I am going to be anonymous on this one, as like Dick, who as you will all have seen, was recently been described as a 'talentless moron' I've also been insulted here. I've seen Dick performing and can tell those of you that don't know him, he is a polished and professional performer, and knowledgeable about the material he performs.

I've also had my abilities as a performer called into question, so perhaps those rude people should ask the opinion of the 1000 or so people on my mailing list, or the 1000's of people I have performed to at clubs and festivals.

I normally post under my own name, but I've come to the conclusion that I have no wish to be tarred with the same brush as the large number of obnoxious idiots that contribute here.

The article Dick reproduced was credited both to the author, and the original poster, and is a very valid topic for discussion, so I see no earthly reason to berate him for posting it. But then of course, a large number of the 'experts' here, as is evident from their posts, are so full of their own self importance, and consider themselves to be wonderful singers, but it reality could not hold the attention of an audience for more than one song, and are also totally intolerant of others who sing purely for pleasure, but acknowledge their shortcomings and have no aspiration to be a professional performer, so are very much the topic of the piece Dick posted.

It is such a shame, as Mudcat is a fine resource, and it is sad that it is abused in the way it is. FIRST REMOVE THE PLANK FROM YOUR OWN EYE!

If I bother to post again here, I'll be rudely anonymous and proud of it.