Joe and I work the same circuit, though I perform 6 to 7 days a week most of the time, and frequently performed doubles at least 2 days a week. I've been working the senior circuit for the better part of 20 years, and it was balls to the wall during the entire time. Unfortunately, health issues have been creeping up on this old man, and about a month ago I was forced to retire. While I still get calls nearly every day from someone that wishes me to perform for special functions, at this point I have to turn them down.
The average age of the ADs in my area is probably about 35, many as Joe stated, have been at the same location for many years, and some of the new ones are in their mid to late 20s. Good looking gals, very spirited, eager to do what the residents wish, and constantly looking for good talent. They all have budget constraints, and for the most part, they are able to work within those limitations and still maintain a solid flow of good entertainers on a weekly, and in some instances, a daily basis.
As Russ said, some of the entertainment is sub par to say the least. I've seen them, just as everyone in this business has seen them. Most have no musical training at all, though they sincerely believe they are doing a great job. They tend not to last very long at a single location.
As for the pay scale, when I first started, $50 was the going rate for an OMB entertainer. I accepted that during the first year, but once I had established myself, I raised my rates to $100. Only one location said they couldn't afford me, but they came back to me a few months later and acquiesced to my rate. After about 10 years at $100 per hour, I raised the rate to $125, and $150 for jobs more than 30 miles from home. No one blinked, but when posted this on the Synthzone, a lot of guys thought I was shooting myself in the foot. As it turned out, I guess the locations I was not performing at must have thought I was really good because I charged more than anyone else in the area, so they began calling as well.
At one point I was performing at 52 locations each and every month - an insane schedule. Plus, at least once or twice a month, I filled for a friend at a restaurant job. There was much more work available than I could possibly handle, even if I were just 30 years old.
Now, this doesn't just fall in your lap. I have been very diligent in this business, and yes, it is a business. I do my own marketing, advertising, bookkeeping, accounting, taxes, etc..., all of the things that a successful business must do. This requires as much, if not more, time and effort as doing the actual job itself.
I booked all my jobs a year in advance, and NYE was booked 2 years in advance. I provided all of my clients, and perspective clients, with wall calendars, pens, and a contract listing each and every date when I would perform. I have posted this contract on this and other sites for others to use as a guideline. I never had a single instance where a client refused to sign the contract, I've only been stiffed for a single check, and after a year, was able to collect because I produced the contract with the ADs signature.
Now, Captain Russ says he has some Hell Holes in Kentucky, but in my part of the world, they are few and far between. Most of the assisted living facilities are very clean, the staff tends, at least for the most part, to be caring individuals who are friendly with the residents and the entertainers. The staffers frequently interacted with the residents while I'm performing, get some of them out of the chairs to dance, and it's not unusual for them to walk up front and sing with me, though they don't have a mic. We always had lots of fun, and anytime there was a special event, such as an open house, crab feast, cookout, etc..., I was the very first person the AD would call for entertainment.
Some folks refer to this as the Nursing Home Circuit, but in reality, we perform at only a handful of actual nursing homes. Most of our performances are at assisted living centers, retirement communities and senior centers. They all have budgets for entertainers, and while some have been reduced, others have been expanded. You have to learn to work within those constraints, which sometimes involves reducing the number of performances, while at the same time, maintaining the rate of pay.
On this forum, there are only a few of us that made a full time living working the senior circuit, which even at the lowest rate pays more than the nite club and restaurant jobs. Bill From Dayton always seems to busy in his part of the world, and there's no question that DNJ doesn't let any grass grow beneath his feet as well. My top year was 440 jobs, and if I were a young man, say 50 or so, I could easily surpass that number given the sheer number of new locations opening ever year in my immediate area.
I've read some posts where folks made brash claims that those of us that perform the senior circuit probably couldn't work anyplace else. That, apparently, is a fallacy contrived by someone that considers him or her self an elitist. We've all worked the nite club/bar/restaurant circuits, some of us have worked cruise ships, we continue to do private parties and the occasional wedding, but in most instances, we find the rewards, both emotionally and financially, better while working the senior circuit.
Hope this helps,
Gary
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