There is an art to encouraging the shy person sitting in the corner to sing or play. If you want to observe an expert practitioner or two, watch Sandy and Caroline Paton host a song circle. There are, of course, may others who are good at this. Last June at the Old Songs Festival, I watched Bob Zentz and Joel Mabus lead a song circle with equal skill. I daresay there are many Getaway regulars who are practiced at it, also. It's an ability to open an invitation and apply exactly the right amount of attention to encourage without embarassment, and to be willing to table the invitation and offer it again a little later if there's shyness. It's an art to learn!

--Charlie Baum