This is probably the worst time to try to make a living as a folkie. That doesn't mean it can't be done.

You have to be your own promoter, publicist and manager. You have to make one deal for a concert at a time. You have to either be willing to travel or play for little money. You have to find out what works for you individually because it may not work for anyone else.

You have to decide what it means to be a folkie.

CD's don't mean much any more. You Tube is a better vehicle for gigs. Or live DVD's.

You have to be ready to pay the psychic costs for being a performer. It's not as romantic as you think it would be. On the road, bad food, health issues, expenses associated with travel and lodging become highly important problems.

You have to find your niche. In this way, many will not know who you are nationally.

Fame generally finds you rather than you finding it.

Fame doesn't always translate into making money.

You have to study hard. Guitar, or any instrument, voice, performance techniques, songwriting (if that's what you do) just like an actor does. You kinda' have to train like an athlete. Even with all of this, you may not wind up where you thought you would be in a career.

You need to really know what you're doing. If you sing folk songs, know everything there is to know about the songs you sing historically, musically, vocally etc. If you write songs, they better be the kind that others will want either to hear more than once or sing themselves.

If you are a soloist, be prepared to be alone and like it. If you are in a group, it's like a marriage without any of the benefits. It's usually a temporary marriage, too.

You have to schmooze plenty with those who hire you. How far you want to go with this differs from gig to gig. (I am not willing to drink or smoke dope with anyone).

Luck plays an important role because unlike going to med or law school, you can make all the right moves and still be unsuccessful.

The best question would be:How can you be the best folkie you can be?

Stringsinger