Often the younger people are better than some of us staid older generation who have been singing and playing the same old stuff for most of their lives without much, if any, improvement, in some cases. With the easy availability of music choice today via the Internet and the free availability of lyrics, chords, tabs and even note by note guitar lessons etc, the standard of the younger ones who frequent our clubs here in Oz is very high indeed. I don't think they feel intimidated at all by an older generation's skills. Perhaps it is just "not their scene" to see old bushy bearded blokes (and women!!) with a hand over their ear grunting old sea shanties over a few pints in a pub when they know they can do a hell of a lot better themselves. We don't hold our folk club here (Teralba NSW) in a pub, we hire a small community hall and charge just $2.50 (Oz) to come in. It is byo with tea and coffee free. It is a community run gathering, no-one gets paid but we still get very good local and not so local talent coming along. And yes, we have a good representation from the young, not so young and older generations. We are thriving!!