Hi Andy, whereabouts are you? The eastern side of the pond somewhere, I imagine.

A good way to find out more would be to 'do' a few festivals, where you'll get the chance to hear many different paid performers, as well as amateurs in singarounds and sessions; then discuss your likes and dislikes with knowledgeable souls such as you will find here at the Mudcat.

Also, find out about your local folk clubs, and go and see as many guests as you can: you'll find different clubs may book different genres of performers, and you may well get involved more closely in a club which books the sorts of acts you like.

Last but not least, get yerself to a mudcat gathering, where you will hear all sorts of 'real' music being played, mostly acoustic, by people who love the music and would be delighted to share it with one such as you who wants to know more.

You've come to the right place!

(Look out for Little Johnny England whose music owes a lot to Fairport and your other loves, and of course the great Sir Richard Thompson... but you didn't need telling that, I hope... :0)

I'll look out some CD details that may interest you, and maybe some links to internet sound clips.)

Noreen