Welcome to the club. One of the things I always ask the folks that ask for freebees is what they do for a living. Then I inform them that I will perform for free when they come to my house and build my new garage for free, or mow my lawn, or whatever they do. The same rules apply to those asking for a discount. I tell them I'll give them the same discount they give me. When they tell me they're "Non-Profit" I usually respond by telling them I'm not.

Once in a while I was doing a freebee for the local VA Hospital, that was until I discovered they were paying a KJ guy I know $200 for three hours. The next time they asked, I said that I would do it for the same rate as the KJ - that was the last time I heard from them.

Of course, you always get requests from friends you have not seen in years to attend parties, and to please bring your gear. To those requests I merely tell them I'm booked to perform for another private, whether it's true or not. It's the most graceful way to bow out without offending anyone. Eventually, they get the hint, and some will actually offer to pay your normal rate and provide a meal to boot.

Don is right, We don't get any respect!" Well, dammit, I think we've earned it.

Gary