Sorry - but some people do seem to think we just somehow acquire a following from nowhere by magic, and so believe that merely announcing that the guest next week is XX is enough, and that seemed to be what you were endorsing with your comment "I don't see why we should guarantee an artist against their failure to bring in an audience."

I've not been to your club yet but I do know you're not like that there (I'd understood it was run by someone else). My apologies.

I'm used to playing to full club rooms and festival main stages, but I've had my share of disasters, and witnessed other good acts playing to two men and a dog that deserved better.

Of course no-one pays you, but as my old Dad used to say all the time - 'if a job's worth doing it's worth doing properly,' and 'the more you put in the more you get out.'

I spend all my time trying to ensure full rooms - for my benefit mainly, but also the club's, and I know a lot about it because it's in my interests to do so.

Yes, I'll always accept a percentage even with no guarantee if that's what clubs prefer - but if so I MUST be confident they're also doing their bit to get people to come - otherwise what would be the point? I have a family to feed.

Those clubs that have a similar approach, and are willing to see the bigger picture are the real stars.