Some breaks just happen - right place at the right time. Most "breaks" are made - One guy I know got called an "overnight sensation" a while ago. We were joking about that review a few weeks later and agreed that the night that it was "over" lasted about 15 years....

As far as "payola" goes - you bet - We gave shirts and cd's to the sound and light crew that worked our show last Saturday AND to the booking manager for the group that hosted us.

Pete