I completely missed the era of house bands, at least in the Northeast. I think the closest thing you can get now is block bookings on the weekends at the same venue.
My father-in-law has a super-tight band that plays classic rock, all very talented musicians. They work every weekend, but different clubs. He worked nightly in house bands in the 70's for more per night than I've EVER made on a gig, in 2022 dollars.
Standard set time?
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Andrew Goulet
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Doug Beaumier
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I hear ya, Andy. The pay has actually gone Down (when adjusted for inflation) over the years.
In 1975 when I was a young and eager player, most local gigs paid about $30 to $35 per man. My band had a few gigs that paid $45 each, and I remember thinking how excellent that was! In fact, it was excellent. That's $237 in today's money! Not bad for a local club gig. And $30 in 1975 is $158 in 2022 money.
In 1975 when I was a young and eager player, most local gigs paid about $30 to $35 per man. My band had a few gigs that paid $45 each, and I remember thinking how excellent that was! In fact, it was excellent. That's $237 in today's money! Not bad for a local club gig. And $30 in 1975 is $158 in 2022 money.
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Dave Hopping
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Dennis Detweiler
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$50 each for a night of playing was good money. We used to get double for playing a private party, weddings and anniversaries. Now a DJ with the big equipment gets those jobs and can make a grand living at $300 - $1000 a night. We never get a wedding or anniversary job anymore. In mid 70's we were playing 6 private parties per month. 
1976 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics 427 pickup, 1975 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics X-12 pickup, Boss 59 Fender pedal for preamp, NDR-5 Atlantic Delay & Reverb, two Quilter 201 amps, 2- 12" Eminence EPS-12C speakers, ShoBud Pedal, 1949 Epiphone D-8. Revelation preamp into a Crown XLS 1002 power amp.
Good Old Days Are Gone....
I am almost 70 now and decided to try something different. I don't play out live anymore. Hauling gear is holding me back. Time to relax and take it easy. I played Pedal Steel for over 40 years. I'm happy. I have done everything that I ever wanted to do with my Pedal Steel. Back in the day we played 40 minutes on and 20 minutes off in the bars and weddings or private parties the same way. I moved on to my You Tube Channel and Facebook. I am enjoying it a lots. Tons of followers. Have not been on here in a while. Had some major health issues last year. All patched up now.
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Chris Templeton
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When I played at the Club 500, on Bourbon St., in the 80's, it was 45/15 plus meager tips BUT, I NEVER knew if the gig would end at 1am or 4.
It depended on the amount of customers.
One night, a customer put $5 in the tip jar and requested a song. A little while later, he came back to the stage and said, play my song or give me my money back or I'll kill you".
I don't remember if he got his $5 back, but word got back later, that he got in trouble at another club and did have a gun.
I quit that night.
Nothing like a Louisiana Saturday night.
It depended on the amount of customers.
One night, a customer put $5 in the tip jar and requested a song. A little while later, he came back to the stage and said, play my song or give me my money back or I'll kill you".
I don't remember if he got his $5 back, but word got back later, that he got in trouble at another club and did have a gun.
I quit that night.
Nothing like a Louisiana Saturday night.
Excel 3/4 Pedal With An 8 String Hawaiian Neck, Tapper (10 string with a raised fretboard to fret with fingers), Single neck Fessenden 3/5