Don ir right on...rates are similar for this area. Top players get $150.00 for upscale restaurant work...adequate players get $100.00 for rgular jobs and the bottom feeders try to steal jobs at a rate of $75.00. Corporate jobs ar $300-500.00. I don't do assisted living jobs, but recently, an activities director was visiting the restaurant I play most frequently and asked if I would play for the residents. She said they pay $150.00. I assume that is for an hour or two.

As for travel, I don't charge for travel in this county or to three small towns within 15 miles. My most frequent out-of town job is 250 miles away. I charge 35 cents a mile and $25.00 an hourfor travel. The four hour job takes me a total of 10 hours. It's a bank holding company in Indiana, and they have no problem with the price. Total compensation for the 10 hour day is $650.00. After the cost of travel, that's not excessive. That probably would be way too much for an out-of-town restaurant, but corporate clients know the value of time, so it's not a problem.

Keep on "pickin" and grinnin"...and have a fabulous holiday!


Russ