Mark, don't knock the "old guys" - I resemble that remark! Keep in mind there's a reason they were booked, and there's also a reason someone else was not. It could have been financial, but I doubt it. I'm confident these individuals have been around for quite a few years, have a good following, and at one point they were probably one of the top, local, entertainment groups in the immediate area. Those groups tend to fall apart, eventually, and they tend to repeat acts that were successful in the past. Also, because music represents just a small portion of their overall income, those groups rarely practice, and even more rarely put fresh, new material into their performances. They still got the job, though, probably because the alternative was even less appealing.

Most of the summer festivals, at least in my area, are not worth going attending. They usually feature some relatively young bands that only play one kind of music. The singers are essentially screamers that couldn't carry a note in a 5-gallon bucket, and the musicians tend to play at ear-bleed volumes through a sound system that is ancient and overloaded to the point where every instrument is distorted. For the life of me, I don't know why people bother to attend, let alone shell out some hard-earned dollars to listen to them.

In contrast, I frequently attend performances by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Dorsey Brothers Band, and other big band concerts that take place at Harford Community College each year. They're usually sold out several months in advance. The younger players range in age from late 50s to early 70s, while the senior players are in their early 80s. They all play strictly from sheets, the music is absolutely incredible, and after a two-hour performance, no one wants them to stop. They have a lead vocalist, a relatively young lady, probably in her mid-50s, who has the voice of an angel. Their male vocalist is in his mid 40s, and his vocal quality is second to none, better, IMO, than Sinatra by a long shot.

Now, none of the musicians is being artistic during a performance, but you can bet your bottom dollar they would love to be at times. They play every song by the book, exactly as that song was written by the composer, note for note. The vocals are performed identically to those performed by others more than 70 years ago. I can attest first hand that when you're sitting in that audience and the band fires up with Moonlight Serenade, In The Mood, etc..., you feel it all the way to your soul.

From my point of view, this is an example of when great music and great entertainment comes together, which is something that rarely seems to take place anymore. As you and others well know, I pretty much have switched to strictly playing the NH circuit, but I still perform occasionally at restaurants, and Tiki Bars while vacationing in the Florida Keys. I work very hard at being the best musician/entertainer I can possibly be, and I guess that's why I'm turning down jobs while others are struggling to get one or two jobs a week.

Am I in the musical entertainment business for the money? To some extent, yes. Over the years I've managed to make a fairly decent living, raise a couple children, buy a nice house, buy several nice boats, and pretty much do all things I and my wife have wanted to do. I love my job, and while I've been in other professions, musical entertainment is the best and most rewarding occupation of my life. So, if you are even remotely thinking of getting out of music altogether, it's probably time to do so - but I also think you will probably regret making the move.

Good luck on whatever road you decide to take,

Gary