So first gig done yesterday and it went really well I followed all the advice, arrived early, started on time, introduced myself while playing the bars to the first song , took time to listen and smiled a lot. the set up took around 5 minutes and I also recorded myself if I was being critical I was a bit flat for the first few songs and started a song in the wrong key, but when I made a mistake, a missed chord change or lyric I just kept going nobody seemed to notice I did get two requests but didn't know them and one thing I will change is to try and add some songs with finger picking instead of all strumming but on the whole pretty good lots of smiles and interaction and tomorrow I get to do it all again.

The dog came in while I was setting up for my show this morning and residents delightfully pet the coat of a beautiful yellow lab. Every once in awhile he would yelp and look at something outside but for the most part he was a cuddly little bugger. I started the show at showtime and Edgar, the dog, was happily going from resident to resident and they were petting him and asking questions to the handler and feeding him doggie treats. Edgar was the star, not me. As I played Mr. Sandman, You are my sunshine, What a wonderful world....I played softly so residents could hear the handler answer their questions. I didn't sing much and only played the melody of the song. I was the background and Edgar was the main attraction. Don't be discouraged when this happens. At a senior community, this is a common thing to have multiple activities going on at the same time. You might think of playing a little louder or singing a little louder to compensate for the conversations and the dog barking but don't do this. You won't ever win. Keep the volume of both your instrument and voice on the softer side and embrace the moment of seeing residents being happy with the dog. I'm happy to become the background music if the residents and Edgar are enjoying each other's time. Embrace the moment and go with the flow of the room and your show will be just fine 👍

Since I am just starting out with performing for senior communities I have been asking for $100 to perform so I can get my performances perfected and get established as an entertainer in our area. I just texted the activities director for a place I played last week, and before I even said my price she said, "By any chance would you be able to do a happy hour performance for $125? We work with a small budget and I pay most happy hour entertainers $100. Would it be possible for you to do a show for that price?" I guess I must have done okay performing for them. 🤓 (That really made my day!) Thanks Chris! Your guidance really helped me a lot to get to this point!