I play for seniors twice a month at a municipal (county) home. These aren't well-to-do folks at all, and many are too infirm for the outside activities the more active get. My duo mate, a fiddler, actually works at the home in the activities department so she's paid anyway, but these gigs act as practices for us as well as entertainment. I'm not paid monetarily, but I know how the residents appreciate us. (Besides, what the home has to offer in money is chicken-shit, and it's worth my time to use the gig as practice time.) We play right before lunch and from what I hear it helps the residents get alert and ready to eat. I find them much easier to entertain at that hour as they're often too sleepy in the evening.

I'm doing okay financially this year and last teaching private guitar, bass, and mandolin lessons full time, after a few years doing it part time. The future looks good too, so I think I'll stay at it...best job I ever had. It feels weird (though somehow just) to be basically a folk musician earning a full time living at this in rural Ontario.

Peace, Mooh.