"And Lizzie, pay no attention to those that seem to want to attack any question you raise. This is a valuable discussion, I understand the point you raise, and it's distinctions. In the main, I agree with you. I believe that Pete would too."

Will Fly made very good points regarding your post. I'd like to add these additional points...

yes.. exploitation of ANYONE who has to work for a living is wrong... it's not just muscians that are getting the shitty end of the stick in this world.

BUT... you are not doing a service to give an unqualified endorsement to someone whose form of logic is "if a collie is a dog, then obviously all dogs must be collies". And what she has perceived to be attackes, were mostly those of us who were attempting to steer away from her blanket accusations of unjust treatment by using our own examples based on very real facts.

Mick... your choice of doing the occassional free gig (using very valid reasons for your choices) was also under attack for being a "sellout", since there is never a correct reason in her book for not getting paid. In my experience - 40 years in the environmental field- extremist attitudes do more damage than good when trying to make improvements to bad situations and overcoming negative attitudes. There are enough closed minds out there... we need to get & keep them open.