna Shannon
Keepers Fold
2 Black Sheep & A Stallion
Jez Lowe
Stan Graham
Pillowfish
Zoox
Zeke Deighton
Diad
Acoustica
Chris Milner
Hamish Currie
Tony Levy
Hall Bros
Hut People
Young uns
Tom Bliss + Robin Bailey + Franana
Gerry McNiece + Bill Lloyd
Jeff Warner + Kathryn Davidson & Dan Walsh + Tinkercuss
John Conolly + Doghouse Roses
Richard Grainger + Nick Brooker + Joolz Cavell
Kim Guy
Ian McKone
Bill Evans & Megan Lloyd (American Bluegrass legends)

+ a couple I've forgotten!

Booked:
Roger Davies + Blind Summat
Dave Gibb + Sue & Dave Swales + Pearson Clan
Brother Crow
Vicky Swan & Johnny Dyer

.........and I have 2 w/e events on hold (due to venue challenges) with a host of other well known and not so well known acts.

I also have 2 young children, a full time job and lots of other stuff going on. But some things are too important not to do!

Having said that, I think you are quite right to state your opinion about what you want from a venue.....someone might pick up on it and make it a reality.

Looking at your list of "youngsters" you would like to see booked in your town.....I would have trouble booking most of them as their fee expectations would probably outstrip their "pull" with the local folk community. I don't mean to slag them off by saying this (good luck to them, honestly) it's just a reality I have to face. They are really in the "festival" price bracket as far as I can see.

Cheers

Paul