Jim Carroll

I have just re-read your posting and find that I was wrong to include you in the list of people who seriously suggested (and continue to suggest) that those of us proposing standards for singing in clubs seriously want auditions - your reference to such was one of a number of (somewhat facetious IMO) alternatives for choosing floor singers - I apologise.

Thank you, Jim. Perhaps my questions were a little facetious. The intention was to demonstrate the impossibility of knowing in advance whether someone was of sufficient standard to be given a floorspot. The only way we can judge their quality is by hearing them perform. All we can possibly know beforehand is that they want to sing or play.

Bryan dismissed my original example as a "strange lady of forty years ago" - (think I have got that right) implying (I think) that persistent bad singing isn't a problem

Yes, that is what I was implying. The reason I can't give an answer to your question is that it is one I have never had to deal with and feel that it is unlikely that I ever will. Yes, we have singers who are, perhaps, somewhat short of concert standard but I don't think I've ever met one who doesn't improve over time.

A while ago I quoted you as saying -

Why do people want to sing in a folk club? - because (they believe) they're worth it, and if you believe that, there's a good chance you are.

I have no idea what you meant when you said that was a bit hit-and-run. It could stand as a mission statement. We like to help people believe they are worth it.

By making our criterion the desire to sing, we are raising standards. Not by selecting the few who are good enough but by helping everybody to get better and, in my experience, they do.

We try and create the environment in which people can grow.

not in my (admittedly now somewhat limited) experience I'm afraid

That is, I think, the nub of the problem. I'm sorry that the club you went to last year was a dissappointment. I generally go to two a week and occasionally others. I hear about what's happening elsewhere. I go to several UK festivals. I don't recognise the world you describe. I'm sure those clubs must exist, but shop around a bit I think you would be pleasntly surprised. In particular, if you came to the Lewes Arms, I think you would find much to your liking.