Bill, nursing home performance prices vary considerably, depending on the area where the venue is located. As it turned, the mid-Atlantic region was the highest paying area in the US, while the lowest paying venues were the southeastern US states. Northeastern US states and mid-western US states payed about 25 percent less than my area, with some exceptions. The Northwest paid about the same as the northeast states.
When I first began performing the NH circuit, I was getting $50 an hour, which was about the same as I could hope for providing a 4-hour performance at a nite club including tips. When I announced on this forum that I was thinking about raising my rates, most everyone here said I would lose jobs. Ironically, I actually booked twice as many jobs when I went to $100 per hour. I guess the ADs thought I was really, really good because I cost twice as much as the competition. A few years later, I raised my rates to $125 an hour - again, the number of jobs increased, and some that I had to turn down because of scheduling conflicts offered $150 if I would consider doing a double.
Additionally, I became the go to guy when the senior facilities held their special events, strawberry festivals, rose festivals, etc... On top of these, each facility usually held a family day, during which time they also held their corporate party on site. I was usually booked for both at my top rate and they frequently lasted more than 2 hours.
Now, I agree that no one in a nite club or restaurant wants to see some grey or white haired old man sitting at an arranger keyboard playing music. Don't know if you remember, but when you met me here at the Synthzone Jam, my hair was medium brown. The reason behind this was an easy choice for me. I had senior venues and nite clubs that would not hire me when when I had white hair, which I had by age 30. I solicited the assistance of Garnier Nutruese #60 (acorn color), applied it for 8 minutes then showered. The result was a medium brown color that even the lady that cut my hair at Great Clips thought it was my natural color, which it was when I was in my mid 20s. A year later went back to the same locations and booked jobs at every one of them. Appearance makes a huge difference. Yes, age discrimination exists, especially in the entertainment field.
Along those lines of appearance, I always figured that I should look better and dress snappier than the competition. This too, worked to my benefit. I wore bright colored, satin shirts, a matching tie, cuff links, tie chain, kept my hair neatly trimmed, wore shiny shoes and black, dress slacks. I also wore a very, very fancy silk vest. The ladies loved they way I looked, I got hit on by ladies ranging from age 30 to 90, which was flattering, and the ADs all said they had nothing but good things to say about both my performances and the way I conducted business.
I agree that most of the restaurants and clubs no longer have live music, and instead, they often purchase an online music package that is played through a house system. IMO, this is a big mistake on their part and not conducive to luring customers to their place of business. In contrast, DonM is a classic example of what a great entertainer can do for a business. On nights when Don was no longer performing at Ernest's Restaurant, mainly because of health issues, business dropped off by a considerable margin. When he returned, the crowds returned and revenue increased.
I don't blame nite club and restaurant owners for no longer having live music - it's a business decision and you need to sell a huge number of additional drinks just to hit the break even point to pay the entertainer his $150 fee. The only way to convince them otherwise would be to do a half-price job and have a couple dozen followers show up that night. At the very least, you would be working that night, but not for the pay you had hoped for. A best case scenario would be that you end up with a long-term, higher-paying job.
Hope this helps,
Gary
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