BETSY, in many ways you are right, but....no performer is obliged to do any gig he does not want to do, I only do gigs in folk clubs and festivals, I dont do pub gigs any more that is my choice.,that way I know I will have an audience that is interested.
THE PUB... definition public house, it should be open to all members of the public, if a publican decides to charge ten pounds for everyone coming into the pub, he will eventually become unpopular with his regular trade, unless he has 2 rooms, one for the people who want to drink and one for those who have come for a concert, that situation is in effect no different from a folk club.
members of the public are then free to make their own decision and have a choice,there is nothing wrong with that.
but if their is not a choice and everyone is charged a tenner, my guess is that the landlord wont last very long, the locals will become resentful of the landlord and possibly folk music.
isnt this music supposed to be about folk /communities?