Jerry,
I'd agree that some of the artists I mentioned would be beyond the means of a small coffee house. Some of them aren't though. I've also seen several of the artists I mentioned in coffee houses including Richie Havens. Others that I mentioned that I've seen playing in small coffee houses are Odetta, Corey Harris, Robert B. Jones, Philadelphia Jerry Ricks, Josh White Jr., Kim & Reggie Harris, Vance Gilbert, John Jackson (although he died a few weeks ago), Otis Taylor, Laura Love, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Guy Davis, Jackie Washington and Cephas & Wiggins.
Jerry