I, too have been around long enough to see the transition between tuxes and what people wear today. I've seen jam sessions degenerate from a function of learning and respect to a chance for anyone with an instrument to play with a band.

Since I play dining rooms and patio's mostly, my challenge is people who come up to me in mid-tune and want to talk for 3 minutes...sometimes even thru a vocal.

Women come up and want to lay a big old smooch on my cheek mid-tune (now that can either be good or really bad LOL).
Sadly, politeness and appreciation are often forgotten.

Part of the problem around here was the availability of restaurant/bar licenses. Now, anyone who claims 50% of sales and at least 75 seats can get a very cheap bar license. Before, you had to pay market price for one of a limited number of licenses...usually, more than $75,000.00.

Now, every little restaurant has a microphone and what seems like 100's of kids competing for a $50.00 a night job.

In these places, cheap music is part of the background. No money, respect or appreciation.


Russ