Questions re: Christian bassist doing contract work

CraigG · #1 01-31-2008, 08:48 AM

After more than 3 decades of playing in christian bands, touring professionally with ministries, etc., I'm considering making my services more widely available as a contract bass player (still, primarily, in the Christian market). I do not envision the work becoming my primary vocation. I have a few questions for any of you Christian bass players that are doing the same. I am located in the northeast USA, but would be open to working throughout the USA should the opportunity present itself...

1. Should/must I join a musician's union?

2. If I join a union, what are the advantages/limitations? Will I still have the freedom to negotiate as I see fit?

3. For everyone who responds, whether your in a union or not, would you mind sharing what your typical fees are when you do contract work? I would be interested in ball-park figures so I know what is a reasonable rate to require for my services.

I think that should do it for a start. More questions will likely follow.

TIA,

Craig

txbasschik · #2 01-31-2008, 08:54 AM

I don't sub much, and its most-often for friends who ask me to cover the bass for an equal cut of whatever they make. "In the family," so to speak.

However, most of the hired guns I know charge a $100 minimum. These are all secular groups, of course, but I can't imagine that it would be very much different for Christian groups. All God's chidren gotta eat!

Hope you get more educated feedback than mine! Best of luck in your new ventures!!!

Cherie

Chebass88 · #3 01-31-2008, 08:59 AM

Craig,

A question for you to consider - if you join a union, are the places you are playing union venues? A lot of times, the unions are not happy with you playing non-union venues, which churches certainly are.

Provided you are working enough to support the dues & membership fees, it is ok. It will enable you to play certain venues (professional theater work, for example) that you cannot otherwise play. I dropped out of the union I was in (Philadelphia Local 77, AF of M) because I was not playing often enough to justify their membership dues, especially for the services they provided to me.

What services will you receive as a union member that you will not receive acting on behalf of yourself?
From the Christian angle, are you merely trying to have a better sense of price & bargaining power? If you can get it - great!

Best of luck to you.

imp

CraigG · #4 01-31-2008, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chebass88

Craig,

A question for you to consider - if you join a union, are the places you are playing union venues? A lot of times, the unions are not happy with you playing non-union venues, which churches certainly are.

Provided you are working enough to support the dues & membership fees, it is ok. It will enable you to play certain venues (professional theater work, for example) that you cannot otherwise play. I dropped out of the union I was in (Philadelphia Local 77, AF of M) because I was not playing often enough to justify their membership dues, especially for the services they provided to me.

What services will you receive as a union member that you will not receive acting on behalf of yourself?
From the Christian angle, are you merely trying to have a better sense of price & bargaining power? If you can get it - great!

Best of luck to you.

imp

Thanks for the info. Yes, the limitations of not being able to play the venues I would typically play was something I was curious about. I certainly don't want to cut off my nose to spite my face. I suspect union is not very beneficial in the Christian market.

I am, however, still curious as to what is a reasonable rate to ask for services rendered. Much of my playing in recent years has been local. However, if I were doing contract work from time to time and having to travel fairly signifcant distances and, ocassionally, travel by air, I'm wondering what is a fair price to charge.

TIA,

Craig

zachbass02 · #5 01-31-2008, 09:24 AM

depends on the artist and their budget. I always do a case by case basis. If it's a smaller national touring act....$250-350 per show is reasonable. If it's someone like Faith or Martina, shoot for the stars. =) If it's a lesser known signed band or local band $50 (for local show + 1 rehearsal) - $250 is reasonable for your services (again depends on the artists/band). I typically will not leave town for a road show/weekend show for less than $100-$150 per show. In any case, don't sell yourself short, but be flexible if you can afford to. It'll keep you working if you do.

I'm not a union member in Nashville. So far hasn't been a problem. If I need to join for a gig, I will. But until I hit that bridge, I don't plan on joining.

JKT · #6 01-31-2008, 09:24 AM

I can't see where a union would help you here.

As for fees, I don't free-lance much as it would create a void at my home church. However, depending on travel and the type of performance needs, 100 bucks is certainly not out of the question. For a good player in the right area I would think you could make this work. If my home church situation changed I would consider it myself. On one hand when you're dealing with a mega-church they often have enough talent in-house, on the other I have always said that compared to the world, the talent pool in the body of Christ is often shallow and muddy

JKT

zachbass02 · #7 01-31-2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigG

I am, however, still curious as to what is a reasonable rate to ask for services rendered. Much of my playing in recent years has been local. However, if I were doing contract work from time to time and having to travel fairly signifcant distances and, ocassionally, travel by air, I'm wondering what is a fair price to charge.

TIA,

Craig

If you're traveling by air, it is always the artists responsibility to pay for your travel on top or your pay. If you're driving to a significant distance away gig (ie...nashville-memphis or further), either the artist vans/buses the band there, or reimburses for gas/mileage on top of your pay. If the artist tries to make you pay for your trip out of your pay, I wouldn't take that gig.

CraigG · #8 01-31-2008, 10:27 AM

Thanks everyone. These are the kind of answers I was looking for. Looks like I'm on target with my expectations.

Craig

bradjonesbass · #9 01-31-2008, 03:53 PM

Don't join the Union.

The artist should pay all of your travel costs on top of your pay. This includes hotel/lodging, a per diem for food, mileage and/or airfare/auto rental, equipment rental, etc...

Locally, I won't take less than $100 for a show, and there have to be other reasons to take the gig if I'm taking that much. I try to get double that minimum, but that's not always possible. Who have you played with? Are they big-name enough that you can network through them? What about artists you've opened for, labels you've worked with, etc... Call in favors to get yourself started. Shameless self-promotion will pay off for you.