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CRAZY perspective I got from a long-time DJ last night

#641
One more thing: pay to play. Most money i have ever made playing music have been from pay to play situations, just wish we had thought to demand a cut from the bar too, even a small one.
I know that in athletics and visual arts and most likely many other crafts that can lead to a professional career pay to play is the only gig there is. I don't think that these folks degrade their fields either, to the contrary they widen the audience and make entry easier and more accessible for the public. I own a $400 painting that i love, would never have bought a $4000 one. I will go watch regional pool tournaments and buy food and drinks, but never go to a $50 top pro event. For examples
 
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#642
Rock Salad said:
One more thing: pay to play. Most money i have ever made playing music have been from pay to play situations, just wish we had thought to demand a cut from the bar too, even a small one.
I know that in athletics and visual arts and most likely many other crafts that can lead to a professional career pay to play is the only gig there is. I don't think that these folks degrade their fields either, to the contrary they widen the audience and make entry easier and more accessible for the public. I own a $400 painting that i love, would never have bought a $4000 one. I will go watch regional pool tournaments and buy food and drinks, but never go to a $50 top pro event. For examples
Click to expand...
That's interesting. Do you suppose that the distaste for pay to play might stem from the concept of "paying one's dues" in the process of learning from others and playing no/low pay gigs while doing so?
 
#644
Rock Salad said:
... venue owners and managers put in years of learning and big $ for gear too.
Click to expand...
I need to learn where these people are. The vast majority of venue managers I've encountered in the past 2 decades have been little more than CO2 suppliers to plants. No/Minimal publicizing of gigs; it's like pulling teeth for some to share our post on their FB page. No PA gear (or if present, it's subpar).

Not all, but far too many people (with experience, yet) seem to lack a clue. Explains why a lot of them fail within 3 years or so.
 

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