Bill, a lot of the clubs are going to earlier hours here as well. I believe the strategy behind this is that they can hold the dinner folks for a few extra hours, during which time they buy lots of mixed drinks, which provide a higher profit margin than beer. Just saw on Bar Rescue where the profit margin on draft beer is about 28 percent whereas mixed drinks provide a 34 percent profit margin. The food itself is only about 15 to 20 percent profit because of the labor intensity to produce the product and the cost of the kitchen itself, which is insanely high.

When I was playing in Myrtle Beach three years ago, the lady at the yacht club restaurant didn't want me to leave, but as you know, it gets damned cold in Myrtle Beach in January. I played a happy hour for her that began at 6 p.m. and was only supposed to play till 8, but as the night progressed, she had me stay an extra 2 hours because the crowd was still there from dinner. The pay was lousy, just $150 for the 4 hours, but I made another $200 in tips, so I was a happy camper. I ended up staying 3 days, then moved south, got hung up with Hurricane Sandy and ended up playing a 5 day Hurricane Party at Osprey Marina. It was a tips only job, but the hurricane party folks turned out to be good tippers, which is usually the case with vagabond boaters headed south for winter.

I'm so glad that things are working out for you in the sunny south, and from my perspective, arranger keyboard players in that part of the world, as well as here in Maryland, have an edge over the have guitar will travel guys by a long shot. Having been a have guitar will travel guy at one time, I know that I was never able to provide the entertainment variety and diversity the audiences demanded. I'm confident that as time goes on, you will find more work than you can possibly handle down there. You are a very talented player and entertainer, which I sincerely believe is the key ingredients to success in this facet of the musical entertainment world.

Good luck,

Gary