It seems that way here in Northeastern Maryland. Many of the places where I used to see Karaoke advertised, VFWs American Legions, restaurants, have recently put up signs saying "Live Music".

My wife and I celebrated out 56th wedding anniversary this past Saturday at the Wellwood Restaurant in Charlestown, Maryland. Out on the deck, they had a 3-piece band performing a variety of songs, mostly 70s through 80s stuff. They had an antiquated sound system, but they still sounded pretty good.

The food was absolutely superb at the Wellwood and while it's a bit pricey, the portion sizes are relatively large, therefore, desert, at least for me, is always out of the question.

Gary

Let’s hope so! The casino where we play at advertises live 7 nights a week in the main bar, but the night we went, they were playing canned music ( not even a DJ)
The dance floor was packed with drunk hillbillies dancing to rap. Not a pretty sight!

Paul were they receptive to your Latin music?

Yes, they like it especially the songs that everyone seems to know ( La Bamba, Guantalamera, Despacito, Havana, Oye Como Va, Suavemente,Celito Lindo, Tequilla, Jenifer Lopez, Selena...) We play in a Mexican restaurant at the Casino. It's not a dance club but sometimes the ladies will get up and dance. We throw in some non Latin stuff too, but the management likes the Latin stuff to add to the ambiance.
Very mixed crowd of families with kids, elderly, and hard core gamblers that just want a bite to eat before going back to the casino.

Paul, sounds like a fun gig ...

I pitch my trio when I can (son-bass, grandson-drums). I thing it's the economy, but lots more people are using my trio in, where I have been doing a single for the last few years.


"It's a family affair..."


Russ (proud dad/grandpa) Lay

Live bands are faring much better around here now than they did a few years ago. The Mexican Restaurant where I played some a few years ago, has added large covered "patios" to make room for bands. At three locations they have bands every weekend and sometimes on week nights.
The five casinos, between nationally known acts, also hire local bands several nights a week. I previously played at two of them but it meant moving in and out all the time and I'm happy doing what I do, and where I do it!
Several of the smaller clubs have finally realize that karaoke wasn't doing them much good and have gone to bands sometimes. Also the VFWs and American Legions and the animal clubs all have weekend bands.
The problem with such bands is that the pay in many of the places doesn't amount to much when you divide it four or five ways. The casinos are the exception as they pay pretty well.
The one and two man acts are not so popular these days. My theory on that is that they all sound pretty much alike, using midi or CDG tracks and playing guitar along with them in most cases.
Gary calls them "have guitar will travel" guys. Don't get me wrong, several of them are really good, and are more talented than I am.
The advantage that larger bands have is that there is interaction between band members and that seems to get the audience involved more. Also, if there are five band members, each of them has a following, even if it is family and friends, and they have a built-in crowd that sometimes follows them around.
Much of this does not apply where I work. It is quite expensive to go there and eat or drink, so that cuts down on the family members and friends who will attend. I have developed a number of customers who CAN afford to come pretty often, but also my job is more to entertain the ones who are already there. If they have to wait awhile for their meal, at least they can listen to me and dance or laugh.
As far as I know I am the only one in the whole area, half a million people, who still uses an arranger. DickieT does as well, but he mostly used it either as a karaoke player or with his four-piece band. And he only works twice a month these days, as his health is not good and he prefers to do other things for pleasure.
Sorry to ramble again and I don't know if these things are just relevant to this area, or might be more universal.

It's the same up here, Don. My friend Helmut Licht has a big band, 17-pieces, and until recently he had a relatively light schedule for the big band. Now, it's booked nearly every weekend and at least one day during the week. He also has a full plate of NH jobs, nearly every day of the week, plus teaches ballroom dancing one night a week.

I still get calls to do private parties and fill in for restaurant and bar jobs, but, unfortunately, I have to turn them down - just too busted up to be on stage anymore.

All the best,

Gary