Oh I tend to think that asking for a gig is a bit vulgar. I'm sorry that what follows may sound a bit conceited. But I can't tolerate this Princess Pushy stuff any more.

We usually wait until someone asks us. I do however get a bit pissed off at the "Loved your singing, if you do a free support slot for (insert national name) then we'll give you a real gig the year after" - and then, like jam for tea, the year after never comes. And the "I've been watching you for 3 years and you get better every year - would you like a gig at our club?" followed by - "Here's a flyer (stating a location about 80 miles away) come and see us on a club night and we'll talk about it".

These remarks are typified and do not refer to any specific club. No reference to any specific club should be inferred.

Do I want to be "professional in my attitude"? NO. I prefer my folk song singing to be (as I would a girlfriend) amateur, not as a prostitute. I still want to get it right - but that is about perfectionism, not more.