Mm. But what Alan needs, from the sound of it, is the freelance's support: a good steady gig that can be the bread-and-butter, and which will allow him to build up the jam - folk club and pub performances - more leisurely. That's why I'm suggesting school gigs, if they're obtainable in Germany; if he can base a show on grammar, etc, that will be useful in learning, and at the same time have it funny and fun (and if, of course, there is an arts-in-schools programme in Germany), this might form such a base.