Jim I live In Ireland.
every friday there is a session in Ballydehob,no one gets paid ,the session was started by my partner Cathy Cook,in 1987.
there is also a session in Skibbereen on a Tuesday,which is an unpaid session.
many pubs are closing in ireland,most of those that can afford to pay musicians, are those that make their money through selling food.
the reasons that pubs[in rural areas are closing are many,but drink driving laws,and lack of available public transport /taxis is an important one][money does play a part here] taxis drivers do not want to pick up a fare and go out into the country when they can stay in a town, picking up fares from a nightclub].
JIM I dont dismiss comments out of hand,I listen and if singers/musicians say something that makes sense,I consider it ,if they say something like money has been the ruination of music without backing it up,as you have done, I dismiss it.
one of the reasons,I have been involved in the Ballydehob Jazz festival,is to bring people to Ballydehob .
I suggest,that if you are concerned about rural Ireland ,you get involved in organising something that brings people to your area,.voting NO re the Lisbon Treaty,and protecting rural agricultural incomes,might be astart.Dick Miles