Of course travel expenses drive cost for the musician and likely the venue. However, I never consider the musicians' travel costs when deciding whether to buy a ticket -- I consider the cost of the ticket, whether I like the venue, how badly I want to see the artist, whether I have to work the next morning, if I can get to the show on time, my travel cost, what else is going on that night, and a hundred other things, but never the musicians' travel costs. Not my problem, thanks anyway.

If an artist or venue wants to sell me a ticket I would point out that I am the only paying customer in the deal and ticket price is determined, in the end, by what I am willing to pay.

Do high prices keep people away from the music? If I don't buy a ticket there are plenty of musical alternatives available in bars, camp grounds, on back porches, in church halls, in song circles, etc without benefit of organizers or tickets. Some of that music is pretty average, but some of it is as good as anything you will hear from a stage. High ticket prices can keep folks out of a venue. High ticket prices can't shut them off from the music.
- Phil