Your lack of people skills - as displayed here and elsewhere, would more likely persuade them to go off and take up macrame rather than work at being a singer."
Jim, you have never met me,furthermore your statement could not be further from the truth.
and now here are some more facts, I have taught pupils for many years, some have stayed with me for five to six years and have recommended other people to take lessons.
I recently did a workshop at Tenterden folk festival,the feedback was good, nobody decided to take up macrame as far as i am aware, in fact a couple of mudcat members were there]and i have not heard any reports of them taking up macrame.
    jim, everyone including the tone deaf can have an opinion on singing, that does not mean their or your opinion is of any worth, ANY MORE THAN YOUR OPINIONS ON FOLK CLUBS ARE OF ANY WORTH,those opinions like so many of your opinions are based upon THE VERY occasional visit YOU MAKE to England and are classic cases of generalising from the particular.