Brigantae. I think that a great night is a bonus. You can have the gig from hell and stil be paid even though you may have wished for any number of reasons not to have been there.I've played through a dog fight (Yes, in a ceilidh) fights, drunken slips, trip and pukes. An almost orgy(A bonus {LOL}). Dancers too drunk to stand up. people being thrown into/onto the band as fun. Arguements, fights, screaming matches etc etc. All part of the night. Of course it's not part of the payment to have fun, but then extra danger money doesn't exist either !! Few people do a risk assesment before begining the gig.(We always considered the safety aspects) How many professional musicians(Dancers, actors, artists) give up, get severely depressed etc when they get a bad press or it doesn't go well? Or never get anywhere. (Depends on where they want to get and their skill level)I can't ever think that we ever got a bad comment. So having a great night on top of being paid is priceless irrespective of the fee. (A good gig is a good gig).

"One of the difficulties for professional musicians in this market is that we have to compete with others who just do it for fun." (That is the way of the world in many aspects of life)

It is not necessarily so. There are professional musicians who do this in between jobs. I've worked with some whose sole income is from music.They still have looked upon a good night as a bonus, or a bad night as a headache.Please don't mis-construe this. There are many superb amateur musicians who are much better than some professional musicians and of course many who are all levels from crap upwards.The only real difference is that pro's want to earn their living from it and (generally-not always and no inferrance intended as we've never met?) look down upon those who do it for fun.I am not stating this is always the case but most amateurs don't get "precious" as many professionals do.

Dave Hunt.
Thanks for the info. We always had insurance £5 million minimum, PAT testing etc. (Stupid not to and many places won't let bands work unless they have these)Hate to think what fuel cost charges would have been at 200 miles !! But fuel has risen and I think fees will go up to reflect the increases in every thing. My brand new family mpv suffered greatley being used as the band carryall !! Glad we always got at least minimum MU rates except travelling. (Could have turned down long distance gigs, but enjoyed the FUN of doing them)