I play free and I get paid. I've always considered being paid and honor and like Loudon Wainwright III I'm still amazed when I get paid.

As you ponder this decision La Marca you should consider that getting paid does place some responsibilities upon you. It means you should show up at the appointed time and the appointed date and be prepared to perform. That is the contract whether written, verbal, or just assumed.

If you don't deserve to get paid, don't worry, you eventually will get no offers. People will pay you or not if they like you, but if they don't like you they sure as Hell won't pay you.

Getting paid as you have certainly noted often has less to do with the absolute quality of the performance and more to do with many other skills.

It is clear to me that I am not eager to develop those skills. So I do not play often, I am approached and asked, I have done little to try to get a gig.

I perform in public because I believe I have something to offer. My repetoire has no Roger in Baltimore songs in it, though it could. I choose to pick songs I enjoy or songs that say something I think should be said. I love some music that I think others would love if they were only exposed to it and my job is to provide exposure.

Time to go to work.

Roger in Baltimore