Sad to say there always seems to be a bit of in fighting in this field and stuff done behind the scene that leaves you wondering

.

One of the bands that my brother plays with, was invited to play in a local festival (actually one of a number) and was told by the organizers they would be paid. When the smoke cleared, the out of town "name bands" were paid, but his band was not.

Eventually, after some teeth pulling, they did get their money, but as a possible result, they have not been on the lineup of any other local festival in the last two years.

They wondered perhaps because they play regular sessions in one of the local pubs and have a CD out, organizers felt they already had enough exposure or if demanding promised money, had made them somehow social parihas on the folk scene, despite their local loyal following.

Again this year, there is going to be a large Rootsfest here (information on another thread) and the group was promised a slot, but when the final decision was made, they were not included. However, another group he plays with, was selected and that group has never played any major festival or events before.

I think the first group he's in, would be considered semi-professional, as one or two of the members make their sole living as musicians, but I don't think they know where they fit in, in the grand scheme of things.