Yep, Mario, we are on the same page.

We do Elk's clubs in the slow season, sometimes Moose, we call them the Animal Clubs. We did Veteran's clubs in the past, but haven't done any for a few years. We do play almost once a month at the VA nursing home. I like that gig.

I've never played in a wedding band, but I have done a number of weddings in my career, and I know it pays well, and you have to be on top of your MC and music craft. I've done a few divorce parties, too.

A lot of musicians don't realize this:

We are hired entertainers, the audience is our customer. Although we should have a good time, we are not there to simply please ourselves.

Read the audience, and play the audience. Playing the audience means pacing the audience. What do they need right now? Another fast one? A slow song? Some talk on the mic? A special request? What else?

They want Brown Eyed Girl or Mustang Sally, give it your best performance. Songs that get requested often should be learned if you can cover them.

Watch and react. It's break time and they are having a blast. What do we do? Play through the break. Food is being served? Back off the volume and play gentle music.

Regular customer comes in, wait until he/she's comfortable, and play that song they always request and send it out to him/her.

Your job is to make the audience have a great time. Be nice and be cheerful to everyone, play what they need, keep that smile on your face, and you will get repeat work.

One more thing, be flexible. Everything changes, be adaptable. Survival doesn't go to the fittest, it goes to those who can adapt to the changes.

IMO, it's so much better than working a wage-slave day job and gigging once every great while as an artist for short money.

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

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