Subject: RE: What is Happening to our Folk Clubs
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 12 Oct 17 - 08:19 AM

it isn't unknown for folksingers to have zero interest in their fellow performers.

my first paid gig bout 75/76 was three quid as a support to Nic Jones.
Nic stayed in the bar downstairs till it was his time to perform. it dismayed many local acts who had wanted to get a nod of approval from their hero..

Al, I'm not sure that I can go along with your disapproval of artists who choose to be absent during opening spots. I can think of dozens of top level performers I have seen in the club which I helped run until recently, who prefer not to be in the audience during the opening act.

In many cases, I think it may be that they think their very presence might unnerve an inexperienced performer. In other cases, it might well be that they want to "psych" themselves up right up until the last minute before they take the stage.

I have no way of knowing for sure , but I would guess that the latter would have been the case as far as Nic Jones was concerned.