Losing this job is not a concern, but converting the pay scale from $150.00 a night to $75.00 is. There is a fine Italian restaurant in town. My friend George, who passed away last year, worked it for years.
I substituted for him often when he was sick. I let him keep the $150.00, because he needed it more than I did. The place was sold to new investors, and a kid who plays bad sax over bad sequences offered to do the job for $75.00. That is now the house rate. They get desperate, crap players who fight over the gig. The little dufus sax player has basically ruined the gig for good players. I think that's a shame. I have a standing offer for $100.00 for 2 hours there (that way, I could make a later job), and I won't do it. The new owners have offered me that because the patrons of this place are also patrons of the place I worked for 14 years and often ask if I work there anymore. Again, it's not ability that matters here, but price and draw power, and I know that at a restaurant, that's good business. Entertainment draw is not as important at a venue known primarily for food.

I just hate to see people in a business I love beg. That lowers the standard and the earnings for everyone.


Russ