Mike, I feel you. Spent many years playing all kinds of blues and I found it to be the most enjoyable "Feel" types of music there is, with so many variations, too. I never could understand when someone said they didn't like The Blues. To me it was like saying, I don't like feeling.

Rock, er, uh, Blues On!!!! (Think I'll go put on some Otis Rush.)

B

PS - On a point-specific note, I've always relied on The New Times and networking for getting projects together.

^^^^ This is how I get gigs. I'm in 3 reputable bands in town, and the "other" calls for gigs/subbing/lessons keep coming in without me doing any hustle work...my reputation precedes me. Plus, all of the groups I'm in have somebody booking for them, either agencies or somebody in the band who does it well, so the gigs are stable, varied, and worthwhile. I suppose I'm in a unique situation where I don't have to market myself at all, especially for not being in a band on the Top 40 charts. I feel blessed that I get to spend all of the hustle time raising my kids. When they hit grade school, though, and I do get to utilize all of the contacts I've made over the past 5 years, all I can say is "Look out Portland music scene!"...