One of the longest running clubs in the Midlands, The Somers Traditional Folk Club, doesn't book guest artists. This is a strange idea for many club organisers. I thought that their experiences might hold some lessons for organisers of singers' clubs and singarounds, so I asked them to write about it. Here, Eleanor Simmons writes on "How Does the Somers Traditional Folk Club Manage to Succeed Without Booking Guests?" and other related matters. Visit the Somers web site at www.somerstfc.org.uk
I'd add one point to Eleanor's article. One of the shortcomings of the folk scene is that it doesn't reach out much to the general public. The Somers organisers have always sent out press releases to local newspapers and radio stations and, some years ago, they used to tour shows on folk themes.
Ever since the Club was approached to find someone to write on "The secret of the Somers' success", some of the greatest minds on the STFC Committee have tried to do this and not been satisfied with the results. So I offered to have a go.
Apart from this paragraph, added after the rest was written, I had completely forgotten that part of the brief was to address the issue of non-booking of guests - so peripheral does the idea of guests seem to the success of a folk club! But, in fairness, I can now recall that when I first came to the Somers, in May 1982, the idea of a club without guests did indeed seem pretty goofy, until I had actually spent a whole evening at the Somers and realised there is much more to a good folk club than booking professional artists. I don't think most people at the Club would wish things any different than we have them now - guest artists only at the annual Harvest Supper (on a Saturday) and the very rare occasional Saturday concert. These latter are a b***** to organise, by the way, which is one reason we have them so infrequently. And life is certainly too short to consider booking guests on a weekly or monthly basis.
The Somers Traditional Folk Club certainly succeeds at what we do best - singing, encouraging participation by all (even non-performers join in choruses with gusto, listen attentively or come out with the occasional witticism), and creating a very happy environment for those who enjoy singing, participating in other ways, or simply being there.
It is perhaps "Mastermind Specialist Subject: the Bleedin' Obvious" that when the Club was first started (24 years ago this January), folk clubs were more fashionable, and the people going to them were mostly in their 20s to 40s, and some of them also brought their children, some of whom were of an age where they were interested in performing and also brought their friends. These children have long since grown up and do not live in this area anymore. It is good to know that at least some of them are still interested in folk song or music and are involved in perpetuating folk where they are living now. The people we have with us now include a surprising number whose involvement goes back to those early years of the Club, and a satisfying number who have joined us since the move to Worcester (4 and a bit years ago) or somewhat before then. They are a thoroughly fine bunch of people. Very few, however, are young. Those few who are, are certainly something very special in that they are able to give and receive so much enjoyment in a setting which so very few of their peers think is at all "cool" nowadays (not that their peers would say "cool", of course)!
The changing demographic is a problem which we on the STFC committee, together with some assistance from the membership, do certainly intend to get to grips with over the coming year. Indeed, if there are any people out there of any age who enjoy good singing, who appreciate being listened to or feel they would benefit from a supportive audience, you will be most welcome whatever your age. If you are in the 20s, 30s or 40s, please do not be at all put off by the knowledge that a lot of the attenders are appreciably older - you may find that it is your cup of latte (or pint of bitter) after all! The atmosphere is generally cheerful. Such mild heckling as there is, is only directed at seasoned performers well-known to us - people who are tried and tested and known to be able to take it! Novice or less-confident performers are very much encouraged and supported - you can just feel the audience willing people to succeed!
As you can infer by the name Somers Traditional Folk Club, the tradition is encouraged and fostered, but most performers do sing a certain proportion of newer material, and many even write some of their own songs (wish I could do that!). Good songs or tunes in related genres are also very welcome, and we have the occasional monologuist, poet or storyteller.
Some of the variety in Club nights which also contributes to the Club's success includes a certain amount of built-in variety: our first-Friday choruses that comprise the first half of the evening once a month, and the second-Friday guest MCs. Many of our regulars enjoy doing the guest MC spot, and everyone enjoys watching a different MC bring a distinctive style to the proceedings. The chorus songs encourage the culture of participation, and get everybody singing.
Many Club nights are very well-attended, others less so; the latter sort are generally good fun too, and performers are rarely short of an extra song if called upon to do more than their usual two songs on quieter nights. We never know whether a night will be packed out or not, and I suspect we will never find out why attendances vary.
We will, however, certainly keep on singing!