I am talking to the reps from a major Casino in my area for a 5 nighter - long term. This is a place that hosts major folks on a weekly basis. It has decades since I booked anything like this - what kind of pay scale do you guys see in your areas for the major casinos? I'am thinking about $500.00 a night for 3 hours.

Hammer

I have never seen a keyboard Casino lounge act that doesn't incorporate vocals.....are you singing now Dean?...or including a vocalist also as a Duo act.

Nope, Just me.
Hammer

I can't imagine you getting the job without vocals but if you do, terrific! Around here, I don't think you could get that much. If it were me and I did not have to travel, I'd ask for $350. If that didn't fly, $300 plus two meals/night. I'd eat one and take one home. Then again, I don't know if you could even get that much.

Of course, this was quite a few years ago, and in AC, but I remember us getting about $350/night and that was for a TRIO. We figured it was a good deal (back then) since no one was listening anyway and we could play whatever we wanted as long as it was non-stop .

chas

I made $350/night at Hollywood Casino when I was playing there a few years ago.
Sometimes they have a piano player for strictly background music, and it paid pretty well.
DonM

Hi Don,
Yea, thats pretty much the gig - background music for all the slot players played through the house PA system.

Later,
Hammer

I would hope you would be somewhere such that you could see people nearby, that would drive me nuts.

The last time I was at the casino there was a guy playing sax over midi files. He was located on a balcony overlooking an area with tons of slots.

Playing over the house PA system sure messes up the sound. His sound quality was not very good.

Hammer

Strikes me as a bit unusual, that. Live background music? Casinos round here have some sort of contract with a satellite music provider for that.

Like Donny, I've never seen a non-vocal act in a casino, either. Anyway, hope you get the gig. Sounds like a decent earner and regular, as well.

BTW, these "major folks on a weekly basis", are you expected to back them up. If so, I'd think you should be be looking for extra $ for that.

No - won't be called upon to "backup" the big boys. They come in for one nighters and bring their own bands. Next month they have Kelly Clarkson, The Steve Miller Band, Skynard. In the past they have hosted Clint Black and Carrie Underwood and folks like that.

The place has grown into the 5th largest casino in the world in just 3 years.

Well, I haven't been hired yet - but there is no reason for me not to get the gig.

Later,
Hammer

Wow !! I just want to wish you the best of luck in landing the gig Hammer.

A tip learned from none other than Quincy Jones, who said he learned it from Avant the booking agent:

"Practice stating the largest sum of money you can without stuttering in the mirror every morning!"

This is how Quincy ended up being paid what was then the largest sum of money for a single movie underscore when he was called into the "Heat of the Night" project.

He blurted out the sum of money required and the boss did not hesitate, just said, "fine!"

He only found out later what kind of a good deal he had managed to make.

Go for that gig, man, because if you don't I might...


--Mac

Ditto to that. If my calander weren't so full I might come to Shreveport and check it out. I stayed in one of the casino hotels when I was down in January for the arranger jam and they are nice. Good luck Dean!

Joe

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Songman55
Joe Ayala

Joe,
I don't think the job is in Shreveport. Nothing like that here, it's all piped music except for the live shows.
DonM