I think Conrad must be joking!

"Do musicians have to be comercial in each of their waking hours? 24 seven?"

I'm laughing so hard at that one, I can't even react.

("The concept as laid out harkens back to the absolutist monarch on his high throne in his private court patronizing musicians.")

I think working your ass off for 4 hours in a smokey bar filled with drunks shouting for "Dylan, Neil Young, and Rock and Roll" for 75 bucks, is a trifle inhibiting if you want to play "well".

I learned quite a few years ago that I couldn't "eat" my newspaper reviews, no matter how complimentary they were. I simply decided to try and find a few people who liked my music enough to sit quietly and LISTEN. Being down on "hype" and stuff, the house concert was a great alternative. I think some of my "hosts" over the past five years would be a trifle amused to be equated with Royalty.

One other thing that I didn't mention in my earlier post is that I have made some absolutely wonderful friends from the house concerts, from among the organizers and patrons.

Believe me none of my professional folkie friends are in it for the money. I could make a lot more as a security guard.

Rick