The decline of live music is hardly the fault of freebies, or at least that's only a fraction of the reason. The real reasons which make up the bulk of that are DUI laws, and VASTLY increased options for high quality home entertainment.
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Need help setting someone straight - your POV please
- Thread starter CanaDave
- Start date
Agree about the DUI laws, and you can add the proliferation of gambling 'boats' to the mix as well.
Though I appreciate the convenience, and make use of it, I think it's kind of sad in a way .... people need to get out of the house and interact with other people to keep their sanity.
Obviously I wasn't there, so I don't have the full effect. As I understand it, you bragged on your wife's singing voice. The hosts and guests were intrigued and asked to hear her sing, and you shut it down. This is quite a different situation than the OP presented. You guys were kind of rude. Not rude to the point I wouldn't ask you over again but I wouldn't be interested in anyone's singing voice or to hear about it anymore.
No...you read it wrong...I did not brag on my wife's singing voice. The person who invited us introduced us to their neighbors and made mention of my wife's singing voice. The woman leading the charge in wanting my wife to sing struck me as someone who was not really intrigued with wanting to hear her sing. It was also very obvious for various reasons that she was not a lover of the arts or talent; she was a pompous ass...I can see them a mile away.
There are people out there who appreciate talent and are edified by music while others can take it or leave it. That was the atmosphere in that situation. Likewise, I don't sit in with anyone unless 1) I am asked to and 2) if I have my own bass with me. I don't want anyone touching my gear if I don't know them and I would not expect anyone to make an exception with me. It's their gig; not mine.
I love to play and love crowds, who doesn't!? I have a rule that has been agreed upon by the 4 if us. We do 2 "worth while " free benefits a year. It's up to me to make sure the need for free is legit. We come from all over the state and driving / gas is now an issue as it should be.
Our time, load in and load out are worth something as well. We love to play and yes, it's fun. But, there is also the work aspect that's needs to be considered. Playing is the fun, everything else is work deserving compensation. Just my opinion.
Not exactly relevant but. Over the past year I couldn't figure out why our gigs were going down. I made inquires and found out why. Beer n burger bands were taking some control of the venue's we had played for years. Almost playing for nothing. Then one day I get a phone call from a long time venue that we had seemingly lost. Bruce, Don, you have a minute? Yes sir I do, what's up? Uh, we haven't had you guys play for about 6 months. I would like to have you back in 2 weeks if possible?
I asked him the necessary question. Why haven't we been?? Well, I went on the cheap. But, we got what we paid for. Crowds were dwindling and I'm starting to lose my ass. People were constantly asking where you guys were? I told them you were busy, I lied.
Well, we are busy I said but, I don't like losing venue's like yours by band(s) backdooring us. Don: are you busy in 2 weeks? I will look, hold on. No, it's the only weekend we have open for the next month. If you want us we are available. So, playing for free is alive and well and hurting us long time working bands. Like it or not, I think it's a sign of the times.
Our time, load in and load out are worth something as well. We love to play and yes, it's fun. But, there is also the work aspect that's needs to be considered. Playing is the fun, everything else is work deserving compensation. Just my opinion.
Not exactly relevant but. Over the past year I couldn't figure out why our gigs were going down. I made inquires and found out why. Beer n burger bands were taking some control of the venue's we had played for years. Almost playing for nothing. Then one day I get a phone call from a long time venue that we had seemingly lost. Bruce, Don, you have a minute? Yes sir I do, what's up? Uh, we haven't had you guys play for about 6 months. I would like to have you back in 2 weeks if possible?
I asked him the necessary question. Why haven't we been?? Well, I went on the cheap. But, we got what we paid for. Crowds were dwindling and I'm starting to lose my ass. People were constantly asking where you guys were? I told them you were busy, I lied.
Well, we are busy I said but, I don't like losing venue's like yours by band(s) backdooring us. Don: are you busy in 2 weeks? I will look, hold on. No, it's the only weekend we have open for the next month. If you want us we are available. So, playing for free is alive and well and hurting us long time working bands. Like it or not, I think it's a sign of the times.
Good point, like the old saying...we play for free but we DO charge for moving all of this equipment.
I will play for free beer and food, but not unless it's a just a jam. Any gig that I have to prepare for, drive to, and load in or out and I require a minimum of 60$ otherwise I might as well stay home a play Xbox.
Don't play with him anymore. And you can tell him I said this: Stop playing music. STOP. These gigs could have gone to pros who need the work, and you come in and work for free. The fact that he and others like them do what they do is why music is such a hard thing to make a living at.
Union scale, though . . . . very few gigs that I have done have been regulated in this way. I usually get paid a base rate (each band is different) and then extra for overtime and travel.
