I need $175

[PauFerro]

Do you hire union musicians?

At one time I had someone who said he also belonged to the union. He was a first call guy for a while and then he moved.

 

[Derry Murbles]

Having moved to LA last year (with no plans to play more seriously than a hobby/fun band; moved for other reasons) this thread has me intensely interested in cracking into this until-now mystical paid gig territory. Reading about the dynamics and day to day ops that you BL’s on here deal with is something in which I’d love to get involved- not actually being a BL, but being one of those names on a call sheet and doing what I can to make myself a desirable player to a band. Also, playing with people who pride themselves on their craft and are serious about it is something I’ve only barely tasted over my “career”.

I’ve only ever been in hobby bands, don’t know any jazz standards, can’t read sheets, don’t have a deep (read:any) repertoire of already learned pop/country/classic songs, and only know rudimentary theory so right now I’m effectively useless to a working band, particularly in this competitive area.

But as I get older (only 31), it’s becoming more and more appealing to put in the work to learn what I need and join the party. I’ve got a very flexible day job (WFH M-F, no nights or weekends), no kids/pets, so I wouldn’t rely on gigging for bills/rent, and I think I’d have plenty of time to put in the work. $50-$100 or more to play out? Yes please! I’ve lugged equipment, drove hours away, set up, took down, etc for free for the last 10 years, so any monetary reward for doing what I already enjoy sounds good to me.

Haven’t read the thread in a few days, but interestingly enough about 2 days after I posted this, I was contacted by a BL for a spot in a cover/tribute band that usually pays at least $100 for a 45-60 minute gig. Band has headlined at the Whiskey, Viper Room etc, and has done some fly out dates (one in Atlanta where after airfare, they pocketed about $300 per person).

Working on the second of two “audition videos” of me playing a couple tunes at the moment. I got good feedback on the first one I sent last night, which is the harder of the two. Just waiting for the neighbors to get up and moving so I can record the second one. Spoke to the BL on the phone and he seems like a cool dude; we def jive and agree on a lot of aspects of band management so hopefully my playing and personality are good enough to score the gig!

Ask, and the universe shall provide!

 

[QORC]

I need the universe to provide for me then. I've been in start and stop mode for too long

 

[trailer]

i don't have a problem with any musician who has a minimum. it's their business. IME: some are worth it. most are not.

anyone/everyone who sets a minimum = realizes that it's just for the moment, i.e., for as long as they can get it, until circumstances change (market and/or personal).

it has always been that way in the music business (any business, really) and it applies to individuals and bands.

it sounds like a few of you cats are doing well. some/most of you are lucky. some are just bragging on a forum where it's easy to brag and inflate. but all of you are on TB talking about it. in the real world: the best-paid musicians/entertainers are way too busy...at least for the moment --- if they're lucky!

I am indeed very busy...with my band. Most people know that and they also know that if I'm available I'm worth what I ask for.

 

[matthewbrown]

If the BL I work for is booking the band a cut rates in for-profit venues, I have a problem. Especially if the rate is about half what I would normally play for. It puts the band in competition with musicians I know and respect, and who deserve better pay. It also puts me in the awkward position of agreeing to gigs for a rate that's too low AND alienating my friends and colleagues on the scene for doing so. Selling a quartet at the rate of a duo is, IMHO, shooting yourself in the foot, unless it's for a non-profit or a benefit.

 

[Eilif]

Late to the party, but I think it's refreshing when a musician says "Here's my price and that's that".

My situation is a bit different, but still has bearing I think. My regular bandleader and I have an agreement about what I make. It is significantly less than $175 but it is a set amount I'm happy with and I get it every time, approximately once a week. It has been the same since I joined a year and a half ago. My rate has absolutely no bearing on what other members of the band (all of whom came after me) are willing to work for. Maybe once a month or two I'll do the leader a favor and do a midweek low-or-no-pay tryout gig or some such, but my rate is what it is and that's that.

The best thing about a set rate is that it takes complications regarding constantly negotiating rates and expectations-of-rates out of the situation.

 

[Jay Corwin]

If you treat it like a business, or it is your business/job.....then you can't get upset with the guys you employ doing the same.

Employees ask for raises all the time.