Way back percentages against a guarentee were common when booking rock acts. The big difference back in the seventies was that the promoter was allowed to claim certain expenses against the gross eg Advertising, venue hire, in once inatance hiring a Grand Piano etc. In effect it was percentage against net (agreed) income. The ticket prices were also agreed and if it worked we all benefitted. The agents weren't thick, they wanted successful gigs and to do business with us again. If folk agents aren't thinking the same way then it's their business at risk.

Before we get too far into the poverty of folk audiences and how we must keep prices down consider both the amount of booze that seems to be consumed and also how many instruments keep being bought. As comparators also consider the price of a round of golf, a CD, gym club membership or the price of a meal out. Even at £10 for an evening's entertainment I think folk music is still one of the great bargains.

Again as a comparison, The Who, outdoors in Hull, £39.50 (inc £4.50 booking fee, now there's a dodge). That's standing, seats are more.

All the best

Steve Ogden