Kelida, good luck in your journey. When I was playing night clubs I had a colossal repertoire based on handling requests for so long. I always tried to give the audience "what they wanted"....until it hit me that what they REALLY wanted was an entertainer who liked the same music they did. 'Fraid that wasn't true with me. My suggestion to anybody today is "find YOUR audience, and give them what they want". Man, you'll be so much happier.

Alice, I can relate to the uncertanty. I've always HATED taking orders from bullies, and sadly many club owners, managers and Maitre d's seem to have a lot of bully in them. I guess it goes with the territory, what with constant hiring and firing of staff, dealing with drunks and the mob, and hitting on female staff constantly, knowing their success rate will be high with those who don't want to lose their jobs.

When I got out of it to persue folk gigs exclusively, I watched my income plummet and even today with a reasonable profile and a number of albums, I earn about as much as a security guard. Like you I'm VERY thankful for the internet, cause it's allowed me to avoid agents and managers....and that ain't bad!

Jenny, I really knew that the mob liked musicians, that night in Montreal, when they invited myself and my fiddler out for dinner AFTER the club closed (about 2am). We walked down the street and one of them banged on the door of a closed steak house. The owner got out of bed, opened the door and fixed us some filets. Afterwards our "friends" asked us to play a few songs. We Did!

Rick