If you you like karaoke then it's fine by me but it seems a bit defeatest to say that that's all there is for the amateur music maker.

If there are no folk pubs/clubs in an area and there are people who would like to go beyond karaoke, then get together with like-minded friends and start something up, even if it's just in someone's home. Who knows, it could be the start of a blossoming folk scene.

No high horse - it's just that karaoke is not "the only acceptable way".

DC