Recession Reflection

I don't complain much, don’t take this as whining but WOW this summer is showing signs of a slowdown in entertainment bookings in Central Florida. I cannot remember months of July and August where I have so many open dates.

• This time last year I was working 2 to 4 resort pool side gigs per week. I have none this month.
• I came to Florida in 1999 to work with a band called Panama at the Rock ’n’ Roll Beach Club located on Pleasure Island which is in Downtown Disney. The club closed February 2, 2008.
• With Panama I also worked the West End Stage on Pleasure Island. It was a concert size stage with house band and National acts frequently played there. In 2006 Disney tore down the West End Stage (and the Hub Stage), opening up the walkway off the island more, creating more of an inviting area for daytime.
• In 1999 there was also a Jazz club and a Country Club on Pleasure Island who had house bands. They’re gone.
• By September 28, 2008, all of the nightclubs on Pleasure Island will close. Source
• I also worked in one of 2 House Bands at the Hard Rock Café, Universal. Currently there is no house band at the Hard Rock.
• I don’t have as much experience working at Old-Town (Kissimmee), Church Street Station (Downtown Orlando Area) or Universals City Walk BUT all have seen a decline over the years in live music entertainment. I just spoke with a musician friend and a current house band gig at a Universal venue has been given 30 days notice.
• The latest blow to the live music market in Central Florida happened this past Monday to a venue I stopped working for last year:
  
  Sterling Casino to Port: we fold
  
  Sterling Casino Lines has ceased operations and will remove its Ambassador II gambling ship from Port Canaveral next week, costing more than 500 people their jobs. SOURCE
  

• To the musicians of Central Florida, Sterling folding that means another 10 to 12 tribute acts, 5 to 6 guitar players, 5 to 6 drummers and 6 to 8 steel drummers are at a loss of 14 gigs per week which employed a total a 5 musicians per gig. That isn’t good news for me.

Now I am not complaining. I’m just stating this market is becoming challenging and I’m out to revamp my live music service as a result. The show is getting better with my new vocal harmonizer. My approach to new venues and gigs is changing too.

I wonder what’s going to happen in 2011 when the Space Shuttle Program ceases to fly?