One or two nice replies in here.
Try catching up on Vin's life 40 years of anonimity.
Life is relatively bit more comfortable than those days of sleeping on peoples couches, especially when they kept him talking til 3 in the morning and going from Leeds (say) to Sidmouth the next night knocks the shit out of you even if you're a fit 20/ 30 something.
Unfortunately , I think you might have to measure success against two different levels ie people who seem to make a living out of Folk Clubs and concerts, and, those who used to make a living out of the same but moved on, Barbara Dickson, Billy Connolly, Mike Harding etc.
In concluding ,Vin's wife - Pat works her bloody socks off - even though Vin has an agent to organise bookings which might be the earlier referred - Marketing.
The final thought Vin and Martin Carthy (and others?) don't drive so THAT'S another huge complication.
Sounds like an idyllic life going round the country singing your songs , collecting your fee at the end of the night, but Jeez - it's a hard game which demands 101% dedication.