A lot of good points have been brought up and it has made me wonder why I've been putting myself through all this when perhaps a clean break was in order some time ago. I don't dislike either of the other members (the whistle player is quite attractive but not really my type, by the way) and my decision was based on whether or not the music would be acceptable or not. I think had it been myself and the melodeon player the answer would have been yes, and I'd have explained the situation to the organizers and if they'd agreed, gone as a duo. I did try to be nice about it to the whistle player and explained that I didn't think our arrangements worked without the melodeon player, which is true. I didn't add that it might be a real disaster without the melodeon player covering up her weaknesses but that is also true, and perhaps I've been too nice about it - but I can't deal with the pouting and defensiveness. When things started out a year or so ago I'd hoped she'd come up to speed with practice, but that just hasn't happened and I might as well face it - it isn't going to.   I still don't agree with their perception that I "cheated" anybody out of their pay for a gig. Had it not been for me beating the bushes, making calls, sending demos, etc. there'd have been no gig.