I think that you should definitely go for it, CS. I always enjoy your posts and your obviously someone with a feeling for folk song. I'm surprised that you're not, at least, a floor singer already! I'd definitely give you a hearing - but, I suspect that we're at different ends of the country.

As others have said:

- Memorise the words and don't read from a book or crib sheet.

- Start with something that you know well and can sing easily.

- Over a period of time, that you find comfortable, try and stretch yourself by working up to more 'difficult' stuff.

- Try and get some honest, supportive, critical feedback on your singing.

Just a little story: I've been interested in folk song for over 40 years now (which is enough time to get terribly jaded). I attend a little local, monthly singaround which I enjoy well enough. Recently, two young women, both relatively new singers, have got up to sing and have completely blown me away! One is so good that I think that she is one of the best singers that I have ever heard - a complete natural! I have to pretend I've got something in my eye every time I hear her! Who knows, CS, you could be that good - but even if you're not, I bet you're still worth listening to!