Not being facetious Jym, just trying to make a valid point. I'm glad you've never attempted to restrict what goes on in a folk club. You might well have been politely requested to go forth and multiply if you'd tried. You have, however, expressed some strong opinions about what should or should not go on in a folk club. Correct me if I am wrong but I think you have said that a certain amount of written material informed by the tradition was acceptable. You gave me a list of examples. It might include, for instance, the works of Ewan Macoll.

The trouble with that is that you have then abandoned all rules and the choice is purely subjective. If someone wants to sing Elvis, your own rules allow them to do so.

A couple of points -

I haven't taken the slightest bit of notice of anything Big Al says for quite some time. I recommend it. I think you will find it liberating.

In forty years I cannot recall ever having heard anyone sing an Elvis song or a Buddy Holly song in a folk club.