Stringsinger ... I completely agree that commercial festival and events - those whose purpose is to make financial gains for the sponsers- should expect to pay their workers. Musicians, gaffers, etc.

HOWEVER... this statement she made in her opening post is what sticks in my craw and in others who have taken exception to her inflexible attitude.
"I'm sure ALL festivals have people selling food/beer there, so WHY are musicians content to bring in the crowds to make those people profits, whilst not being paid a penny themselves."

Spoken by one who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. Here is the website for the small, local event that does not pay any musicians and uses the funds raised to cover expenses and make donations back to the community. http://www.springwaterfiddlersfair.net/index.htm

The craft venders have to pay to exhibit their works... the musicians get in free with a guest, given a token gift and are fed. While knowing that their participation is helping others. Only a few get stage time... anyone else who shows up with an instrument gets in free. We all got red hats, which explains all those hats in the various photos.

Folks have not only done this once, but 5 times and we are signing up for the 6th festival this fall. Any many of these folks have been paid to perform in other venues... this is their contribution to a good cause. What many of us have tried to point out, is that not everything revolves around the almighty dollar, pound, euro, rubble or yen. And that does not make us sell outs... rather it confirms our basic decency and concern for something other than short term gain. OK, and maybe some feel it's their only shot at performing.. but they are the ones out playing in the woods, not on stage.