... as for rates, mine vary dramatically. As I said I still work at every chance I can get. I still do some gigs for CD sales only, if they look promising and fit my schedule (and sometimes just for charity).

My current list of pub gigs pay from $150 to $350 - but tips and/or CD sales always bump that total up about $100. Festival and concerts (my mainstay) vary dramatically, small and mid-sized festivals have to promise me a reasonable base (as low $800 plus expenses - but typically $1,200 plus expenses). Big festivals can pay more, a lot more but may not have to because CD sales can exceed my base at other festivals. I need to earn over a grand at festivals and I almost always do. I aim to exceed two. Thank God for on-line CD and MP3 sales, because they have become an important part of my income.