No shortage of gigs here 😂

[JPJ]

So yesterday (Monday) we arrived in Nashville (self-appointed music city). We were amazed wandering down Broadway at 5pm how many bands/duos/trios were playing in the bars - every bar had live music, some having multiple floors of live music and on a Monday. Fast forward to this morning and making the same walk at 11am, same result! Obviously, most if not all are playing for tips only, and you had to feel sorry for those playing to empty or near empty bars. We spotted at least two musicians playing in different groups to yesterday (one bassist was still wearing the same clothes). 
Got me wondering how it works out here? Surely you cannot make a living playing for tips only? Do you have to take the early, empty gigs to get later more popular gigs? Are agents involved or does each bar do its own booking? So many questions - you can tell I’m in the second week of vacation and have nothing else to think about 😂