I participate in two well led singing communities that use RUS, and each one also has a self-compiled (printed) collection of songs. I've started a third, as recently described elsewhere.

Each of these groups uses not only RUS and their own songbook, but one another's collections as well. Both groups quite happily welcomed (and actively supported) my starting the third group.

In none of these does anyone object to playing together from the books to learn a new piece, and once they're familiar with a song many members add lovely improvised or harmony parts-- there are no Book Police. And just like Mudcat threads, if an individual wants to add a second or third arrangement to the book, that's fine too.

General agreement to singing or playing in the key set by the person choosing the song is just about the only requirement.... except that in an effort to keep folk and bluegrass distinct, one group frowns on banjos.

People in these groups (and leading th may not be total purists who conform to some other leaders' notions of what the rules ought to be-- but they do sound like they're having the kind of fun Pete Seeger described in RUS. They're growing in numbers-- and in songs enjoyed.

~Susan