First gig was when i was 16 playing my Red Farfisa Compact and Fender Bassman amp.
Had my five piece band of friends called the Dynamics . Someone's relative got us the gig. Were driven and hour to the Pine Barrens of Southern NJ to a place called Racs' Hut. Set us up in a side dining room cause we were too young to play in the bar. On one of our breaks the waitress brought us pizza. I thought "This is a great job"! End of the night, you guessed it, didn't get paid. The owner said it was an "audition" A month later the relative felt bad and slipped us $5 each saying he had "talked" to the owner but we knew it was from him.
Difference today, no one cares if I bring a keyboard or not, Farfisa or 5K Yamaha or Audaya or what ever. Its all DJ's and Kareoke, Even taking over the NH. Club owners are still horse's a**s and worse given the economy.
Some larger bands play some bigger venues but that is just a few.
In between then and now I've done well going from the Farfisa to a full blown Hammond multi keyboard setup to portable keys to my current G1000. I also do have an XK3 and piano for jams.

Doc Z --Tell me where they pay solo keyboard guys 1000 to 1500 a night and I'm moving there. HA!
No really, we're looking to move so TELL ME !!!

Bill in NJ

[This message has been edited by Bill Lewis (edited 11-10-2010).]