I'm worried about that too, but I'm never had paid gigs in this state and based on the politics, I probably never will anyway just because they don't let new people in unless someone dies or something.

That's true although one gig isn't going to make a difference. What I really need to do is to find a way to get paid to play around where I live instead of driving 3 hours one way just to get paid to play, but like I said before, the politics are such that you have no chance unless you've been in the area for a long time. I've only been here for four years.

I don't know. I don't really communicate with other people who play my instrument in the area. I'd feel bad sending someone to a gig with a two hour round trip with no pay anyway. I don't really know the people from the other city who would be closer.

I think it would pretty much be a toss up; they'd both be fun. For the paid one, I'd be the center of attention and for the unpaid one, I'd just be in the background.

I would rather just stick with the commitment I've already made, but whenever I think about turning the paid gig down, I just think "But…MONEY" and feel kinda dumb turning it down. I just don't want to make the wrong decision or for other people in my life to think I made the wrong decision.