musicmic, where are you located? I have yet to find a retirement home that pays over $100 unless it's for a group or a really good concert pianist. (One place told me they saved up their money and hired one of those --once a year only-- for $300.) In Portland, Oregon, $50 is pretty close the top for a one-hour solo act for most facilities, and many can't go over $40. In Seattle, $50 to $60 is more common than in Portland, and a few occasionally pay $75. San Diego is kind of in-between, but when you get to the smaller cities like Salem, OR, activites budgets get smaller, too. I'm told that schools may pay several hundred dollars for a gig, but the probably won't hire you more than once a year, if that often.

Bev and Jerry, what's your experience with the payscale for schools, and where are you folks located?

I agree about the specialty programs. Jewish retirement homes and other Jewish private parties and organizations' luncheons are one of my specialties, as are programs for Cinco de Mayo and St. Pat's. How do you go about finding the private parties that want entertainment? All of mine have been booked by someone hearing me at a retirement home and asking if I do private parties. I've never sought them out, but I would if I knew how.

I'm also curious as to whether any of you folks supplement your income to any great extent by busking. Any of you New York catters play in the subways?