What are these gigs that "only the wealthiest can attend"?

Most of the gigs I go to by professional musicians cost between £5.00 and £12.00. Considering three pints of bitter in the average UK pub costs about £8.25, that's not bad at all.

Add all the free stuff that happens, folkies do a lot better than most.

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I'm perplexed about this notion that makers of hand-crafted instruments should give it all up because they're promoting elitism. I rejoice in the fact that there are people around with the skills to make a top quality concertina, for example. If the length of time the job takes and the expertise involved means they have to charge a high price to make a living, so be it. I'd hate to see those traditional skills go down the pan because only cheaply made mass produced instruments were acceptable. There has to be room for both. We should cherish our artisans and craftspeople.

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Ralphie, if you haven't stopped rubbernecking the car crash and are still reading this, I'd like to buy a copy of your CD but I've lost you email addy. Could you send me contact details, price etc via the email at the bottom of this page? Maybe we could also talk downloads some more... Cheers!