Bruce Cocburn is someone who comes to mind as a performer who really has worked at his showmanship. I've been to many concerts, and he seems like a really shy guy who chooses to communicate mainly through his instrument and lyrics, but that's not enough for most audiences. Gradually he has seemed to come out of his shell. But typically it'll take him 3 or 4 tunes before he says anything at all. And he does have wit.

A guy like Stephen Fearing meanwhile, has a terrific knack for stories and observations, all while retuning his guitar.

In terms of peeves though, I think the thing that often makes me cringe is a performer apologizing on stage. I'm actually not sure why, but it just hits me like fingernails on a chalkboard. Maybe it's the shyness thing, where one feels one really isn't worthy and so they exude this "I'm nothing attitude". SB