Aye - I get what you mean, Jim. If a newcomer to folk music hears, for instance, Bellowhead or Spiers and Boden then turns up to a club, expecting the same type of music, they will, like as not, be disappointed. They will probably get a mix of trad and contemporary with lots of other things thrown into the mix. It is a very difficult juggling act running a folk event. Do you lean to one definition or another? Or, as you say, do a Humpty-Dumpty and make up your own?

But I do not believe that is what kills of the traditional clubs. I think it is far more to do with image. When folk aficionados, such as many on hear, are happy to tell anyone who asks that folk is an invention of the Victorian upper classes or that it is performed only by well meaning enthusiasts in dingy back rooms than, as I said a couple of posts back, is it any wonder people are put off?

A late friend of mine, Dave Weatherall, rest his soul, once told me off for saying 'good enough for folk' when he was tuning up. And he was right to do so. Until we all believe that folk is not those things that I mentioned earlier, that it has moved on, that it is relevant, exciting and, more importantly, good to listen to and participate in, we will not improve the situation at all.

Cheers

DtG