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SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC!?!?

jive1

jive1

Commercial User
Jan 16, 2003
12,525
4,060
55
Alexandria,VA
www.jivesound.com
Disclosures
Owner/Retailer: Jive Sound
#1
Am I the only one that seems to think that there are lots of guys who shout out about supporting local music while they are pimping and skimming off local musicians?

I'm not talking about people on this forum. I'm talking about guys in the local scene. Bars that do pay to play, or don't pay. Promoters who scam bands. Agents who skim off the top without providing any value.

Sometimes "Support Local Music" sounds like fleas and ticks saying "Support Dogs and Cats". Or ants saying "Support Picnics".
 
#9
jive1 said:
Promoters who scam bands. Agents who skim off the top without providing any value.
Click to expand...



We were supposed to play a big outdoor bike fest at the speedway (Race track, not the gas station) a couple weeks ago.

It was "postponed" until fall, and now it's been canceled.

Seems the guy in charge of running things stiffed a lot of national acts, as well as the venue, and took off with all the money from investors and ticket sales........:rollno:

When the story first broke he was wanted for stealing $200,000.00 I heard last week from a guy that he used to deal with that the number is closer to 2 million now. (I guess he'd been skimming for years.)
 
#10
Phalex said:
We were supposed to play a big outdoor bike fest at the speedway (Race track, not the gas station) a couple weeks ago.

It was "postponed" until fall, and now it's been canceled.

Seems the guy in charge of running things stiffed a lot of national acts, as well as the venue, and took off with all the money from investors and ticket sales........:rollno:

When the story first broke he was wanted for stealing $200,000.00 I heard last week from a guy that he used to deal with that the number is closer to 2 million now. (I guess he'd been skimming for years.)
Click to expand...

Nice...:scowl:
 
#11
I have mixed feelings about these sayings and other things.
On one hand I want support for local bands and musician scenes
OTOH i really hate the parasites, touters, critics, pay2play, clubs that don't pay.........
Then again I feel something like a hypocrite because I generally don't go out unless I have a gig, it has to be something really special to get me to go out on my few nites off.
 
#12
Marko5657 said:
Bars, promoters, agents are not on the side of musicians- their job is to exploit musicians, but this should be obvious to all.
Click to expand...

I'm not saying there aren't any parasites, but...

A local music scene is not just bands and fans.
Many venues in my area were founded and staffed by people who are wholly immersed in and dedicated to the local music scene,
and struggle with the unpleasant economic realities of bar/club ownership in order to provide a place for local music to thrive.
The same goes for promoters and agents. They are monetarily unrewarding tasks which they do out of genuine enthusiasm.

Around here at least the scene is greatly self correcting :
people who routinely screw the musicians are constantly derided on Craig's list,
and some musicians have even organized block outs of a local pay to play (ticket pre-sale scam) venue...

To look down our noses at club owners, promoters and agents and view them as enemies
is an attitude that is just as likely to harm the local music scene as a parasitic promoter/agent/bar owner.
everyone from the band and fans to the club owners, promoters and agents need the music to thrive. we're all be on the same side.
I say give 'em the benfit of the doubt unless you hear/experience otherwise.
 
#13
mambo4 said:
I'm not saying there aren't any parasites, but...

A local music scene is not just bands and fans.
Many venues in my area were founded and staffed by people who are wholly immersed in and dedicated to the local music scene,
and struggle with the unpleasant economic realities of bar/club ownership in order to provide a place for local music to thrive.
The same goes for promoters and agents. They are monetarily unrewarding tasks which they do out of genuine enthusiasm.

Around here at least the scene is greatly self correcting :
people who routinely screw the musicians are constantly derided on Craig's list,
and some musicians have even organized block outs of a local pay to play (ticket pre-sale scam) venue...

To look down our noses at club owners, promoters and agents and view them as enemies
is an attitude that is just as likely to harm the local music scene as a parasitic promoter/agent/bar owner.
I say give 'em the benfit of the doubt unless you hear/experience otherwise.
Click to expand...

Fair point. :)
 
#15
somegeezer said:
That's exactly what it is. I've never been paid for a gig in my life.
Click to expand...

If you have never been paid for a gig in your life, there are four reasons: You didn't ask to be paid, you are not very good, you have no negotiating skills, your manager sucks!

Noy trying to be rude, but the only time I haven't been paid is when I agreed to play benefits for a worthy cause.
 
#16
If a venue owner wants to support local music he should PAY local musicians. If a listener wants to support local music he should PAY the cover and buy a CD. If a musician wants to support local music he should not PAY to play, and insist to get PAID when he does. Anything else is just touchy-feely feel-good rhetoric.
 
#17
RustyAxe said:
If a venue owner wants to support local music he should PAY local musicians. If a listener wants to support local music he should PAY the cover and buy a CD. If a musician wants to support local music he should not PAY to play, and insist to get PAID when he does. Anything else is just touchy-feely feel-good rhetoric.
Click to expand...

I agree whole heartedly. Sometimes the best way to support local music is to make sure the musicians get paid.
 

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