Played a NH today that is 'tied into' Assisted Living quarters ... to be honest, most of the time I can't tell what residents I am playing for ... in today's audience no one was in a bed - which I have seen on some occasions - and very few were even in wheelchairs ... most used walkers and quite a few were totally ambulatory ...
The staff at this place REALLY seems to care for the residents ... As I said in another thread, the AD sets themes for the afternoon 'tea', which usually consists of snacks/wine/dessert and coffee ... today's theme was Country/Western and the staff and volunteers were dressed for the occasion, wearing cowboy boots, jeans, western style shirts, etc. ... many wore cowboy hats of various styles and they had a lot of 'straw' cowboy hats, Sheriff badges, etc. for the residents ...
I played all country tunes - only strayed from the "Country" style bank to use a couple of "Unplugged" styles - and had them clapping hands, singing along and some even dancing ... It was a real nice party - I really didn't want to stop playing ...

I am thinking of getting my name on the list for this place for when the time comes ...

Speaking of not wanting to stop playing, do any of you guys really play for just the 1 hour you are hired for? ... or do you find yourselves running over 10 - 15 minutes or so?
I realize some of you can't 'run over' because you are running to the next one, but for the rest of you ??? ...

PS: The KORG sounded great ...

Most of the time, I run over 15 to 25 minutes, but I always ask the AD if that's OK. Most say "Play as long as you want - they love you and it doesn't cost us any more money if you play longer."

If you are playing in a dining room, there are often time constraints because the staff has to get the room ready for the next meal. If you're playing in an activities room, which is often the case, it's usually not a problem. I'm an old fart, so more often than not, I'm having as much or more fun than they are. It all depends on the circumstances.

As for the comparison between Assisted Living and Nursing Home facilities, most of the residents in the Assisted Living facilities here are somewhat ambulatory and able to get around with walkers or canes. Very few are in wheel chairs, and none are in beds. The nursing home residents are often brought to the activities rooms in wheel chairs, and some are in wheeled recliners. Never had any in beds.

Tony, I've said this many times, but I'll say it again - the Assisted Living, Nursing Home, senior center and retirement community circuit is the best, and most rewarding job I've ever had in my life. Sometimes it can be hard work, but most of the time the audiences are wonderful people that have just outlived their bodies. They love the music, they love to have fun, they're grateful, and the pay is one Hell of a lot better than it ever was when I was doing the nite-clubs, restaurants, country clubs, and even private parties.

Good luck, and I sincerely hope you get into this aspect of entertainment before you get too old to lug the gear around.

Gary

Gary, I think you're the highest paid nursing home entertainer of the whole forum here, and I'm not jealous, I'm glad for you friend.I'm sure the folks out here get the same benefits ($)from the government as the folks who run these type places where you are.
When I started back playing, I tried charging $100 for 1 hr. Didn't get a gig. One of the entertainers told me the going rate was $50. I started charging $50 and started getting some gigs. I played for $50 ever since. Then last year I notified them that I would be charging $65 and out of maybe 8 or 10 , only two have had me play since then.

Now I play a little for a caterer who lets me use her kitchen for a commissary while working my Hot Dog Cart. At least I only play a couple of times a month and don't have to worry about a $300-$400 a month commissary bill. I don't even take the sax out anymore. I gave up on it. Too much work and time trying to keep the chops up to get a decent sound.

Gary ... I am pretty well into the NH/AL scene ... granted, I don't do as many as you and some other folks here, but some of that is MY choice ... just other things I like to do also before I get too old ...
And you are right - they are the MOST appreciative audiences ...

brick - the going rate here in RI is $85 to $100 for an hour at a NH/AL facility ... a 'steady' gig at a CC/restaurant/ gets $150 to $200 for a 3 hour gig - not too many hire for 4 hours around here - that 'early to bed ...' mentality ... private parties - depends on the type of party - anywhere from $100 to $200 an hour ... I haven't played a club - nor do I expect to - in so many years, I have NO idea what they are paying ...
One guy I know sings, plays flute and saxes, and some keyboard, with backing tracks and throws in some DJing and when he does a private party he is making $800 to $1000 for 4 hours ...

Tony,
You think he understands and appreciates it?
Location, location, location does not only apply to real estate, but it also applies to making a living.

I just couldn't understand it before. B eing in the right place at the right time.

$150-200.00 per three hour night is standard around here for restaurant/lounge work. I can't remember when I didn't work at least four nights a week at that rate. That's about $37500.00 a year.

The big plus is the extras. At the main venue I play-summers, I start May 1. By the end of May, I have my calendar filled with the private (mostly repeat)jobs I do...about 200. These are at $100.00 per hour for a single. Jobs requiring bigger groups are billed accordingly.

Then, I ALWAYS play in places where corporate leaders and community people who would be in the market for films, collateral material...all the stuff I do in the daytime. One "hit" usually generates at least $100,000.00 per year, hopefully for many years. I always get a couple of these a year.

Looking at the broad spectrum of customer contact on multiple levels, playing little restaurant jobs "ain't too bad".


Russ

boo ... He does appreciate because like many on this forum, he has been able to make his living making music ... He also 'pounds the pavement' to get gigs, so he knows they don't just come to you ...

Man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $%#@*&^)%#$@^%$
Russ peeves me off more than anybody else on the forum because he says he really can't carry a tune in a bucket. And he doesn't claim to be an entertainer and everybody in the know, knows entertains make a heck of alot more money than any musician, and that's a fact.

Man Russ, with me and you it's a love, hate relationship. ^#@%$%^%%@@$$@$@$@$@%$##%&$#$
Ha ha and LOL. Buddy!

Hey, Russ sings his tail off, my friend. He is just modest.
DonM

In this part of the world, the greater Baltimore Metropolitan Area, the highest paying restaurants in Baltimore's Inner Harbor pay $100 for a 4-hour job Monday through Thursday, $150 for Friday and Saturday, and Friday is usually a 5-hour job, $100 for Sunday. Big Deal!

I just left the marina where my son keeps his boat, where we also had dinner. There was a "Have Guitar Will Travel" guy there with a Peavey 600-watt stereo amp, 4 speakers on poles, and a beat up old acoustic guitar rigged with a pick-up. He was singing through what appeared to be a Shure SM-58, and had a half-dozen loose-leaf binders sitting on a chair next to him. When he was on a break, which was shortly after we arrived, I talked with him. He was paid $75 to do 3 hours outdoors. To be perfectly honest, he was overpaid. He sounded like crap, his dead time between songs was horrendous, and he couldn't carry a tune in a 5-gallon bucket. He said the weekend rate was $100 for 4 hours, and the rate was the same for a duo.

So, it appears that Captain Russ has a better paying nite club and restaurant market than we have here in the Mid-Atlantic region. It may be a bit better in central and northern New Jersey, but no one can afford to live there on an entertainer's salary.

Cheers,

Gary