Of course, you get a wee bit miffed when some hanker for their old days, which is fine, but then carry on to say folk or roots or acoustic whatever is dying.

That today's exciting talent wouldn't voluntarily go to what we call a folk club any more than I would go to a church seems to pass over their heads.

There are more young talented musicians on the folk and roots scene than ever. They play to crowds some would kill for. I was at a folk club in a town nearby last month, where they were moaning about nobody wanting folk. I mentioned the roots venue down the road. "All country and western" they said. I mentioned I watched Martin Carthy there two nights earlier to a sellout crowd. Apart from me, nobody in the club knew about it, let alone had a good night with him (streaming cold and all, but a trooper with it!). The younger pro acts they book are an absolute joy. Most of them have never set foot in a folk club, and sadly probably never will. 35 years ago I used to notice I was usually the youngest in the room. Nowadays I still often am!

Folk music is going through a great time. All other music is too. It's just that YouTube is the stage these days. The inspiration for my sharpening up my bouzouki playing isn't Andy Irvine (although I am going to see him in a couple of weeks time) but a Dutch teenager playing to his computer in his bedroom. Stunning music.

Of course, I'd rather be watching live with a pint but there you go. One old lad said at a session I go to occasionally that if anyone brought a pa in, he'd walk out and leave. Said it nastily to someone who wanted to bring his new jazz guitar to the session. Needless to say, my back line amp came with me next time. He must be psychic because he didn't turn up!