This week I played a new venue. It is a very upscale retirement community($750.000 buy in for each resident) and while there I am not to "interact" with any of the residents on a one-on-one basis. They believe they protect their clients this way. Security is also very tight.

Anyway, my location for the gig was in a very out of the way spot and during the gig not a single person approached me nor did I hear any applause or acknowledgment that I was even there.
I figured what a waste of time.

I played my usual songs and packed up and left - again without a single person speaking to me. The next day the AD called me and
booked me on a weekly basis for the rest of the year. She said the residents wanted me back all the time.

I guess you never really know what your audience is thinking.

Hammer

I have a little manufacturing company in Paris, Ky (a very small town near Lexington-most famous resident-Secetariat) who has been getting me to play their service anniversary party in July and their Christmas party in December for 31 years.

The factory workers are not comfortable with the venue-the University Of Kentucky Faculty/Alumni club, and never say anything. They arrange chairs in a circle in front of me and sit quietly for 1 hour, until dinner is ready. they NEVER say anything to me.

I always think that I've played my last time for them, until the secretary delivers my check and asks if I will do the next party.

Go figure!

R.

Wow, that seems like something from the Twilight Zone, Hammer. Did you mean $750k to get into that place? What does that get you? I didn't know anything like that existed.

A professional is someone who can do his best work when he doesn't feel like it.

I have learned that you just do what you do. Can't tell you how many times I've played thinking no one was paying attention, and then had a great tip night or wonderful comments at the end.
DonM

Yea, but, Mason, you've got to remember that you're the originator of "Yer meat on the driveway", or whatever.


NONE OF US CAN COMPETE WITH THAT!

(Played it for Steve, and he laughed his A** off)!


Oops, almost wrote ASS....my bad!


Russ (Mason wanabe) Lay

Yea Bill - $750K to get in then another 9-10K monthly pending on the type of housing. It is a strange place to play because the security for the residents is so tight that outsiders(like entertainers) are not allowed to socialize with the residents. I have several of these type places and each has it's own distinct personality. These places are retirement communities with every bell and whistle you can think of. They take residents shopping in limos. Oh yea, and these are the places that complain the most about my fees - go figure.

Hammer

The main reason why I do not play in restaurants.
While some people claims that I play too high, other people says that they can not hear me.
This is an eternal and deeply unpleasant debate.
I prefer to work for an audience ready to hear me.

Russ,

I played a for a 50th Anniversary at the University of KY Alumni Club. It's a neat venue from what I can remember, and I had to set up in an alcove area near the parking lot entrance. Of course, I had a different audience to work with, lots of folks dancing, several people asked for cards and CDs and wanted to know if I played regularly somewhere in Lexington or Louisville. When I told them I was from Maryland and just there for the job and headed home the next day, they must have thought I was some kind of nut case for driving 11 hours to a single job.

Hammer,

We have a few places in my part of the world exactly like the one you described. $500,000 in up front money, plus $5,000 to $7,000 a month to live there. I perform monthly at a couple of them, the people, however, are very open, applaud and dance a lot, and really have an upbeat attitude. They love it when the entertainers interact with them and any time there is a special event, I'm among the chosen few that gets called by the director.

Since the housing sales market has essentially crashed, at least in this part of the world, the upscale locations requiring huge sums of upfront money are being bypassed in favor of some of the new, monthly, retirement communities. No upfront money required, you are on a month-to-month lease, prices range from about $2,800 to $6,000 per month including meals and all activities. One of the places that I really love to play is Avondell Retirement, which is located just 10 minutes drive time from my home. They have their own nite-club/lounge, exercise room, huge patio, and the meals are served in beautiful dining rooms by waiters and waitresses wearing tuxedos. Everyone that physically can will dance the night away.

Cheers,

Gary

Hi Gary,
We are having a big change in my area with retirement venues. We have been severely overbuilt and many of the places that once had a waiting list are now under 80% occupancy. That has impacted budgets and everyone is cutting back on everything.

What that has done for my business is I now need over 70 clients to provide the same level of business that I once had with only 20 clients. It all leads to a LOT of phone calls, emails, and followups which ruins the whole thing for me.

I ran into another guy who only plays the senior circuit and he thinks he will walk away from it all this year. The ADs turn over faster than you can count to 10. That also makes it harder to stay booked in regular places. Since January I have had 11 Ads change. All in all, I have about reached a point where it is almost more trouble then it is worth.

Hammer

You nailed it.

I don't believe I would want to return to a place that didn't allow any interaction between entertainer and residents. Interaction is the hallmark of what my performance is all about. Gary mentioned Avondell. I too entertain there on a regular basis and you won't find a more upscale place, yet everyone is very friendly, they dance the night away and I always have to stay a half hour or so after the job just to talk with eveyone who comes up. For me, this is what it is all about.

Joe

My thoughts
1-I do the best I can on all my senior jobs.
2-My reason for playing there is not money alone.
3-The friendliest people I played for were not the Well-To-Do. I receive more tips and encouraging remarks from the ordinary Joe. People with many dollars normally show their appreciation in different ways – they show their appreciation my offering you future jobs, it is their way of saying you’re OK.

I had a dear close friend who was from the Watkins family. Watkins is the Amway of the west, many, many dollars. His home was in Palm Beach, Manalapan on A1A. His cottage was right at ocean front. Our great friendship was centered around playing keyboards. Because of the people he knew I got to play many Palm Beach jobs. I played in one home where they had a room the size of my living room for their dishes and silver ware. I played my keyboard, roamed from table to table with my guitar and had very little fun. The dollars were good but I let it all slip away in favor being with people I relate to.

John C.

no offense, but if I'd hear someone playing covers with an arranger keyboard, I would not feel compelled to give applauses. This is not because I am mean ,or because I am diminishing your job in any ways.. I would simply assume that you are doing your job, no more and no less.
Maybe I am wrong, but I think that the audience perceives the above in the same way. I don't think they meant to be nasty.
Personally I respect an audience like that. I can't stand an audience who gives applauses like monkeys every 3 seconds for nothing. In some settings, like classical music concerts, this happens often. I can feel that people applaude out of social requirements, rather than because they really want to applaude. They also do it out of habit. I think that sucks.

Especially rich people, do you think they give a damn.... they can get a lot by just giving directions; they simply thought that they are paying for a service (and in that, I can't fault them).

But in the end, you are right, what do you care, just be as pro as possible. It's not worth wondering what other people think of you or why. It's their bag, who cares. Don't even hate them, as it would show in your profession.

Definition of a successful gig:
You show up
They show up
You Play
They Pay
You enjoyed it
They enjoyed it
Check clears
You get re-booked
Nobody got hurt.

Eddie

Yep, that pretty well covers it for me too.

Well said, Eddie.

Ian

JMO: Unless I were in desperate financial straits, I wouldn't accept a return invitation.
I echo Joe's sentiments.

Yeah, I couldn't play a gig where nobody responded. But, you could also just do it as paid practice.

If I ever felt this way, I would retire immediately and never play another note in public. At the point I'm identifying applause as an enemy of any sort, I need to find a shrink.

If I had a dollar for every time a client complained to me about other performers who appear to be just going through the motions, or just there to collect a paycheck, I'd be rich.

I'm willing to bet anyone an ice cream sundae that if hammer keeps this gig for 6 months or more, he'll almost certainly develop some friendliness between him and some of these guests. To me, it sounds like they want a Country Club atmosphere in this retirement community. That's cool, I suppose, but even CC's warm to the musicians over time.

Even rich people get old and wind up in the "bad neighborhoods" of the fancy retirement communities. They can play the detached, socially elite game while they're in Independent, but once they're in the Health Centers, they warm up real fast. The appreciation they have for quality entertainment can not be over stated, their reaction to it is genuine, sincere and heartfelt.

I'm pretty sure the old timers like Gary, Donny and Cass will agree with me...

I agree 100%, Bill. If I felt like applause was some sort of enemy I would have immediately taken up another profession and burned my music gear.

Gary

I can MAKE them respond one way or another. So many years, so many tricks.
However, I'm thinking Hammer is saying that the policy there is that the entertainer is technically an outsider and should use the "tradesmen's" entrance, and the employees' restroom.
DonM

I have never understood the current attitude of the younger generation about musicians who do not play music of their own creation. Today they are referred to as "Cover" songs. I wonder what some of the greatest players of all times would have played had they not played songs written or sung by the original performer. You know, people like Peter Nero, Oscar Peterson, Brubeck, Sinatra, Bennett, most of the famous Big Bands, and a host of many others. They all made a pretty good living playing or singing songs written by others.

The upscale venue I have booked is really a neat place to play. The atmosphere is just a little different from what we are usually accustomed to. What it all boils down to is I will get paid for playing without being interrupted or bothered by anyone - get in, play, get out - GET PAID IN CASH ON THE SPOT!

I also play at several places where the reaction from the residents is limited because they do not have the capability to react loudly or with much emotion. These are the tough gigs because you know these people are on their very last leg. But you can always tell they hear the music and enjoy if you look close enough.

Hammer

The richer they are, the bigger PEEON you become to them.

The tradesmen entrance that Don refered to reminded me of something funny that happened a few years ago. My wife is a big Johnny Mathis fan so we had been to his concert at the local Symphany Hall. She wanted to wait for him to come out so we went around to the stage door and garage entrance. After about a half hour, the garage door opened and sure as hell, Johnny had to walk around the dumpster to get into his car. It's the same at all levels.

Joe

I'm about ready to make my every 4 year switch...switching from a house job at a country club (sometimes it's an upscale restaurant) to a place with "regular" people in it.


I'm the "society guy", and what I've observed is that the really well-heeled folks are fine...pleasant to work for. It's the wannabee's that are the pains in the ass. I'm part of the local financial services business community and I know the net worth of the long-timers. I have a contest to see which ones will have their credit cards declined.The "new money" folks are constantly showing their asses.

I have enough and move on for awhile.

Same thing in the academic world. Politics on college campuses are rougher and more damaging than in Corporate America. I'll teach a couple of years, but leave completely disgusted that the kids are, unfortunately, dead last in many cases.

The older I get, the less tolerant I am of obnoxious "full of myself" dumb-asses.

When make me think: where the hell will I find a job in a year or two from mow? (LOL)!


Russ (pissed off and proud) Lay

Russ,
You hit the nail on the head! I have found the same thing - the wanna bees are the ones that are the real pain. Those who really have it in the bank are nice people who usually have impeccable manners and in the places I have played have always treated me with dignity and respect. I too have refused to play at several places because of the "I'am better then you" attitudes.

Hammer

Couldn't agree more, Russ. Today, while performing at a high-end Alzheimer facility there was a young girl walking through the audience taking the blood pressure of the patients. She didn't have a clue what she was doing, didn't position the blood pressure cuff correctly, often over-inflated the cuff, which was painful to the patients, then wrote down the information on a flow sheet. The only thing she did correctly was to write the readings down on the flow sheet. At the end of my performance I politely took her aside and told her that the method she used to take blood pressure would produce false highs. She immediately snapped back "I know how to properly take blood pressure." When I tried to explain why the cuff was not properly positioned she refused to listen. Yep, she knew everything there was to know about blood pressure measurements and if you didn't believe her, TOUGH $HIT! She was gonna' do it her way. What an idiot. A college educated idiot--but an idiot no less. On the way home I got to thinking about the situation there and wondered if anyone at the entire facility really know anything about blood pressure measuring techniques. I called the facility director and after a brief conversation she said maybe it was time for the staff to get some up-to-date, in-house training.

I almost lost my cool with that young gal. Glad I didn't, though. She just really pissed me off with that "I know everything attitude" and who is this old fart think he is by telling ME what to do.

Guess I'm getting a bit more feisty and less tolerant in my declining years. I'm a lousy patient to boot!

Gary

Have you noticed Charlie Sheens new high and mighty attitude. The last interview he did, he sounded like Bob Dylan. I wasn't even sure he was speaking English.

Seriously, I hope he gets straightened out before he does himself in.

Eddie

My main occupation is running a painting and wallpapering service, and I have clients who REFUSE to give compliments after a completed job. They just pay me, and never say a word, but will call us again for more work, so you know they are satisfied. While that's OK, a simple "Nice Work", or "Nice Job", or "Looks Good" still means a lot, and I can never figure out why some cannot compliment.

However one time, I asked a customer why he never said he was happy with the job. His answer: "Your a Pro, and it's suppose to be perfect, and it's expected, so no comment is necessary."

So, I have learned.. to many a customer, 'A No Comment is a Good Comment'.

But

If they only knew a Little compliment just makes one feel good

Playing for nursing homes, I can see the appreciation ...the smile on their face, and a little thumbs up is nice. That's when no other acknowledgment is necessary.