Jim, you are a very talented musician and entertainer, no doubt about it. However, I wouldn't give up the NH circuit too hastily - from my perspective it was always where the money was. Sure, private parties, corporate parties, nite clubs and restaurant jobs are more fun, but for the most part, the pay scale is lousy. I was pulling down $125 an hour for a NH job, while the nite clubs and restaurants were paying that much in Baltimore for a 4-hour performance, or $25 an hour for week nights.
I was always booked a full year in advance, lots of doubles and even a few triples on the calendar. Over the years, I managed to put together my retirement accounts, support the family, and buy a 33 Morgan Out Island sailing yacht. I managed to take six months off from work, sailed to the Florida Keys single handed, played music along the way and performed enough in Marathon Key, Florida to pay for my living expenses aboard the boat which included dockage at the city marina.
When I returned to Maryland after a six month hiatus, I went right back to work, same schedule, 7 days a week, doubles and triples. If my health hadn't gone to Hell, I would still be working the senior circuit. The audiences love your performances, the hours are great, no traffic jams to contend with, the pay was consistent and a check came in the mail nearly every day from some corporate headquarters from somewhere on the other side of the nation.
As for the CDs, I gave them out regularly to anyone that asked, and people were always asking when I was going to produce a new one. One year, I gave out 50 Christmas albums. I was told they were played almost constantly when I was not there performing live. CDs are a great promotional product, IMO, and should be included with every mail-out package to perspective clients.
Now, when I performed for a private party, corporate party, or political fund raiser, I charged the same rate - $125 an hour. Toward the end of my career, I jacked up the price for the political fund raisers to $500 - they never blinked! I figured they were charging $1,000 a plate for finger food, and I had to put up with drunks again, so it was worth it.
The only side benefit I got from the nite club and restaurant jobs was a free dinner. Unless you were performing in a tourist trap, tips were rare - locals never seemed to tip, and if they did it never amounted to much. The tourists, on the other hand, readily shelled out 10s and 20s.
Good luck, Jim, on whatever you decide upon,
Gary
Spent a good deal of time setting up the studio. Have it in 2 phases a) Video/Audio through the Zoom for YouTube b) CD recording through the Boss. Sending everything through the mixer. Ready to roll!!!
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