Surely this is what seperates the greats from the also rans. If you are losing the audience, you don't do 347 verses of Robin Hood and Friar Tuck, you don't do Somewhere over the Rainbow either. You may win them back with a 60's Rock'n'Rolly thing though. You have to read the audience to see what you can get away with, by all means stretch the boundaries from end to end. Try 53 Vincent Black Lightning in a really Trad club, it has All the elements of a Ballad, or Martin Said to his Man in a contemprory environment. I remember a guy back in England years ago who threw in a few Buddy Holly songs now and again, always went down well. Boldly go where no folk have been before. Good Luck, you may need it. JohnB