With respect Jim you seem to have some issues regarding traditional music and song ~ I would say that as with the so called Revival of the late 1960s traditional song and contemporary songs as well to some extent the blues and Americana contributed to an evenings entertainment ~trad song and shanties all made a folk clubs (or any gathering) song quota night

Traditional song nights as a stand alone would tend to put people off a bit ~particularly those not well versed ~ this from me is my English point of view course

Ray