MAB, in reference to the clients you have been working with; I can't help but feel they were really lucky to have met you. Even if they will never stick with it to improve and move on to the next level or not; at least they have valid information to concider beyond just their desires and some families comments.
Mercy, I don't know if everyone realizes how valuable your service is. You tell it like it is and don't sugar coat anything. Oh, you don't tell anyone what they want to hear just for the sake to drag them along as a client. When they end their first Tour with you they have to decide if they want to do the work necessary to fulfill their dreams and pursue trying to become either a performing artist or a much better songwriter.
S.O.B. I can't express how valuable that is to everyone because even if your truth about reality in the music business causes them to give up and quit, you have saved them a ton of money and a lot of time making mistakes until they figured it out on their own.
I know I often come across to some as bragging on your teaching service too much and sounding like I have some sort of "Bromance" going on with you; but I only approach it as someone that knows exactly how people get caught up in their dreams when there talents aren't there; and in some cases never will be. To me, once they realize that if they choose to continue spending time and money to get better at performing or songwriting, that is fine. At least they know not to spend their sole efforts on a dream that will never pay off.
In my case, I knew I didn't have the skills and talent to become a performer but I thought maybe I could learn how to become a Nashville songwriter. Once you helped me realize I needed a lot of work (which I wasn't willing to do) I was happy to work you with just to become a better songwriter. That's all you promised me and that's exactly what I was able to achieve.
Anyway, it sounds like there will be a constant flow of people wanting to fulfill their dream, they are lucky if they find you to help them reach that level or be able to accept just becoming better than they were before meeting you. Most may be tempted to fall prey to scrupulous people that will take their money and encourage them to continue knowing they don't have a chance in hell. I would probably be one of those scrupulous people. Ha!!!
OD