"I love you, but I'm not in love with you"

"I like you as a person, but..."

"I'm not interested in getting into a serious relationship with anybody right now"

"I forgot I'd already booked you when I booked that other band"

"I can't pay you much, but the tips are great here"

"The place was packed wall-to-wall when that other band was here last week"

"The other folkies who perform here say they're just doing it for the love of the music, they don't want to be paid anything for it so why should you?"

"You know how it is..."

(From the fellow showcase musician who talks loudly with bar-buddies all the way through your showcase set): "You sounded great!"