I try to make the gig if at all possible. Being in a duo/trio format, if I'm miserable, all I have to do is play guitar. Margaret and Kate can do the singing, we can't do the three part harmonies, but we can do a good show. A lot of places will be reasonable, as long as they believe you are not just blowing them off for a frivolous reason. But, you are risking getting a reputation for being unreliable if it happens a lot.

We only cancelled one gig because I had a sore throat. We were just starting towards the place (about three hours away). It was starting to snow. We called the venue and found out they hadn't really done anything to promote the show, there was not a guarantee attached, and we were looking at the possibility of driving to play for three people for a percentage of the door. We decided it was better to cut our losses and go back home.