Guest Steve...I found myself laughing because it has actually happened to me! A small poorly promoted celtic festival once provided us with no audience other than other musicians and vendors, ie no paying customers. We played our set and there was not a soul to applaud us. The event was heavily sponsored so we were payed okay, but the only patrons in the beer tent were other musicians. Pretty surreal.

I don't think size matters in folk groups if the performances are of quality, but the more members there are the more logistical and less musical the business becomes. Decent management helps.

Peace, Mooh.