I don't know how old Vera Johnson was when she first started writing and singing. She was definitely no spring chicken when I last heard her.

I can understand why Terry made the posting that he did. There must be many men who would be interested in the same (or very similiar questions) and the title of the thread might tend to make them feel that they should keep out.

Both my partner Linda (ESSEX GIRL) and myself are in our later 50s and have each been singing for over 35 years. I don't think that the issues which we've faced have been particularly different. Linda and I are both primarily singers although I play guitar, concertina, and melodeon.

The main REASON for performing has always got to be because YOU want to, but you have to perform FOR your AUDIENCE. In other words the main pleasure that you can get out of performing comes via the audience feedback.

Who that audience is will vary, sometimes (especially in sessions) it will be friends (I hope I never have to perform to an audience of enemies). If you're doing a gig the audience is likely to be mainly strangers - but if you get it right many of them should be friends by the end of the performance. Neither Linda or myself really perform for family - the kids want their own music - folk is bad for street cred !

As Linda and I usually perform as a duo these days, we do have to agree on pieces which we sing together - although we each have solo numbers of our own choice. Do I detect from your question about support that you don't feel you get it ? The best way of showing that your choice is valid is to be successfully performing it in front of an audience.