How about the proposition: "Folk clubs may die but, actually, it doesn't matter." Just to be a tad controversial...

Folkiedave - I guess we're about the same age (65 this year for me), and we probably grew up. musically, in the same folk world of the 60s and 70s. However, I suppose I have a different take on the current scene.

I was at a singaround/session last night - monthly session - in the bar of a pub in Surrey. It's a night I wouldn't miss for the world - a gathering of friends to sing and play, under the very loose guidance of one of the company - with wonderful singing, great selection of material old and new, and good fellowship. The bar was full and every performer got to do at least three pieces. Not that it mattered because most of us were encouraged to get in there and join in anyway! We raised the roof and I left at 11.45'ish, on a high. Not a club.

The previous night, I ran my usual monthly Sunday acoustic session in my local pub - in the bar. A small but enthusiastic gathering, with young and old people playing guitars, fiddle, mandolin, flute, whistle.. Once again, a great night - and not a club. I play a lot in my village - occasionally outside my village club on charity events on summer day - acoustic guitar through a PA, and there are a surprising number of young people who come up (probably to humour the old boy) and say how much they enjoyed it.

My point is, as I said earlier, that the music will find it's outlet - regardless. (Please - let it never be subsidised into official "folk clubs"). And either of those sessions would have welcomed a performer wishing to improve their skills - at any level.

As to whether folk rock killed clubs or not, well ... I'm just listening to "Morris On" as I write this. Still a great album and one, I'm sure, that actually encouraged people to go to clubs - as did early Fairport and Steeleye Span recordings.

By all means lets keep the clubs as vibrant as possible, but don't worry if the music meanders off elsewhere as well. I actually can't recall phenomena like singarounds and sessions and open mics being very common in my part of Lancashire in the 60s - but here they are, large as life and going on apace. :-)