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How do you make your living?

#82
I didn't read the entire discussion but thought I'd add some humor to this topic...I'm an accountant!
biggrin.gif


Don't see enough of the left/right brain combination in either the music biz or the business biz...:P
 
#83
I'd like to reply to this thread and maybe spin-off a couple new threads at the same time. My day-job is at a university: I'm a lab instrument technician (spectrometers, electron microscopes, etc.)

I've gigged off and on for 30+ years and see
many comments of others that reflect my experiences. I have some questions (hence, maybe some new threads):

(1)Long-time players have noted the decline in venues for live music. Due in part to tougher drunk driving laws, DJ's, etc. The only exception in my part of the woods is country music. What kind of music do YOUR gigs call for?

(2)In my area, there is only one dominant booking agent. Since he also books his own band, we've always felt we wouldn't get access to the better gigs booking with him.
How many of you guys use a booking agent?

(3)Are you responsibile for running the band? i.e. taking care of the equipment, writing the charts, making sure there are batteries for the singers' mics, massaging egos, etc.

Muttley
 
#86
College Student: Decision Information Systems and also Finance. Not the most exciting fields, so I put bass in there to liven things up. When I'm not doing that stuff, I work part time doing computer consulting/building computers/web design/graphics. I also write poetry and songs (sometimes for other people).
 
#87
Well, I seem to combine two favorites here. I'm a military bassist! (well, for another 10 months or so). I've been playing bass with the Army for the last 12 years, and I'm quitting to make my living as a player for the real world. (that and live off my wife!)

And you guys who've spent time (and money) in Itaewon......heh heh heh

Groove is Everything
Pacman
 
#88
I'm a divorce lawyer (19 years now). In fact, my entire band consists of divorce lawyers. I have been playing bass only since Aug. 99. I played rhythm guitar in high school a long time ago. Our drummer, pianist, and sax player have all been playing semi-professionally for years (decades, even). We have gigged twice and have a few more scheduled. By the way, what is the difference between criminal law and family law? In criminal law, we deal with the worst people acting their best. In family law, we deal with the best people acting their worst.

Our as of yet modest web page is at http://www.lawyersplayjazz.com


------------------
Scott Bassett
The Bare Assets Jazz Quartet
 
#89
I make a survivable living as a variety artist. For the past year and hopefully for many more to come I have been performing a traditional circus style comedy dog act. I have three little dog pound terrier types and they jump through hoops and pull my clown pants down and gags like that. Before this, I worked as a ventriloquist doing a traditional type act and as a magician doing both stage and close up stuff. I juggle and do some silly acrobatic stunts. Nothing fancy. I work at fairs and festivals like Reniassance fairs. I do corporate gigs, schools, kids summer camps, RV parks etc.
I'm always working around other variety artists and most of them play music for fun. Mostly accoustic guitars, but sometimes banjos, fiddles, washboard, sqeezebox, mandolin. At night after the fair is closed, I like to be part of the impromptu jam sessions that happen in the performer camping area where the various acts have RV's set up. I'm always the only bass on site and I get great free lessons in all kinds of musical styles. There often is no electric available at these sessions and that's why I was asking about the Pignose Hog 30. I need a DC rechargeable bass amp so I can jam with the Gypsys.
 

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