its a trade off. life isn't perfect - unless you're very successful in the music business, you don't get to play the music you want to for a living.

And if you feel an open mic situation isn't giving you the chance to develop what you do - then you must learn enough of more popular music styles, until you know enough to work commercially. One thing is quite certain - there is always demand for live music and performance, but times and fashions change. look how many folksingers spend their lives lamenting that the folk scene ain't what it was.

but if you are a performer, and that is something you locate within you own personality - then you have the ability and desire to enterain other people.

I promise you, almost unwillingly - when you start, or rather when you have mastered another style - you will find that you make discoveries about your own abilities and strengths as a performer, and moreover discoveries about the nature of music.

In fact in a while, you end up feeling sort of sorry for people who have been successful from day one in the music business. they don't develop and learn much. usually they stay churning out the same old rubbish - hardly looking at the ever dimishing audience - people they never gave much thought to, in the first place. they may make their living a bit easier than you - but your ability to roll with the punches gives you a more grounded existence and hell! its only money.

one thing I do know is that if you don't perform regularly in front of audiences - you lose the edge - that sparkle of confidence that lets the audience feel secure.