I have worked solo myself off and on but have another job so I can just take or leave gigs and I don't particularly haggle over the pay or chase after singing work. Lately I have been involved with I guess what would be the job of a manager (although I'm not getting paid for it - it's a favor to them) - getting a band from another area booked here locally while they will be passing through. They are excellent musicians and I would have thought with their credentials I'd have had no problem. It's a new group but each of the members is well respected in his field. I concur with what was said above - pub owners could care less about musicianship, quality, the fact that they can present something different - they are interested in nothing but the bottom line. How many people will the act draw and how little can they get away with paying. Concert organizers are a little different - but still the haggling, telephoning, sending demos, following up, etc. is a royal pain and I think a good manager or agent would be well worth the money!