Under the heading of "You can't make this stuff up"
This morning I had an appointment an hour away from my home. After the appoinment I was heading back and looking for a place to get some coffee. Its 10 AM and I see a McDonalds so I pull in. Parking lot is almost full and the drive up has about 10 cars so I decide to go in. As I guessed the place is full of seniors as Mickey D's by me has become the favorite morning hangout for the older crowd. From outside the front door I hear music and I know its not canned. Wouldn't you know it, a very senior gentlemen playing his Yamaha Arranger on a table right by the front door. Music and McNuggets !
Guy played very well in a Theatre Organ style and could still do all the arrpeggios and flouishes. Got a nice round of applause when he finished. Sort of a shame that it would be fun to sit and listen for awhile but there's a sign near the register which says "tables are limited to 20 minutes while consuming McDonalds products only" I guess some of the seniors were making a morning of it and stopping business flow.
I gave him a thumbs up and took his picture by didn't hit the save button on my phone so use your imgination. Made my day.

It appears that some brown bagged it as well. There are always a few that will ruin a good thing for the rest.

I've played at a McDonald's near me 3-4 times. Once with my duo act, the rest solo, using my Tyros 3 at the time. It's a newer McD's (now ~1-2 years old), music-themed decoration scheme, etc. They had various local artists (lots were teen-agers etc.) during the first few weeks after it opened, then only music on special occasionals. I played there last Christmastime!

There is another McD's about 5 miles away, which I stopped into to grab a McFlurry, and there was a "singer-songwriter" style musician in there - guitar + vox.

So, yes, more than one McD's has had occasional live music in it!

-Jim

Where ever there's people there is a need for music....
Bill maybe you can start touring the fast Food circuit in SNJ...
a gig is a gig !

A few years ago I played in a New Bank on opening day & a Florist shop also....
I'll play anywhere just show me where to set up and pay me.
There's work all over create your OWN Niche! Ive talked my way into many jobs that never thought of having live music & it works. BUt you better bring the "goods" or risk looking like a fool.

Remember this:..If you sit home you make ZERO .....
If you go out and play wherever it is you never know who will be there and take a card for future gigs $$$$...

I have a cousin who during his lifetime has owned a few McD's ... his first was on lower Broadway in the Financial District of NYC ... he brought in a Baby Grand piano and hired a guy to play from about 6:30 AM until 3 PM ...

I have played in a florist/greenhouse during the Christmas Holidays and have played for several Stop & Shop Supermarket Grand Openings ...

Like Donny says, 'do what you have to do' ...

I played several grand openings for Duncan Donuts, many around Washington, DC, and each of those one-day events paid me very handsomely. I was pleasantly surprised.

Nealy all of the Micky D's in my area are senior hangouts. They don't have music, but I'm confident that if someone were approach the corporate office, there would be music job opportunities at each and every one of them. Seniors, from my experience, love music, they love to dance, and they love to party.

Until about a year ago, I performed Monday nights at a Season's Pizza shop in Cockeysville, MD. Most nights the place was dead, and the restaurant section only had a sing waitress who couldn't make more than a few dollars in tips. Monday nights, the seniors showed up, 50 to 65 of them, the place was jammed to capacity, there were four waitresses, and they all went home with a fair amount of cash in their pockets. Yep, a pizza shop! Amazing just how many jobs are out there - all you gotta do is look for them. The only reason I no longer do this one is the pizza shop relocated to a place where there was no room for dancing - the seniors went elsewhere and the job went bye-bye.

Gary

I just don't see the McD's idea taking off. They want you in and out. Thats why the seats are so uncomfortable, true story.
A grand opening party I could go for but a regular gig there ???


As for myself I've been pounding on doors for months before this season hit. Before moving down here my gigs came from referrals and repeat business. Also had some close musican friends and we would toss gigs back and forth.
As a matter of fact one called me recently and I traveled 2.5 hours back up to my old area for a job. Job went excellent and I made NYE level money like the old days. Well worth the trip.

Here's my findings from here.

A. They use the same people yearly. I follow the listings and have seen the same acts booked in the same places for years. One place told me they only use acoustic music. They forget that the guitar player plugs in and uses backing tracks from his computer. They're just conditioned to the same guitar player singers they have always used.

B. They don't know me from the man in the moon. Everyone here knows everyone and I'm the new guy. Never even get a chance to play to let them hear me and then judge. Another place told me my card was too fancy for them. I told them I can play all the typical beach music stuff they want. Even country.

C. Yes, its true now, I'm older, white hair and all, and there is definatly a big age prejudice in the business here. If your part of an established act you can slip by but as an unknown solo no good. Just look at the barmaids LOL!

D. There is virtually no senior business here. NH just don't hire music, only if its free or for a stupid almost free price. A drummer just called me and asked if I would do a gig at a NH as a trio with a female vocalist. Of course I would have to bring the PA ( she doesn't have one or any charts) and put together all her tunes. PAY -- hold on now -- $32. $100 for the trio for 90 minutes. Sorry I don't think so.
One DJ got fired from a longtime gig because he had a following of senior line dancers. They take over the floor and they don't spend. Some bring they're own water.

The few things I've done have gone over great but little to no repeat business.

Trying to start something on Sats. at a CC here because that's the crowd I want to play to. Played there once for season opening dinner dance and they loved me. The members told the manager "why don't you have him on Thurs nights?
Thats the clubs only music night and guess what. She's already booked up--- guitar player singers you can't dance to. They're getting a new chef and starting dinner service so we'll see. Also lining up some parties at the hotels that cater to the senior bus trips. Again, they don't know me so its a tough sell.

Bill, just over the line in Elkton, MD, there are four locations where I used to perform all the time. I stopped doing them because they're just too far away. From you, they would be less than an hour away. They paid $125 an hour and the jobs were once a month. Some wanted me more often, but I turned it down because of the drive time, which for me was about 75 to 80 minutes up I-95.

One of the big problems we all face it looking old. That white hair don't cut it anymore. Garnier Nutreusse, #30, Acorn, 8 minutes and you're good for 19 washings. Medium brown, looks very natural, and even the lady at the beauty shop where I get my hair cut said she couldn't tell.

CC jobs are kind of few and far between around here. At one time, they were easy to get, paid about the same as most restaurants, which was chump change - $125 for 4 to 5 hours, and the same price for a duo.

The animal clubs, Elks, Moose, etc..., American Legion, VFW, Amvets, all pay a bit better, $175 to $225 for 4 hours. Most, unfortunately, have switched to Karaoke during the past five years. So, the only way to land a job with them is to do a half-price, or couple hour freebe in hopes of it turning into something full time.

I know there are several good marinas around Cape May, many of which have restaurants and Tiki Bars. There may be something there for you to look into. Again, you may have to do an off-night freebe in order to get your foot in the door. That's what I did in Marathon Key, Florida. I played poolside at the tiki bar for tips on Wednesday nights for a month, and now the manager wants me to come back, bad. The have guitar will travel guys kept six drunks at the tiki bar, while I had crowds exceeding 100 almost every time I performed. You have to do a lot of country and Jimmy Buffett, though.

Hope this helps,

Gary

Bill I was having this discussion last week with the fellow that played sax with our band in NY ... he is an excellent player - also plays piano - he can play all the jazz tunes on sax to backing tracks and plays piano beautifully with nice jazz voicings etc. ... we were bemoaning the fact that the gigs are not there and I said I think I could get work if I could audition as they do on "The Voice" -sight unseen - ... but when I go into a CC or nice restaurant, they see this 'older', bald guy, and think 'he is not going to satisfy my clientele' ... and they are saying that even when their clientele is 50+ ... image is a LARGE part of this business ...

... and Gary ... you need SOME hair to dye it ...

I still have some, just not as much as I would like. I thought about that Bosley procedure, but figured it's really not worth the expense, and I probably don't have that much longer to play the way health things are going. Ironically, a brand new place is about to open about 12 miles from my home, the new AD and I talked yesterday and it looks as if he wants me to work there at least twice a month, once a month in the independent living section (retirement) and once a month in the assisted living section. That translates into 24 more jobs a year. And they possibly want me to perform for their grand opening ceremonies, which is an all day job that pays $1,000. I could live with that I guess. I'll know in the next two weeks if it pans out.

Gary

... I was talking about ME !!!

I just realized that, Tony. Sorry.

Gary

Gary, Tony

Thanks for the replies. I just recently let the hair go and those who know me like it better white. I do too. I dress well and act professionally, thats all I can do. You can spot a bad dye job a mile away and to me it makes you look more desperate than hip. I especially hate the older guys with the jet black jobs, really fake. Hey, are we really talking about this here ?? LOL

( but when I go into a CC or nice restaurant, they see this 'older', bald guy, and think 'he is not going to satisfy my clientele' ... and they are saying that even when their clientele is 50+ ... image is a LARGE part of this business ... )
That statement hits it perfectly. They don't know you or what you do and have their mind is made up in 10 seconds. Besides I'm 6'4" so they think I'm there to collect money !!
Restaurants don't have music either. As one waitress told me its "Seat em, Feed em, and Street em"
I know an assistant mgr. of the biggest restaurant here "The Lobster House" ( one of the highest grossing restaurants in the country ) He gave me a polite but very true answer. "We don't need it " They could well afford to throw some music out there for the patrons but they just don't care. Get em out so they can do the next seating. How can I argue when even in Feb. every third car coming over the bridge into Cape May turns into the Lobster House.

No Marinas here have any music. One place, The Canyon CLub, that runs the million dollar Mid-Atlantic tournament in August may have a band one or two nights. I've inquired but its all done thru the event company they hire. Name the places you know and I'll tell you their stories. Been to them all. I belong to the Cape May Marlin & Tuna Club. The have a small bar/clubhouse. I played two Fri. for free and had people dancing around the pool table. People who had not been around in a while came in just for the music. Made some good tips. Same answer from the Secretary who manages the place. "We don't have the funds." And this is from a place where guys spend thousands to fuel up their fishing boats every week.

The Deckertainment is the guitar slingers or Kareoke duos/trios. Same for the Animal clubs. All Kareoke "bands" 2 to 5 pieces playing virtually the same backing tracks. Only one band I know actually plays live. Other live acts are the bigger rock groups in the "kid" clubs.
If I could hook up with a decent female vocalist to front I think I could make some more contacts but after working in duos with 4 of them over a number of years do I really want to go thru that again ?

People are People and there will always be Weddings, Anniversaries, Birthdays, Christenings, Bar Mitzvah, Retirement, Dinner Dances, and every other Special Occasions. There are hundreds of functions being held everywhere, every week, and someone has to provide music in may ways..

private functions is where the money is.....for example look in the newspaper for Wedding, Anniversary announcements etc,, look them up, call those people they'll need music. I have booked many "COLD" call jobs this way, let them come see you play somewhere, be better then the rest, Booking work is a never ending part of our business,....If your good enough,..only the determined are successful to make a living and not be just a weekend warrior.
You have to have the confidence & passion to Live Music and Love Music!

Donny
Love your Bravado attitude but you think I haven't thought of private parties !! Thats all I did in North Jersey. But this is a tourist town. Down here you do have a lot of Weddings, mostly at Congress Hall. I'm sure most bring their DJ's from their own area, mainly Philly. Besides, I don't want that anymore. Done my time with Bridezillas, over zealous Wedding planners and Managers who know nothing of your job. And again the age thing is the big factor. I can DJ all the top Dance Music but to them would I look right doing it-- No.
There are virtually none of the other types of affairs you mentioned done here. There are very few Catering Halls. Congress Hall BIG $$$$, and the Cape May Yacht Club. I played one event there, went very well, and have been back twice with cards. Offered to do a few free happy hours for the club members. We'll see. The other is the local VFW where I do some parties. $20 Beef & Beer events for whatever cause and someone's nephew is always the free DJ. Local people here don't have the money for functions like you and I are used to.
I've done one family reunion party at a rented house for 20 people and am doing another Family reunion party for the third time.
And the fact if tourists want to have a function here with a lot of people the cost of traveling here and staying here is ridiculous. If people are having a function like a Birthday or Retirement they meet at a place like the Lobster House, get a corner of one of the dining rooms, put the tables together and have a dinner. No music, no dancing.
If I'm not determined enough where did I get all this info for the last posts ?

Well Bill sounds like a DEAD ZONE for your services down there ..
thru the years I have done many gigs at the Grand Hotel in CM and a few other private affairs close by...but I'd say as you mentioned if you want to gig you might have to travel a bit further. Have you tried advertising the route in the papers etc, or try Direct Mailing a nice pro PR package, pictures, demos, calendars, etc, with followup phone calls for each one?.. ..... this has worked for me in the past also.?
Is gigging financial or personal enjoyment for you at this time in you life?
Or maybe playing with other people who are established already where you live might get you some work & contacts also, look in the musicians classifieds, or advertisements in music stores.....

Good Luck

Forgot the Grand. they basically do big wedding in the upstairs ballroom. Downstairs is remodeled into a br/restarrant where the owners friend DJ's weekends through the house speakers in the ceiling. I offered some keyboard music for the dinner time before he starts. "Don't want ot give up the table space"
The PR package is a good idea and I guess I've just been too lazy to tackle something like that.
Gigging is half and half for me now. I enjoy playing but I also feel I deserve a decent compensation for my work. Love to just do Hammond/Piano in a tight Blues band. There's one here and they won't add to the trio. Even they travel to PA a lot to do gigs. Was with a classic Rock group for a year. Two gigs, one of wwhich I got, and no one wanted to do any more booking work.
One of my fun gigs that defies age prejudice is when I fill in at the local VFW. The younger people and young bartenders love me and want me to take over for the regular Fri. night guy. He's another Mr. Line Dance player. He's rarely out but its always a good night for me that goes way over time. Mgr. won't make a move without the Boards approval and most of them never come on a Fri. to see whats going on. Again we'll see, its in the works.

Hey Bill,
If you're talking about the McDees on Rt 9 in Somers Point - that guy has been there for years! I think he just gets tips too. The older crowds frequent the joint because of senior discounts on coffee, I bet. You have to ask for it. I stop in and see him each year a few times on a Tuesday.

Dave

That's the one. I didn't know he was taking tips. Would of gave him my breakfast money as the place was so crowded I left with nothing. If your going there give me a heads up and maybe I'll think of an excuse to go back. If not see you at the Trap.

Bill, if you wish, I would be more than happy to send you one of my promo packages that I mail out to perspective clients. Just PM me your snail mail address and I will get it out sometime next week.

You can also read an article I did on this subject at the PSR Tutorial Site. http://www.psrtutorial.com/music/articles/marketing.html

Gary

Gary

Thanks for the offer. You have mail