The vast majority of my income is from playing out and I rarely do any freebies. I agree to do one a year for a group that hires me monthly all year long...but it is an annual benefit for a good cause and I am happy to do it.

The problem with freebies is, if you do it for one, you can expect more requests for freebies and you are less likely to get the respect you would as a paid entertainer.

If I was just starting out, I would make concessions...but once established, I don't recommend doing much gratis work, unless it is a thank you for a very good employer or a benefit that you believe in.

Eddie