Against my adopted practice , but here goes:

GUEST: There are folkies who do not need to drink alcohol to either lubricate, inebriate or make them feel they are having fun. Do not tar us all with the same brush. Similarly, there are people who DO need it but they are not all folkies.

There is a need for lubrication and sometimes, alcoholic beverages are the ideal thing, particularly a nice, rich warm red wine that serves as lubricant and guards against certain illnesses and diseases - medical research has proven, a regular, moderate intake of red wine can be beneficial. Alcohol relaxes certain muscles that can constrict the throat and cause the voice to tighten and become forced. I daresay vallium would have the same effect, but I prefer not to have my legs turn to boiled asparagus beneath me. Some people find singing in public a traumatic experience, so the odd sip of 'Dutch Courage' helps them that way.

I have very little desire to get stinking drunk myself - I'm far too responsible to let that happen, but I do not go around evangelising on the merits of drinking naught but water and orange juice.

Besides - drinking beer or wine for the evening usually ends up a bloody sight cheaper than drinking soft drinks!

LTS