Gary, Obviously, I don't know what years you are talking about when you were squeezing out $100 each before expenses, but from around the mid 70s we were charging $1000 to $1200 for 5 guys, 4 hours ... Late 70s to 1984 when I moved to RI it was$1300 - $1500 ...
Guess I was lucky to be playing in the greater NY area ...

If I were playing in a full time band today I would probably opt for a multi voiced digital piano that also had strings and vibes, and a Hammond clone of some sort ...

And Gary, just as a point of information, 99% of my work is OMB ... when I do have the opportunity to play with other musicians, it's usually just a guitar player or sax player ...

But what does all of this waste of bandwidth prove?!? - NOTHING ...
We should all just be happy we are still here and able to provide music and enjoyment for others - even if we are using wax paper on a comb !!!

(Wow, I haven't needed a comb in years ! ... oh, wait, that's another thread )