A different view, my thoughts:

1-I was born in 1931, so I understand poverty. Better said, the value of money.

2-I had to decide how I would support my wife and four children.

3-Music was part of me. At age eight my father would play the piano and I would sing. This was done every time we had guest come to visit.

I wanted to go out and play music, but I did not want to fall under the cover of having my music career controlled by dollars. I did not want to play a job that I hated to do – because of money. The money I made with music was extra, over and above what I needed to support my family.
I became a guitar teacher, and music money was the extra.
I opened a music store/school, and the music money was the extra.
When I moved to Florida in 1984, I moved into my Dad’s trade, piano tuning, and the music money was the extra. I did not want dollars to interfere with my love of music.

I moved into the catering area of entertainment; it paid the most money, but after every job I was unemployed. I enjoyed my music career, it was fun to see people who came to have a good time, leave singing and feeling good.

The way got jobs in N.H. was simple. I offered to play for two jobs, if they liked what they heard I wanted to be paid. If they did not like what they heard, I was ready to leave the music business. Because of the freedom I gave myself I was able to enjoy what I loved so much, performing with my music.

I hope I have helped some of the musicians here, John C.
PS, and if the above did not work --- I would have become a plumber. (smile)