Real Musicians don't make money.

[ThinCrappyTone]

Almost got into a fist fight on Saturday. I had a punter tell me I wasn't real musician because I had a day job. He was the real deal because music was his passion, he'd just travelled the country playing drums and never got paid for one gig.

He wore this like a badge of honour. He was proud of the fact he never accepted a cent for performing. He was actually offended, to the point of aggression, when he realised we were being paid to play the "lame cover songs" that his girlfriend had been dancing to all night.

The fellow just couldn't accept that someone could enjoy playing different styles of music, or you know need money to pay a mortgage.

It's been a long while since I've felt that close to a fight, but this guy was ready punch-on just to prove he was a more passionate musician.

Other than that It was an outstanding gig at a beach-side pub.

Sorry he got under your skin, my friend. I feel your pain. It's hard to ignore people if they catch you at the wrong moment and say the right thing. But in reality, he's just a real life troll. Same technique to use for internet trolls: Ignore. Do not engage. Easier said than done though, sometimes!

 

[ThePresident777]

So those people in the philharmonic aren't real musicians?

Nope. They're just formal wear models. They put on quite a production just to show off some rags.

 

[Gaolee]

I'm always flattered that anybody would pay real cash dollars to hear me hack away on any instrument. It's good for my ego, and if a drunk wants to make an issue of it, I figure I'm getting paid, and he's not. That proves my vastly superior skills in something or another.

Then I get up the next day and go to my day job. Oh, well. I'm not a real musician. Just a roadie who hangs out on stage off and on.

 

[cman227]

Just curious, had you been drinking? Alcohol makes idiot's opinions seem far more important than they are. If you weren't drinking, why would you even pay him any mind. Seems a smile and an, "OK," would have been a sufficient response.

Alcohol also makes your own opinions seem brilliant, so it kind of evens out

 

[Joe Ty]

Here I thought a punter was an American football term.

 

[Joe Ty]

The advantage of being 5'8" and 160 lbs is you tend to avoid confrontations like this and the next morning you don't care anymore.

 

[GTx2]

OP, the guy didn't have a problem with you, he has a problem with himself.

Do your thing (and do it well). Obv when you get someone like this you have to be sure you don't spend any emotional energy on them, it just isn't worth it.

 

[MojoPenguin]

 

[Joe Ty]

If folks who aren't friends and family show up to watch you play, you're a musician. I am still just a hobbyist as I'm not there yet, and I respect all of you who are, regardless of what you get paid.

 

[jon mccumber]

I always consider myself a semi- professional musician, I do get paid to play but its not how I make a living.

 

[mjmeche]

I'm not a real musician so I can get away with playing for free since I'm not really playing an instrument since I'm not a real musician getting paid to play.

 

[dbase]

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I'm always flattered that anybody would pay real cash dollars to hear me hack away on any instrument. It's good for my ego, and if a drunk wants to make an issue of it, I figure I'm getting paid, and he's not. That proves my vastly superior skills in something or another.

Then I get up the next day and go to my day job. Oh, well. I'm not a real musician. Just a roadie who hangs out on stage off and on.

The drummer in my Willie tribute band, at the end of every gig when the audience has clapped, cheered, and given us a standing ovation, he always says, "Well, it looks like we fooled'em again!" I love that guy, even though he's got a day job too.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[ak56]

... he'd just travelled the country playing drums and never got paid for one gig.

 

[buldog5151bass]

So the Beatles, Charlie Parker, Yo Yo Ma, Miles Davis, etc. are/were not real musicians, since they received money to play, and played music written by other people.

Sounds like maybe he was trying to justify his life choice to his girlfriend.

Nod and smile. Nod and smile. And cash the check at the end of the night.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Do the bars pay their bands with checks?
sounds risky


There might be some truth to the thread title.
Most of the folks around here who can actually play are dead broke.

 

[jive1]

I don't think I could commit any time and energy beyond an eye-roll for this. Well, maybe if I was feeling generous, I might offer a snicker.

 

[Bipslapper]

Best not to argue with a drunk asshat during a gig, it never ends well. Just revel in the fact that his girl was digging your band....

 

[Deleted member 92857]

Careful, he may be making a living suing people he provokes into hitting him.

"Hmmm, so nobody thinks enough of your musical abilities to pay you? That's sad, dude."

 

[ThePresident777]

I wonder what Mr. Real Musician has to say about this!