Tonight I will play my third job since "retiring" from my teaching position of 10 years. Gulp. Funny, I never thought ten years could go so fast, or that I'd miss performing as much as I did. I never stopped my live work, but I di turn down a lot of work during the school week, so summer was my "go to" time for the last decade. As it turns out - that SAME summer deal was my first "gig" in my new chapter as full timer again. It's in my blood ... in my soul ... hope I can still make it fill my pockets! LOL
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Wish me luck, mates!

Best to you Dave, enjoying what you do is the ideal job to have.
Lloyd

Good luck Dave, give em hell as long as you can!!

Enjoy the retirement, Dave. I did a marina job this past Saturday, one that I promised last summer, played 4 hours, and after 4 hours, someone had to help me get to the van with my gear. Gettin old ain't fer wimps and sissies.

All the best,

Gary

Wow Dave! I remember when you just took that teaching job. As I get older (66) the years just seem like they go by so quickly. We've been around this discussion forum for over 20 years now. Unbelievable! My wife would like me to retire soon but I'm still having too much fun selling arranger keyboards. Wishing you all the best!

UD ... continue making beautiful music and the 'gigs' will come your way ... along with the 'redheads' ...

My sign-up date shows 1999, but we were on the original arranger forum and before than the Technics Canada forum.
Dave, you just have to hustle the jobs. They are there! You'll do fine. Only advice: NEVER play cheap. Once you play for too little money everyone thinks that's your price. Charge more than everyone else; you are worth it!

Don, I hear ya! Best advice I ever got was to make sure I LOOSE a few gigs each year because of price. I sell my product for what I'm worth, and I work my tail off for it. I booked two private parties from people that came in to see me at the shore just this week ... I'm back, baby.

when you sit home what do you make ?.."0" but when you play out even at a few bucks less you always have a chance for people to see you and ask for business cards, or even book you for much more down the road, ...be thankful you can play music and earn I say..hey you can have a "REAL" job YUK!!

I have never, ever, played at an "introductory" price and later got more money from the same place.
Maybe your experience is different.

sometimes people have a budget they have to work with especially for private jobs, accommodating them in some way always leads to better things in the future in many ways..

Both answers are good,but to play for a reduced amount simply to line managements pockets is a fools game. If you play for a needy NH with little funds,however, I have done this many times. The bigger ones can screw off.

Good luck Dave. Hope it goes well for you.

I taught high school half time this past year and tried to play a few gigs as well during the week...got really burned out.

My wife is encouraging me to try to make a go of it in music. Of course the good part is my music income is extra and I don't need it to live on.

I've always depended on my music income, even with the school check, but now, after June 30th - no more checks. YIKES?
Naw ... I'm confident that the work will come. It always has in the past, and I'm kinda used to eating everyday, so ... I'll make it happen!
Not worried at all. Well, maybe a little.

Dave, if I were as healthy as you, I would not even hesitate. When I first met you those many years ago, you were playing at Adam's Ribs on the Jersey Shore, and working in, I believe, your sister's book store. Back then, you were worried, too, about getting enough jobs to make a living. Well, we all did, but everything seems to have worked out for both of us.

Now, with all the new assisted living, nursing homes, retirement communities and senior centers in your area, if you wished, you could easily work 7 days a week, 2 jobs a day. I know, you would rather play the clubs, but as you are well aware, they pay the same as they did 50 years ago. The NH circuit is still the best deal around for working entertainers/musicians. Drumming up these jobs is easy, especially for a person with your talents and abilities. Keeping up with such a demanding schedule is the hard part.

Good luck, old friend,

Gary

Dave, I KNOW you could get a Nursing home gig in Kentucky, because that's where your little red headed (now grey) "filly" now lives.

No kidding, you got it. You're certainly at the top of the players here.

You'll miss the kids, but there are many ways to volunteer to help the musically gifted in the world.

Knock "em" dead at whatever you do.

And, it goes without saying, you;re welcome here for an extended stay, anytime.


Russ

Thanks everyone for the encouragement ... I'm really VERY ready to dive in head first, as I always do. In fact in the first week back, I booked two private parties from people who saw me at two other affairs (a benefit of working clubs), so I'm off to a great start. Summer is booked solid, and I'll start addressing the fall in a week or so. I want to enjoy my pool a little!
And Gary ... the NH circuit is definitely on my call list. I already have a few booked in the coming months.
I'm even thinking of getting a PA4x ... although I don't love the idea of a "silent slab" instrument. I'm so spoiled by on board monitors .... so much to ponder.