BAND CAN"T FIND WORK HERE, ANYMORE!!

[Billy C.]

We are a pro career versatile cover band that has worked together for over 36 years. The business has been fair to us and it has been hard work with much tough competition from other bands and agents. The PHILA./ ATLANTIC CITY/ SOUTH JERSEY area has been a haven for many years as a music area and work was always available to the better career committed bands, hundreds of clubs, restaurants, casino's bars, etc. We have been fortunate to have made a living here all these years! NOW, it's almost all gone!! KARAOKE & KARAOKE DUO's ( a couple of guys pretending to play along with pre-recorded discs) have all but replaced real 4 & 5 piece pro bands! Establishments can get Karaoke GARBAGE for $100.00 a night and don't feel they have to pay for a REAL BAND!! The IRONY is that KARAOKE has just about killed most the business because people don't come out to it, hardly anymore! Our band has always turned a profit for owners of clubs but it's ALL going away!?!?! IS this happening all over??? OR are there still areas in the US that bands can find work? PLEASE share with me, I can't believe that REAL PRO LIVE BANDS are no longer able to find work that brings in a respectable dollar! TELL ME IT AIN't SO!

[xgator4u]

Originally Posted by Billy C.

We are a pro career versatile cover band that has worked together for over 36 years. The business has been fair to us and it has been hard work with much tough competition from other bands and agents. The PHILA./ ATLANTIC CITY/ SOUTH JERSEY area has been a haven for many years as a music area and work was always available to the better career committed bands, hundreds of clubs, restaurants, casino's bars, etc. We have been fortunate to have made a living here all these years! NOW, it's almost all gone!! KARAOKE & KARAOKE DUO's ( a couple of guys pretending to play along with pre-recorded discs) have all but replaced real 4 & 5 piece pro bands! Establishments can get Karaoke GARBAGE for $100.00 a night and don't feel they have to pay for a REAL BAND!! The IRONY is that KARAOKE has just about killed most the business because people don't come out to it, hardly anymore! Our band has always turned a profit for owners of clubs but it's ALL going away!?!?! IS this happening all over??? OR are there still areas in the US that bands can find work? PLEASE share with me, I can't believe that REAL PRO LIVE BANDS are no longer able to find work that brings in a respectable dollar! TELL ME IT AIN't SO!

Well my friend, between the Karaoke scene for $100.00 a night, there is also the very real problem of young inexperienced bands that are willing to play for free, or next to nothing. Clearly they can not generate the income for the venue that QUALITY pro bands can, but they are glad to perform for free.
It is killing the band scene.

[bikeplate]

HI

Upstate NY(Albany area) still loves its live music. My band plays all the time. Granted, sometimes its not for big cash.

I lived in southern California from '86 till '03. There is very little for the working cover/career band. Dj's, dance clubs, very fickle and trendy. I play more gigs in 3 mos here Id play all year out there

Rob

[N.F.A.]

Where I live is becoming hard too. For example, a couple of local Irish bars don't use live bands anymore and only have the karaoke machine. Bummer!

[burk48237]

I suspect Robs onto something. The bigger and more "musical" the town the harder it is to find work. In Detroit there are a ton of good bass players, and a lot of Musicians period. My church is a great example. Five satellite campuses with five different bands at each campus. Three of the bass players are regulars here. And we're not by any means the largest church in town. I here that places like Nashville, Atlanta, NYC, LA and Chicago are far worse. So if you want to get in a steady working band move out to the sticks.

One thing KJung pointed out to me, is how many corporate and party gigs are being lost to DJ's who in some cases aren't cheaper then the band. K's band lost a gig last fall to a DJ that charges 15K a night.

[Billy C.]

Thanks Guys for the input! What I just don't get, is that we have plenty of Bars & Establishments that offer "LIVE ENTERTAINMENT" but the owners are ALL crying the blues that they don't have the business! When a place does bring in a REAL PRO local band the place is packed, but then they go back to KARAOKE GARBAGE and business dies again! What don't they understand? REAL QUALITY PRO caliber bands DRAW PEOPLE!! YES, they cost a bit more, but the $$$$ return is way more! Why can't the owners get this? We have had many new clubs open in the past year or so, and there's not even a stage built anywhere in the room to place entertainment? Don't forget, I'm in an "ENTERTAINMENT" featured area of the country! What is going on???

[Rocker949]

I would hate karaoke regardless of the economic conditions and how much it is or is not played.