To a certain extent, yes. But there are plenty artists who tour the country and will often do local folk clubs for a reasonable rate. While they are not 'nationals' they are not local either! When I helped to run a folk club we used to alternate singers and guest nights so every other week we had a paid guest. Probably about 60% were local but the other 40% were touring artists who, quite often, had an arrangement with us that they came once a year, usually around the same time, while they were in the area. We did very occasionally book major nationals if the club funds were healthy and we could afford to subsidise the ticket price.

Hope this helps :-)

DtG