Do you have to be a certain age to be in a cover band?

[StrudelBass]

Not much more to say than whats in the topic title.

[Metallideth]

as long as you have the talent...

[Petebass]

Well in Austr you have to be 18 or older to be allowed into the bar. There's nothing stopping you from forming a band but you'll have to find gigs elsewhere until you're old enough.

In special circumstances, they'll let a young band member perform but only if they're with an adult the whole time, that adult agrees to keep the minor away from alcohol, and the minor never leaves the stage/backstage area.

[brianrost]

Like Petebass wrote about AU, here in the US some venues that serve alcohol will not allow underaged musicians to perform, others don't care. Obviously not all gigs are in bars anyway.

Age need not be a deterrent if you are otherwise qualified for the gig, there are plenty of players who started gigging in bars while still in high school.

Were you thinking of something else, like being younger than the material being covered? Again, if you can cut the gig, most good players will care less about how old you are.

[natrab]

I think it's a good experience. I'm in a cover band with guys that are all at least 15 years older than me and it's helped me grow as a musician (it is also fun being in a band with people who aren't poor and can pay their own way).

[jive1]

It depends on the state or municipality. Some places require people to be 21 to serve alcohol, while you can be of any age when working in other positions. Some states require you to be 18 to work in "adult" industries like bars, casinos, and strip clubs. Some will not allow for people under 21 to be in a bar, or they may require them to be accompanied by an adult. Sometimes a club will have it's own policies aside from state/municipal laws, like some 23 and older bars that are out there.

If you are playing in a restaurant or restaurant with a bar, it shouldn't make a difference what your age is as long as you are not drinking alcohol.

It also depends on the reputation of the club. The club might have a bad rap with the police, and may not find law enforcement very friendly towards them. Especially if they have had liquor license violations. It all depends.

Talk to the guys in the area who are in charge of liquor licenses or caberet licenses, and they'll probably give you the legal low-downs.

[Muzique Fann]

Yes, you have to be at least 80 years old to be in a cover band. Regarding the bar thing, if I recall correctly Stefan Lessard had to "sneak" in and out of bars early on w/ the DMB. As long as you don't act like a fool and at least a couple of the guys are "of age" there shouldn't be a problem.

[Stephen S]

you must be exactly 29 to join a cover band, any older, and your stuck playin country.