The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #115388 Message #2469466
Posted By: Big Al Whittle
18-Oct-08 - 07:38 PM
Thread Name: Folk Club Manners
Subject: RE: Folk Club Manners
I sort of agree. I think we should all be courteous and nice to people, and careful of each others feelings.
On the other hand, I DO feel that somehow we sort of lose something when we insist on the rapt attention of the audience. After all much of this music sprang from noisy alehouses and the like.
There are some clubs and radio programmes that are very disrespectful of people that play folk clubs, but also are capable of doing pub gigs. It makes me wonder, if theres not an element of jealousy in the equation - because if you can't have at least a brave attempt at dominating a room - you will have a job making a living as an entertainer. That is if you're not one of the folk scene's elected- who all seem to do 'very nice - thankyou!'
Also its sad. because depending on a silent respectful audience is very limiting. I was amazed once when i was corresponded with Noel Murphy and he told me he could not bear to play noisy Irish theme bars. Similarly Jack Hudson would never touch the country and western clubs. Both artists could have made a fortune if they could have got their heads round gigging such places when they were thriving. Well not a fortune - but enough money to live comfortably.
I know what's coming. You people are such aficionados that a gross character like myself could never understand your fine feelings - but ordinary people have to make compromises. they go out to jobs they hate, they get their lives wasted. Why is it wrong to say to a musician - well theres supply and demand. And there ain't a demand for what you WANT to do, but there is a demand for someone with your sort of talents.