Round here, if you can get the band work, it doesn't pay much less than the solo stuff. Unless you are doing NH and the like. Vacation areas , especially in season, can afford a decent band.

I'm sorry, but it's still more of a calling than a job, for me... I'm happy taking a cut, to play with the kind of players we have round here. You punch up that Rock1 style, or Bossa3, and it's going to be the exact same parts it was yesterday, and the day before, and the day before...

I would fire any real player on the spot that was that robotic and predictable. Arrangers are a VERY poor substitute for GOOD players.