Nice rant. Ad welcome to the world of musicians. I had to pull the plug on my band's equipment in the middle of a dance one time until I got my money up front. I learned to get paid before the gig was up!

As to the present--the guys are right who say there's no percentage in a vendetta. Just learn from it.

In the planner's defense, you can imagine her position. I'm not saying it's the right one, but just think how she would have looked to her customers (and their guests) id you hadn't shown up. We all know that you would have showen up, but she doesn't know you. She does know that musicians are often . . . shall we say, a little drifty. And she was probably frantic when it was less than a week to go and you were out of pocket. It's not OK for her to recant on an implied contract, but at least understand that she probably wasnt' against you personally. Maybe that will at less lessen the sting.

Keep up the good work. You're an inspiration to all us old geezers, and we know you'll do well in the future. And one final little thing: be very cautious in lowering your tandard price. I'll bet she paid a fortune for flowers and useless crap like that, but people tend not to appreciate or respect the hours and years it takes to become a competent musician.

Slainte.