Good luck Marion. I have followed your posts with interest for a couple of years now.
I remember back in 1979 when my best friend told me that if I did not at least give it a go, I would one day be asking myself, "Could I have done it?" I said there and then that I would give in my notice the next morning. I woke up thinking,"Oh God what have I done!" But I went ahead and did it anyway.
If Rick says you are ready, I can say without any doubt that you are a far more accomplished player than I was at the time. I was twenty-three then and I went to Cologne for the first time. It took me about six weeks to learn how to pull crowds and then it was into the craft of learning how to work them and make them want to pay.
I wish I could see you working. If you ever plan a visit to this continent, please PM me so that I can make all the information and help I can offer available to you.
Good luck with it.
                  Alan.