[Callers] Re: Going rates for ONS dances?

Seth, My going rate is $50 per hour, portal to portal, plus a $50-$100 charge for a sound system, and $0.62 per mile rountrip. It may seem high but ONS dances are my specialty, and I am turning dances down. My minimum rate is $300. This Sunday I have two gigs. A one hour at $350, and a 2 hour at $500. Both of these are with pre-recorded music. I generally add $300-$350 per musician when I use live music, and then the sound system is $100. I am careful to explain that my fee is all inclusive and includes travel to and from, insurance, music and music licensing, a professional sound system, all necessary instruction, and calling the dances. Alcohol has never changed my rate. I might add an hour or two to a wedding, because they are never on schedule. I require a non-refundable $50 deposit for weddings, a non-refundable, but reusable 50% deposit on all uncovered outdoor dances. (This deposit can be applied to a mutually acceptable date in the future.) All that being said, I may on occasion take less. Soon I will be calling at a regional bluegrass festival for less, but they have included an all festival pass with camping privileges and limited hospitality. If I am connected to an organizer, or to an organization, I may call for 50%, or free. There are always exceptions, but my standard quote is as described above, and most customers accept the quote. Hope this helps, Rich Sbardella Stafford Springs, CT On Mon, Jul 31, 2023 at 11:34 AM Tepfer, Seth via Contra Callers < contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote: