I was asked to play at a bluegrass festival in Anderson, Alaska for the last weekend of July coming up. They offered free admission and $40 which is not even enough to pay for the fuel to drive to the place. Shortly after I turned them down, I was asked to perform at a fair in Delta Junction, Alaska for the same weekend. They offered a plane ticket to Fairbanks, a rental car for me to drive to the fair and have for the weekend, lodging in a hotel in town and $400 bucks on top of it all. Needless to say, I certainly was glad to have turned down the bluegrass folks.

Money is not always a concern for me, in fact I perform many shows throughout the year for no fee and still do pretty good with CD sales, but I've gotten pickier over the last few years. Will the gig interfere with my need for a periodic fishing trip. Does the gig provide decent beer and food. Is it a campout or is there a bed to sleep on. Who is the audience and what are the chances for sales. These are some of the things that I use for decision making. Since I'm a solo act, I don't have to run the offer past anyone but myself.

Mike