Florida used to be “For the newlyweds and nearly deads.” before central AC came around and started the building boom.

When DJs started taking the entertainment business in the youth bars, I made a choice to move to the retirement market. These people grew up when live bands were considered better than pre-recorded entertainment, and as you mentioned, it is a huge market.

Wherever you are, if you want to make a living playing music, play what is in demand most, and try to do it better than your competition.

I actually enjoy it more than the old singles bars (although when I was single, the youth market offered some stimulating after hours opportunities). The audience is more respectful, there are no barroom brawls, the gigs are shorter (3-4 hrs.), and usually earlier in the evening. Although I have to schlep gear every day, 2-3 gigs per week pay as much as the old 6 days in bars.

I never used Excel for gig playlists. It's not a bad idea though.

We have over 650 songs in our book, and I don't do set lists. I evaluate the audience, and how they are reacting to the song I'm playing, and then call the next song while we are playing the current one.

I have an old-fashioned, 3 ring loose-leaf binder with our songs listed in categories to help me out. Just the title, and temps under headings like slow, swing standards, hard rock, moderate rock, Caribbean, country, etc.

If I went Excel, I could add columns like date and artist so if someone comes up and asks for anything by The Temptaions, or from The 1990s, it would take less brain power.

But with over 650 songs, and 15-20 gigs per month, that would have to wait until we aren't as busy.

Notes

Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

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