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Double Bass Paying gigs

Steve Killingsworth

Steve Killingsworth

Aug 25, 2002
1,051
161
West Tennessee
#1
I have never expected to get rich playing bluegrass but it is nice to get enough money to cover the gas bill to and from a gig.

For the last several years most of the better festivals around here payed $5-700 for 3 shows (1 Friday night and 2 on Saturday) but lately, it seems to be slipping to half or less of that. Split between 5-6 band members, that doesn't go far.

Individual performances seem to be paying less and less.
Last month I played a show with a group down in Mississippi about 60 miles away. It was in a small building but packed to the walls with a very enthusiastic crowd. We followed a country band and ended up playing several extra tunes because the crowd really got in to the bluegrass. The MC took up a collection so "we can start paying the musicians." The suprise came when we got nothing. Evidently, they planned on "starting" to pay the musicians later on.

I really don't mind playing benefit shows and the like for no money but I see it little different when I play before a paying crowd and get nothing out of the deal. Like I said, I don't do this for the money but it is getting more than a little frustrating to spend my time, energy, and gas money for someone else's gain.

I don't know if this is related to a slow economy or if the dwindling bluegrass fan base is just a bunch of tightwads.
 
#2
I suspect gas prices have something to do with it. The cost of bringing those gas-guzzling campers to a festival has tripled and more, and attendance is down because of it. Promoters are reluctant to increase (or maintain) revenues by raising ticket prices.

A good friend who is a promoter once told me that bands are often rated by the pay they are willing to accept. Once they know you'll play for $100, you will be branded as a $100 dollar band and you won't be offered $200. According to him, it's better to set a price that reflects the quality of your product and insist that you're worth it - even if it means you lose a few gigs.
 
#4
Last night I sat in with a group at a place where we have played several times but come the end of the night, we only made $75 each instead of the $100 that we usually get for that 4 hour job. They said that is all they had but maybe next time they could afford more which also means it could be less. I've also seen a decline in money as well as the number of opportunities. I'm sure a lot of the reason is the economy but it is not like I am better off.

I've had discussions that the jams are also part of that problem. If people can go any Friday or Saturday evening to listen to the music for free then they are not likely to spend their gas money to go to an event and pay to get in the door as well. The county puts on free festivals at 2 of their parks each year and they are well attended but the local festivals that charge to get in have seen a large decline in attendance. There are a couple of big festivals around here and they are still thriving but they happen during the time of year when a lot of people are travelling through the state.

I sit in with several groups but I'm not currently in a regular practicing band so work is sporadic. I like to go to the jams, it gives me an opportunity to play on a regular basis and with different people but it is like we are hurting ourselves. It's kinda like "danged if you do and danged if you don't" but I am also terrible at practicing enough at home to keep myself in shape to do a 4 hour job.
 
#5
a lil while back, i had the opportunity to do my first paid gig! just a quick 1 hour show, for a business convention! and it was our mandolin player, who had kindof set it up!! we did the 1 hr.. and while we were packin up. the convention manager lady came over and thanked us!!:) and said , ok "now i need to pay ya" and our mandolin buddy quickly gave her this startled stare, and shrugged it off, and told her to talk to him later... me/bass and banjoist and guitarist just looked at each other but said nothing.. till this day we still laugh when the subject comes up!!:confused:
 
#6
My 5-piece "jammy" bluegrass string band, Link Removed, is the only "working" band out of the 4 i'm currently in. The only one making money regularly. I love it and it's fun to play, the crowds are always the best and ready to have a good time, drinkin' and dancin'. If we're playing for a set price, it's $900-1500 for 2 sets (hour each, 10-15min break). if we're getting $5 at the door, then it ends up generally in the same ballpark.
we made out like bandits at our cd release party last weekend (past capacity in the bar, 200+, and 80 bought cds).
But we've kinda found the niche up here in the NW, during the winter we play the ski resorts (flat rate) and mountain bars (door), and then during the summer play the festivals (no pay) and weddings (the real money makers).
 

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