Yes, Les. I've never had a non-friendly relationship with a venue. I've one or two, over the years that made me "wipe the dust from my sandals" so to speak, and decide not to return ... but that is extremely rare.

Usually, when there's a bump in the road of contract issues, you discuss those issues and sort out an reasonable answer. For CD sales, since that is what we've been discussing - if I did have a venue that really wanted me to perform and they had a NO SALES policy for some good reason, I would play the event if they were willing to adjust my fee accordingly.

I find that my best interest and the best interest of the venue pretty typically the same. We both need to "win" if the evening is to be successful. If I am profitable and they are not, I cannot feel the evening was a success - if only for the self-interest reason that I know that venue won't continue to operate if they don't meet the financial needs. Now, some venues are OK with a level of loss at each show - but most know exactly what they need to cover an operational and, hopefully a growth model. They know their goals, their needs and their audience. That is why I am most inclined to follow their lead - assuming they offer an attractive package.