I just got my first gig since COVID shut us down.

[Notes_Norton 628]

I just got my first gig since COVID shut us down.

It's in February 2022.

So far the 2021/2022 winter season has one more gig than the 2020/2021 winter season :)

Insights and incites by Notes

[DeepEnd 2,869]

Sounds like things are looking up if you can only survive the current season.

[Notes_Norton 628]

One thing for sure, I'm not being overworked this year ;)

I'll survive. The mortgage is paid off, I live below my means so I have no debt, and I haven't had to hit my savings yet.

Notes

[daddymack 3,775]

Notes, consider yourself lucky...both on a future booking [I have ZERO...😢] and being financially stable [I'm pretty close...]

but you already know what a lucky so-and-so you are😎

[Notes_Norton 628]

21 hours ago, daddymack said:

<...snip...>

but you already know what a lucky so-and-so you are😎

Indeed, I do. I wish everybody was at least as lucky and as happy as I am.

[leftyjay 12]

The places that cancelled me for November and December of 2020 are now calling to rebook for this coming November and December. I was booked about 50% already for the end of 2021 and 2022 season (Nov to April). People are filling in the empty dates for 2022 as well. So, hopefully I'll have a big 2022 season if we get the covid calmed down and the vaccine in peoples arms this spring and summer. I'll hate if it drags on, and the venues will have to cancel the dates they just rebooked.

[DeepEnd 2,869]

2 hours ago, leftyjay said:

So, hopefully I'll have a big 2022 season if we get the covid calmed down and the vaccine in peoples arms this spring and summer.

I would hope that things will be at least semi under control by November, knock on wood.

[Shaster 112]

Nothing in 2022 yet, but I've got three in February 2021. I'm doing Valentine's weekend as a solo and a band taping for Coastal Jazz Winter Festival with Dalannah.  https://www.coastaljazz.ca/event/dalannah-gail-bowen

I'm still picky about which gigs I take, but because I'm an essential visitor for my Mother, I got part one of the Pfizer jab last Friday. Not sure when part two will be, as the plant in Belgium is temporarily closed, and Canada doesn't get any product from Kalamazoo.

My current gig status reminds me of Grade 9 and 10, when my band would play 5 to 10 gigs a year, and we would think we were really making it

Edited January 20 by Shaster

[Notes_Norton 628]

The new owner of the place where we played 12 consecutive one-day-per-week during the winter season just told me 'perhaps next year'. Right now they don't have enough business to warrant hiring a band on a weekday.

The weekend crowd is very different and we aren't appropriate for that, so I didn't even ask.

That's probably for the best. Without the Canadian and Northern USA tourists and winter residents, we might not be able to generate enough profit for us to be worth our pay. I'd rather not have them have us and run at a loss.

Leilani and I get our next Moderna shot early next month. The appointment is made and the vaccines reserved.

Things are looking up!!!

Insights and incites by Notes

[daddymack 3,775]

let's hope there is still a supply available in 3 weeks to a month....

[Notes_Norton 628]

19 hours ago, daddymack said:

let's hope there is still a supply available in 3 weeks to a month....

I think Cleveland Clinic reserves one when you make an appointment. And with a new President/Administration there is some hope that they will handle this better than the old one (I guy can dream, can't he?)

Back on topic:

Now I have two gigs in early 2022!!! Twice as many as I had a week ago.

Insights and incites by Notes

[Shaster 112]

Well I did the taping for Coastal Jazz, that went well. We all had our masks on except for the singer, who had this floor to ceiling plexi in front of her. Everyone was standing apart and I didn't feel too nervous, especially as I've had my first Pfizer shot. My Valentine's gigs went sideways, sort of a disagreement with me and the higher ups. They wanted some singing, and I didn't think it was appropriate. Just as well, it was quite the snow storm over the Valentine's Day weekend. Plus, the hotel is now one of the official isolation hotels for air travellers. Thanks, but no thanks

Spending my time rediscovering my mothballed guitars and reconfiguring my pedalboards (over and over again). Looking to build a looper rig just for fun.

If all goes well, I'll get my second Pfizer shot next week.

[Notes_Norton 628]

I now have 6 gigs booked for early 2022 - things are looking up. That's 6 more than I've had in the last 11 months.

We've had both Moderna shots, and are feeling pretty good about it.

[SteinbergerHack 11,017]

Maybe it's a difference in the area, but:

I have played 8 paying shows over the last three weekends, one of which was virtual.  Audiences were smaller (covid-limited), but present for the other 7.  I have another 6 nights booked in early May, and I was offered a 6-night show in April that I had to turn down due to conflict with my daughter's wedding.  I also have a few nights booked in June and October.

Even better, I am scheduled to get the vaccine 1st dose tomorrow afternoon.

It's not back to what it used to be, but it's coming back .......  slowly.......

Edited March 1 by SteinbergerHack

[Notes_Norton 628]

It's different here. Our governor is among those who tell us COVID isn't as serious as it is, passed a law saying that nobody in Florida is allowed to enforce mask ordinances, opened businesses prematurely, and made Florida one of the hot-spots for COVID.

So tourism is very slim and only the extremist science-deniers are going out.

Notes

[DeepEnd 2,869]

10 hours ago, Notes_Norton said:

It's different here. Our governor is among those who tell us COVID isn't as serious as it is, passed a law saying that nobody in Florida is allowed to enforce mask ordinances, opened businesses prematurely, and made Florida one of the hot-spots for COVID.

Our beloved Governor here in Misery basically said "Wear a mask if you want but nobody can make you." Now we're dead last in terms of percentage of people vaccinated. People are driving up to 200+ miles for the vaccine.

[Notes_Norton 628]

Vote 'em out.

[Bob Dey 45]

I'd rather live in a state that hasn't killed small businesses myself. Masks were supposed to be used only when social distancing (6 feet) isn't possible.

[Notes_Norton 628]

I'd rather live in a state where people's lives and long term health issues are more important than corporate profits.

I'd rather live in a country where people voluntarily put the masks on to protect others and work for the greater good during an emergency. In other words, a civilized country instead of a barbarian one.

[leftyjay 12]

Just got my first Moderna vaccine yesterday.  No issues. Didnt even feel it. Might be able to play some Animal Clubs during the summer once I get my 2nd shot. My bookings for next season are filling up starting late October. If nothing crazy happens, next year will be a big comeback for music venues.

[Notes_Norton 628]

6 hours ago, leftyjay said:

Just got my first Moderna vaccine yesterday.  No issues. Didnt even feel it. Might be able to play some Animal Clubs during the summer once I get my 2nd shot. My bookings for next season are filling up starting late October. If nothing crazy happens, next year will be a big comeback for music venues.

Good for you!!!

We have a half dozen definite gigs for the 2021/2022 winter season, and a number of inquiries that are pending.

I'm hoping the nightmare will be over for us all soon.

 

Insights and incites Notes ♫

[DeepEnd 2,869]

On 3/18/2021 at 3:38 AM, leftyjay said:

Just got my first Moderna vaccine yesterday.  No issues. Didnt even feel it. Might be able to play some Animal Clubs during the summer once I get my 2nd shot. My bookings for next season are filling up starting late October. If nothing crazy happens, next year will be a big comeback for music venues.

Best of luck.