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I have long hair.

I'm 40 years old, with a ponytail that reaches the small of my back. I've never had a problem because of it. I've had no issues getting jobs or renting apartments. Cops and security guards don't treat me like a probable criminal. And it certainly hasn't caused me problems in bands. If anything, I think it's an asset, because it makes me look the part. I work in an accounting position for my day job, but one thing I can't stand is a musician that looks like an accountant. :p
 
I wanted long hair, but I have ridiculously wavy hair that looks bad. I have a short follicle cycle also, so it takes forever to grow. Can't make it look how I want long, can't do anything with it medium, therefore it stays at "Marine haircut plus six weeks."

As people have said already, playing upscale stuff, you may do better with short hair, you might not. For most gigs, you'll "look" more "like a musician" with long hair. I always feel like metal bands might turn me down just because I look like Henry Rollins...
 
My hair is more than half-way down my back,
longer if it's straight.
When I got tapped to go on tour, thought surely the subject would come up.
They said get it trimmed a bit, take the facial hair down close.

I usually keep it pulled back.
(long hair and power tools don't mix well)
I'm looking for something to keep it from frizzing on top.
When it's windy, looks like a squadron of birds tried a wheels-up landing on it.

Anyway, I took my beard down to about a #2 setting.

Curious that a BL of a bluesrock outfit would have an issue.
My bluesrock band, I usually let it all out, including the hair.

Remember, your hair doesn't play the bass, you do.
 
I play Blues/Blues-Rock, Jam Band stuff, and just recently a BL mentioned my hair. Would a haircut help me get hired more? I am serious. Here's me (my hair's actually a bit longer now):
Seriously, I'm not pretty. But would a haircut clean me up?

Hmm, Blues/Blues-Rock, Jam Band and a Band Leader mentioned your hair? Gotta be a Lead Singer!:D:hiding:
If you are doing Society Gigs you might have to tie it back, but has the BL looked at The Allman Brothers or Widespread Panic lately?
Oh well, down here in Nashville we'd say, "Oh, Bless His Heart!":D
I'd do what you want-long or short hair doesn't seem to matter anymore!
 
Was the BL referring to the length or the style? You're sort of at an in between length, and it's a little dated as far as what's "in style", which I don't care about, and you probably don't either.

In any case, hair length shouldn't keep you from getting gigs, but depending on what kind of second job you're after it could hurt your chances. If you're just looking to deliver pizzas a few nights a week it shouldn't matter.
 
"But, IF you would like to look more 'clean' yourself, I'd start with the facial hair."
I agree with this. You need more beard! I think a 1/2" to 3/4" full beard would suit you. Keep the hair! I'm balding, so I don't have the chance. My current band is metal, so it would be especially useful. You can't do the circle head bangin bald. It looks stupid haha
 
For playing the blues? Blues is such a broad style that I'd say there's the whole scale to choose from, from grungy blues rock all the way to almost big band jazz. The old blues guys like Hooker etc were meticulous about being stylish in proper clothes and well groomed, always suit and tie and a nice hair cut. That was then, this is now, and today anything goes. For me, an artist may look any way he or she chooses, clothes and hair.

The only thing that really turns me off is if an artist is visibly drunk or high on stage. That's totally unacceptable, but another discussion.