I forgot about all those years in the restaurant/lounge scene. Job security was always the carrot, but some change is inevitable...they just didn't want to have to pay the price of a 1-nighter.

Believe it or don't, but I actually had one restaurant owner who would tack on an "entertainment charge" for parties that came in as a large group and put it in my cup, knowing I would have to cater to them more than the general public. I never solicit tips...but the owner often did, on my behalf. That was truly a rare case.

So, its not all bad news.

How about travel? Do you charge for it? Most of my work is within a 30 mile radius. Outside of that boundry I try to adjust the fee to reflect time and travel. Sometimes it even works.

90% of the private jobs are all under written contract. Restaurant/Lounges in these parts will not sign...but I don't have the steady kind of time they want anyway because most of the private jobs are booked up to a year in advance which automatically takes me out of the R/L circuit on weekends and many weekdays.

Eddie