Age when I discovered folk clubs? - 25. And so were the the organizers give or take a year or two. Upper age? We had a brilliant singer-songwriter who was a retired civil servant as a regular supporter, who was a great influence on many people with regard to performing/communicating with his audience.

As I travelled around England I found that organizers tended to be my age group too.   I now have a bus pass!   

At our singarpounds today we do have a number of poeple 10-15 years younger than me but when twenty somethings come along they tend to move on to open mic or other sorts of musical events; forming accousitic based bands.

The good thing is that many young visitors are going on to support - even orgainize - accousic music somewhere. More folk influenced songs in the pop charts would be a great help.

But what we must stamp out is the cliquery so dominant in many clubs over the years - which sinply stifled keen new singers.

And this is the mega reason in my view why many clubs are not so healthy - organizers put their egos and class biases before a healthy scene for the future - and NOW they're getting payback!


Ian Fyvie