Conrad, apart from lacking any understanding of the economics of running an event, you appear not to understand the nature of the market for folk music.

If I understand your point correctly, you are suggesting that folk musicians should perform for free at festivals in order to generate more paid "private" work. I don't know about the US, but here in the UK "private" work means mainly weddings, parties and school PTAs. There are very few opportunities for singers in this market, the work is mainly for dance bands. Also, the audience is quite different and is mainly made up of people who aren't folkies but want something different - a ceilidh/barn dance is a good mixer for people of all ages.

Most performers, and especially most professionals, prefer to play to an audience which understands and appreciates the music. These audiences are found at festivals, which over here have taken over from folk clubs as the main venues. Most people are very happy to pay to see good-quality performers, and the price of most festivals represents incredible value for money when you consider the number and variety of artists they put on.

Your problem, and it is a consistent theme through all your postings, is that you don't want to pay for the things you enjoy, so you expect others to give them to you for nothing. Get real.