Bob,

While I truly love a good waitstaff and proud to say I over tip accordingly I have to respectfully disagree with comparing the value (or pay plan) of a wait staff with that of a quality musician. Especially when you think of what a good performing musician has to do to keep themselves relevant at the top of their game. To mention a few, always striving to learn new material plus the hours away from the gig practicing, while not even factoring in the cost and maintenance of instruments and gear.

For these reasons alone I can't see how they should be hired on the same pay plan or scale. Pay the musician a decent wage for the gig upfront, not a promise of what they can make if they are special, because if they don't deliver they won't be there long anyway. In reverse try cutting a deal with the restaurant on the price of your meal being next to nothing, but if you really like it you will pay a higher price.

PS: The musician in my aforementioned example had worked that same gig for 5 years, so while I have never seen his show I am guessing the restaurant's clientele must have liked what he was doing to keep him there for that long.

Take Care and Keep Gigging (well when we can again)

Danny C.
www.dannycampo.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Danny-Campo/379776252109306?skip_nax_wizard=true

The More You Drink The Better I Sound