Fine, fine. I've toured for over 35 years and I was doing house concerts before they were cool (late 50's on). The problem I see here is the typical one ... how does this thing pay for itself? Great, you have a free (?) place to sleep and a meal or two (perhaps), but gas, repairs, strings, etc. add up quickly.

I'd suggest regional shows first - ie. London or CT or TX or NY. That way, any "Catter's into the idea could plan the trip and the show to cover a wider audience of "relativly local" folks. I'm not saying this can't work, but it will take pains to pull it off.

The one thought I think has been left out is the "weight" of Mudcat itself. How many of us are there? Where are they exactly? Who knows where (in each possible location) a club might just want to accept a small herd of performers for cash, based on the Mudcat reputation? Who'll contact the club?

And, the only times I've seen a split bill fail miserable-like is when the performers fail to measure up in the "make friends" or "be good" and "be prepared" departments. People are a lot more open than most people think.

Another way is to dig a little deeper into the promo department and ask 'Catter's to send a kit to one person who'll organize the lot and send a compilation to (here it comes) Agents. I think the novelty of it would sell with the right kind of effort.

The other way is the way it has worked for many of us: a 'Catter comes to town and we put 'em up the best we can and show 'em the local sites and introduce them to the available circle and play all night long if possible. I'm fond of this approach, by the way. It doesn't pay a cent, but it does wonders for the soul.