Larry, my friend. You really need to learn to separate the business of making music from making music with friends. And remember, on the business side the old "feel bad" syndrome must subdue itself to the needs of the business. The very idea of you having to busk to pay some vultures is fucking ludicrous. Don't you see that you care about it more than they do. I have a rule ......... when I care about you more than you care about you, time for you to go. I think the original suggestion was the best. Anyone who left me over money and then came back and bitched when I didn't take them to a paying gig, I would simply not call back. Don't you see old friend? They see you as so desperate that they can take advantage of you and you will suck into it so deeply that you are willing to do what they wouldn't, namely go busk to pay them.

Go solo and hire when you need a gig filled. And hire only what you need for the music. Putting eight people on stage when you need four is lunacy and very poor economic policy for you. If they weren't there for the struggle, to hell with them during the payday.

Just one working stiffs opinion. I wish you were here, a cara, because you wouldn't need to worry about the guitar player.

Mick