Now I really am confused :-(

Dave, I appreciate the work you're putting in to your new campaign to do all you can to discredit anything I say...and I almost have to compliment you on the cleverness of your new approach

There is no new campaign. I am not trying to discredit anything or anyone. I am trying to understand why someone wants to replace the music I like with the music they like.

And yes, please feel free to bring up Phil Beer's letter, or bring Show of Hands into this

Why on earth would I want to do that? It has nothing whatsoever to do with the discussion. In all our past conversations I have tried to keep within the bounds of what we were talking about. I have failed miserably at times but, on the other hand, so have you. I have never been nasty about any performer or any song either. The most I have ever said is that he/she/they/it is not my cup of tea. And still, none of this explains why anyone wants to deny my right to listen to traditional music.

As to knitting and ear plugs. Well, we will have to disagree about that. As you say, you are not an artist. I am and I can understand that people often behave differently from the norm. I would not be upset in the slightest if anyone knitted, did a crossword, wore sparkly ear defenders or painted their bums blue. I would get annoyed if someone spoke loudly through a song or got up and danced around to the annoyance of people who did actually want to see me on stage. But that is never likely to happen as I am not that good :-)

Cheers

DtG