Since we're not full-time musicians, we all have other sources of income, so we're not dependent on the money. And since I'm the one doing all the booking, publicity, web maintenance, personnel issues, scheduling, cd sales, etc. I pick and choose the gigs I like that fit into our life. As a result, I've turned down many gigs that happened when Frank (husband) and I were planning to go to a festival or other event, even ones we had done in previous years. I've also effectively turned down private party gigs by making the price too high, when the occasion didn't look like something that would be a good fit for us. And I've turned down bar gigs and background music gigs. Been there, don't need to do that anymore.

Some of these refusals, by the way, do not make other members of the band happy, but then all they have to do is show up and play music. The booking, publicity, personnel, web, cd etc job is always up for bids...

The good thing about turning down gigs (aside from the personal empowerment) is that I get the chance to steer some gigs to friends who have done similar favors for us. That is very gratifying and also a good thing for the friends and works for the promoter as well.