In my case, I'm asked to do the majority of the society gigs around here. The rest are restaurant and jazz gigs. I've been working here (Lexington) over 45 years. No one hires me without knowing what I do. I politely turn down jobs where the fit isn't right.

Restaurants pay $150.00, but lead to lots of $250 plus gigs.

I honor requests that fit the format of the event and my style. That means no Jimmy Buffet but any jazz standard. Buffet just wouldn't fit the venue(s). I'd please one person and piss off lots of others.

This works for me. I turn down more gigs a year than I take.


Russ