Russ, My mom has been in an assisted living center for a year and a half now. They take very good care of her. I have no complaints. I play there once a month free of charge.

I have started playing other senior centers and nursing homes. For these I do charge. I get 75 dollars for an hour show. My time is valuable, I could be spending it with my wife or grandchildren. There is the expense of gas and vehicle maintainence and equipment costs etc.

There are many volunteers who also play these places and it is fine with me that they bring a little joy to the residents. If they want to play for free that's fine. It is just that with the exception on mom's place I won't.

It is different for me because I'm not making my living as a musician. If I were I probably would begrudge those that play for free.

Tom