I think the agent is just being realistic. many major artists ask support acts to pay for the privilege of borrowing their audience.

This man is trying to break into a market that is already flooded with 1960's survivors and their offspring. He's trying to break into what is virtually a closed shop. Good luck to him.

Most folk musicians desirous of a working career eventually just give the folk business a bodyswerve, its too much of a closed shop and if you have the talent, there are always other ways to work and buy the instruments that your calling requires.

This man is just embracing the cruel facts. I imagine this sits uncomfortably with the sycophants of the folk aristocracy, who insist everything in the garden is fair - but I think its pretty much how it is, how its been for a while in fact.

Personally i wish his enterprising approach every success.