Whenever I play for free, it's because I want to:

a. Share my music with other people
b. Listen to music from other people
c. Play with other people
d. Learn from other people
e. Teach other people
f. Have FUN!

I've also made good money from playing music - and still do so - in bands. As long as people get married, have parties, put on functions and want music for all these activities and others, then there's money to be made for those who actively want it and can actively do it.

So I get the best of both worlds. Others perhaps choose to stay in world or the other.

One of the things I used to do when I was playing more full-time than I do now - and not in the folk world either - was to go to what are known as "showcases" in the entertainment world. If you're not familiar with the showcase concept, it goes thus:

Various acts, at the behest of their respective agents, turn up to a roomful of potential bookers who have been wined and dined by a roomful of agents. Therefore people potentially "buying" and other people hoping to "sell" their product. These were the most boring musical days - and you have to be there for a day - I ever encountered when working professionally. All the agents jockeyed to get their particular act on at a favourable time of the day; endless hanging around; prima donnas by the dozen; backbiting, nagging. All for 15 minutes of self-advertising.

Believe me, compared with that, turning up to play for nowt at an open mic or a folk club or at a session - or even a festival - is great fun!