[Dixielandjazz] Playing for free vs undermining the pros

[Rorel at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/11/2007 9:03:01 PM Eastern Standard Time,  
larrys.bands at charter.net writes:

RO--(I  refer to my irregular gigs, not to my my physical appearances, which 
are  irregular enough). My coming in is a little langiappe for the residents  
and, IMHO, hurts nobody.

LW---That might not be entirely  true.  How do you know that they didn't 
count you in their paperwork  back to corporate as an hour of entertainment. 
Entertainment directors are  under the gun to provide so many hours of 
entertainment each week.   The more free the better.  As I understand it 
entertainment is now a  requirement (could be wrong).  You may just have 
added another  $60-$100 profit to the corporate guys that they didn't have to 
pay  for.  Sounds cynical but business is business.


This is last time I will publicly defend my position on offering an  
occasional service free-of-charge.  The list may argue it until doomsday,  but it will 
not change my position.  I leave it those who feel the need to  seem to be 
right to have the last word.  Ostracize me if you  like.  I assure you, I will 
lose no sleep over it.  
 
Nobody counts on me.  If I go into the same facility once or twice a  year it 
is a lot.  If budget planners work me into their charts, then the  problem is 
with them, not with me.
 
Our society is predicated on the assumption that people will do the right  
thing.  How do you know any donation goes where it is supposed to go?   How do 
you know somebody in the corporate offices doesn't use it for their own  gain, 
financial or otherwise?  Sure, let's not do anything for fear of  misuse. 
 
I would imagine there are as many seniors being parked in front of a TV in  
this country for hours at a time with minimal outside entertainment as there 
are  those who enjoy a full schedule of events.  Even if I am wrong on that  
count, I am sure that there are many facilities where they cannot find musicians  
who OKOM, which is what many seniors prefer.  Let's just let them sit  there 
for, after all, business is business.
 
Ray