Yes my point-its not the quality of the telling but the quality of the story. Presentation in music also is only one small part

For me not to understand and appreciate a song or a story it has to be very badly done indeed- never have heard anything done that poorly. And jokes- remember I said if told. That means if it is all there in the right order. Listen to the ancient field recordings. Lots of those folks would not be given a stage today yet their work is wonderful.

I did not say that you had to stick to local material and talent but that there was nothing wrong with it and that locals need no one else for inspiration other than themselves. You dont need outside help. That is my point. So dont adapt it to your negativity in regard to FREE folk.

When you bring in outside talent you raise costs, raising costs is counter productive when it comes to accessibility and by the way if you think you need inspiration from affar there is always you tube and recordings many of which are free.

With all of you telling me that folk musicians have no money it is surprising how so many of them are out there all the time on one tour or the next. I dont have that kind of money for travel.

So either they have money or they dont. Maybe they are getting government funds therefore the real cost is borne by the out of work and hungry whose funds they are using up to be at a festival near you.

And by the way when they get to town land in some hotel drop in to the festival for an hour and its back to the hotel dont think that anyone has learned anything it is mostly entertainment.

Conrad