[quote=Mark79100]Hi Bill,

I can�t believe you wrote that or was it another April Fool�s joke? I thought you were really refreshed in your new environment and looking forward to knocking them dead showing the folks down there what us Northerners can do.

Mark
No I'm not quitting just wanted to start a conversation among a group I feel is closest to my situation in the business. I'll keep going as long as I can find the right kind of gigs which is getting harder as I get older. I'm 65 but don't think I look it, and I know I don't act it but that ain't 40 or 30 or a 20 something which is what most of the working musicians here are. There's still the stigma of an older guy (me) walking into a place and asking for the mgr. to give him a card. Put yourself in his place and you know what he's thinking. I was treated so rudly at a place in Cape May I told the female mgr. "Do me a favor, don't throw my card away until I pull out of the lot"
I've hit the sweet spot of seniors here, Sun City, 8000 residents and they love me. I'm doing ever other Wed. at their CC restaurant. I just also am booking another CC that has the worst Karaoke host and singers I've ever seen for their only entertainment. I told them they need something else so we'll see how that goes.
Did a big AL place here and it went great. So maybe more of those as I branch out.
Thing is I got spoiled a few weeks ago and posted about it. House party where I played piano and sang and was treated with respect. I was on a high for two days. Wish I could get more like that.
The positives here are I have found that you do get treated better than up North, people in general are more polite and laid back, the gigs pay better than I expected and there only 3 hours. Most are earlier too.
I still practice every day as I have my whole life and am still buying equipment I don't really need so I'll" keep on truckin". ( does that phrase make me sound old ? LOL )
Mark from what I know of you , you have a very special skill set and I think you could use that to your advantage. Good luck