I've seen and heard Pete Seeger, Peggy Seeger, Ewan McColl, Joan Baez, Theodore Bikel, Richard Dyer-Bennet, Sandy Paton, and several dozen other well-known singers of folk songs live and in concert, and I have NEVER seen a singer in those lofty heights of professionalism use a crib sheet. I have also seen a number of what might be called "real" folk singers (grew up in the tradition) such as Lightnin' Hopkins, Mance Lipscomb, Mississippi John Hurt, and Almeda Riddle at folk festivals and in concert. And they didn't use crib sheets either.

I have never used them myself, nor did I have cue cards when I was on live television.

Anyone who aspires to sing for other people, whether professionally or just for fun should have enough respect for their audiences that they LEARN the song.

I once had a voice teacher who had me bring my guitar to the lessons, and after we had gone through the routine of vocal exercises and matters of vocal technique, he would have me sing whatever song I happened to be working on at the time. He would often stop me in mid-verse and ask me "What, exactly, does that line mean?" Now, he knew perfectly well what it meant, but he wanted to make sure that I knew what it meant and wasn't just singing it by rote—like, unfortunately, many people do. He wanted me to know what the song was all about, the better to be able to put it across to the audience.

It's an essential part of the minstrel's art.

Don Firth

P. S. Now, I might use a crib sheet taped to a microphone in a recording session, just to make sure I don't blow the words—which everyone does from time to time—and save having to do a re-take. When you're paying for recording studio time, retakes can get a bit pricey.

But in front of a live audience? Tacky!