When I'm carrying a guitar about, I'm often asked, "What sort of music do you play?" I answer, "Mostly folk music." The usual response is, "Is that country music?" Aaarrrrggghhhhh!!!

The truth is, most people don't even know what folk music is. And never mind other UK countries, other countries outside the UK give extensive funding to their folk music because they are (quite rightly) proud of their musical heritage.

Why doesn't it happen here? Many factors, possibly going back to Oliver Cromwell's ban on folks enjoying themselves, through to venues now being penalised for allowing folks to enjoy themselves musically if they haven't got the right PEL.

How to rectify the situation? The media could help, and some parts of it certainly do. Otherwise, we just have to carry on singing and playing in public. I run folk nights, without a PA, in public bars, as opposed to private function rooms. While there are certainly some problems with noise around the bar etc, it does open the whole thing up to the public, some of whom are pleasantly surprised and start coming regularly. These people would never have come into a private room to hear the music. And they now have a better idea of what folk music is. And even start singing it themselves.

I've no wish to criticise folk clubs who do meet privately, but I think public sessions are a good thing PR-wise. And if I understand the history of folk music correctly, the original singers, from whom the folk-songs were collected, would normally sing in a public or public-bar situation. So that would appear to be the "traditional" way of doing things!

As I said, no criticism intended, but if we're to educate the public, I think we've got to get out there where the public is. There is certainly a place for private club nights (let's face it, some people would be terrified of singing in an open bar but may be encouraged in a private situation). But, at least every so often, let the public know just how enjoyable folk music can be!

Joan