Don't feel too bad, Rick. From what I gather, no place HERE pays anything like they did ten or twenty years ago, either (here being, at least, Milwaukee, WI, USA).

For "folk" or acoustic acts, especially at coffeehouses and other smaller venues, "the door" - often minus a few operating expenses- is the norm.

My "special friend" - gosh, what DOES one call them, these days? - used to play in Austin, Tucson, and such - fifteen years ago - and get paid enough to live on. When he moved here, and found the "going rate" was $30.00 a night, he pretty much gave up playing out.

campfire