I post this for thought. I dont have a problem with professional folk musicians. They are needed, need good wages and loads of support of all kinds.

However, recently I was looking into costs of folk music conventions.
3-400 dollars for a few days and that is advance registration. No room, no travel, no food.

I note that on face book musicians seem to regularly fly cross country.
Yes they need to follow the work and go places to make a living however....

Should a folk musician that travels more than the average person or can afford to attend expensive far away conferences, put out a tip jar?

Is this why - this added cost- why there are fewer venues and costs for those attending- the price of beer is getting prohibitive?

Just a quest for input. Ideas. Have any? Not picking on anyone just wondering.

I do realize that travel and conferencing have benefits - so do internet conferences and chat rooms and bulletin boards.

Don't know....just starting out on this quest for illumination.
Yes sora wish I could go to more conferences and attend more concerts but I can barely live with my cd purchase budget and can not afford travel and am stuck with cheap beer at retail prices.

Should folk musicians refuse to play where prices are ripping people off and keeping many locked out?

The world of wonder awaits your comment and creativity.
Remember- there is nothing wrong with Pro. folk musicians or for that matterr perhaps, bank executives.

Conrad