As I said above, I've never encountered any of this in the folk world. People who book and pay are honest and straightforward. But - in a few previous incarnations not in the folk world - I have encountered some difficult times.

I recall playing at a private party - just playing guitar as a stand-in in a rock'n roll band - in an outfit run by a very tough bass player. The gig ended and there came the familiar words about a 'cheque in the post' (when we'd been promised COD). The bassist said calmly, "If you don't pay us now, I'm driving my Land Rover into your conservatory." The cash was duly paid - and the bassist drove his Land Rover into the conservatory anyway - just to teach him a lesson...