When writing a contract for a playing job I ask the following questions.
1-How many people will be attending?
2-What will be the major ethnic groups?
3-Are there any favorite songs?
4-Are there any anouncements you wish me to make?
I tell them that it is sometimes difficult to judge the volume of my instruments, so please let me know. I do let them know that I am good at reading the audience, and konwing what to play, and when.

I want them to know that I will be in charge. Most times when I have allow them to lead the job, it fails, it goes poorly.

I have had the person who hired me give me a step by step, hour to hour written schedule they wanted me to follow. I agree, but unless there is something special, I nornally will not follow a schedule, it is the audience, and the dancers that create my schedule.

This may sound like a no,no, but when I see that the song or type of dance is not going over to well, I will make start a new song and beat, even if I am in the middle of a song.

Well, it's always nice talking about myself. it brings back many nice memories.It would be nice to read more about, how you do it, how do you run your job.

John C.