Some additional thoughts on the audiences ..
.... I think the 'older' of us (I'm 61 yrs) grew up in an era when there were a lot of small combos (3-6 pcs) in clubs, playing the tunes of the day in their own style, and the audiences loved it, and did quite a bit of dancing .... today, that same audience, IF they are out at a 'club', is sitting there, talking about who died, their latest illness, the grandkids, etc. .... the younger audience is not going to dance unless the music they hear is the recording they are used to, the dance lights are flashing, and the decibel level is so high you can't think!!! ... come to think of it, the high volume gives them an excuse to get REALLY close to each other when they want to say something ..... my wife and I like to go out (when I'm not gigging), hear different groups and do some dancing, while many of our friends are in the category I spoke of earlier ...
but, as tough as it might be to please some audiences, I agree with Big Red, and I'm "not about to throw it all in just yet" ... so I keep looking for new (or different) material [latest concentration on some of the great Louis Prima stuff], and I thank GOD for the musical talent HE has given me, for I really believe it is one of the keys to my 'thinking young' ....
t.