I think it's important, at least for me, to choose the kind of venues that suit your style of playing.

My little niche is instrumental dinner music....I love doing this type of gig...play in the background, and pick pretty well what I want to play.

I don't do dances or weddings, except for the suppers, and I usually don't requests.

I also have my styles suited for this type of venue, don't have to play loud, and use an S900 which is light and easy to carry...speakers are small and light as well.

I'm picky about where I play, and it keeps the stress level way down, and I still do quite well financially.

Ian