With the onslaught of disco, disc jockies and karioke in the late 70s, paying gigs dropped off dramatically. Pay wise we still haven't recovered. Frequency wise we never will recover unless we're willing to travel much further for the work. For a number of years I left the business altogether but came back to it after I started a family.

Performing opportunities are much different for me now as I concentrate on recording, weddings, nursing homes, fundraisers, the odd festival, and self-promoted concerts. No more bars, except as a guest of another performer.

To take up the financial slack I teach private guitar, bass, mandolin (and occassionally banjo) lessons. The instruction business is surprisingly tiring and rewarding, and I'm hoping to make it full-time next year (I hold down a mediocre part-time job too) as my waiting list certainly indicates the business is available. I teach about 5-6 hours/day.

There are days when I long for more performance opportunities, or buyers, or recognition, but I figure the trade off is that I get to work at home most of the time. Besides, I wouldn't want to peak too soon.

Until the arts rise to the prominance and importance of sports, war, criminal behavior, gambling, substance use and abuse, we'll always be scratching and clawing our way to a living. I won't say we should suffer for our art, but maybe suffering has become a necessary part of our art. Sigh...

Peace, Mooh.