Some folks cannot remember the words to songs so they have a piece of paper handy to remind them. Nothing wrong with that.

Some people don't make sure they're on top of a song before singing it in public - and I think there is something wrong with that

Listen, Richard Shindell ALWAYS has his word book and I should think that he makes a pretty good living - he lives in Buenos Aires and commutes to the USA and Europe. Polly Bolton who perhaps has one of the best folk voices ever in the UK, ALWAYS had her words.

It is a very bigoted view to think that song sheets should not be used. Some people simply have short term memory loss.

I have heard men who sound like bleating sheep singing in folk clubs but I would never say that they should not perform. I saw a female duo in a Euston folk club having a chat as if they were in their kitchen at home before they sang, but I would never say that they should not perform.