Thunderbird Club

[Gaolee]

I learned to accept long ago that artists are held in contempt out of jealousy of lack of talent and/or creative impulses. Stone cold fact.

This is true no matter the art. Those who manipulate do better economically than those who make anything.

 

[JIO]

This is true no matter the art. Those who manipulate do better economically than those who make anything.

A skill is commendable - a gift is either given or not. Both require hard work and conviction, and knowing the right people.

 

[Count Bassie]

Glad to hear an example of people standing up against such. The problem with musicians shaking the tree with a club to address things that would be more equitable for all (bands & establishment) is that even if you could get a few bands to stand with you - there are so many others who would gladly take your slot regardless of how they are treated. That's why they can get away with it and always will.

Annnnnd you get what you pay for. Clubs with a good standard of product and service, and good entertainment last.
I think, anyway!

 

[Engle]

I may have been being a wiseass. One never knows. But, I think the whole situation with playing is BS. Any rational person would not waste his or her time to do this. We spend countless hours learning to play competently, then spend countless hours learning to play competently as a band in order to schlep equipment to some clown's establishment in order to provide entertainment to people who may or may not notice that we are not a juke box. Then we have the privilege of paying fuel costs to get there AND pay for a beer or a cola. I rationalize it by comparing the cost to motorcycle racing or the likelihood of career altering injury from rugby and figure it is ok after all. That is what I would be doing if I wasn't doing this. Prespective and rationalization provide plenty of motivation. Plus, who wants to watch tv in the evening anyway?

I’m going to play Music as long as I can cause I have to - just don’t do the math

 

[JIO]

Annnnnd you get what you pay for. Clubs with a good standard of product and service, and good entertainment last.
I think, anyway!

If that can happen - then change for the better is possible

 

[Count Bassie]

If that can happen - then change for the better is possible

Chan's in Woonsocket, RI is an example. Been there a long time- kind of a dinner club and bar, they have a lot of local and otherwise top-shelf jazz and blues acts. You used to be able to see shows broadcast on local cable. I don't have tv so I don't know if they still do that.

 

[Kriegs]

Chan's in Woonsocket, RI is an example. Been there a long time- kind of a dinner club and bar, they have a lot of local and otherwise top-shelf jazz and blues acts. You used to be able to see shows broadcast on local cable. I don't have tv so I don't know if they still do that.

CHAN'S!!!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Chan's in Woonsocket, RI is an example. Been there a long time- kind of a dinner club and bar, they have a lot of local and otherwise top-shelf jazz and blues acts. You used to be able to see shows broadcast on local cable. I don't have tv so I don't know if they still do that.

I had no idea there were two Woonsockets. (I was surprised to find there were any, but worked with someone born in the SD town of that name.)

 

[Kriegs]

I had no idea there were two Woonsockets. (I was surprised to find there were any, but worked with someone born in the SD town of that name.)

This says all that you need to know about our version of woon-sock-ETTE:

 

[Miles_ONeal]

My two cents:

A club owner is in business, it's his livelihood. He's not the patron of your hobby. Either accept the state of affairs or figure a way around it. Start your own club, you can run it exactly how you wish. Enjoy overhead, hiring /firing, and all the other fun things it entails...like cleaning the toilets.

Of course it is. That's no excuse to treat people like dirt. And in the long run, unless you're already in the top few percent- or just in a really crappy or poor area, working together with good acts will benefit both of you. A lot of the downtown Austin bars struggle. The few who still work *with* musicians tend to do well. Right now almost every musician I know in Austin is working one or two day jobs. A lot of those are in restaurants and coffee shops, so they get to clean toilets. Some of them even get to the point they have to deal with hiring and firing.

 

[JIO]

Of course it is. That's no excuse to treat people like dirt. And in the long run, unless you're already in the top few percent- or just in a really crappy or poor area, working together with good acts will benefit both of you. A lot of the downtown Austin bars struggle. The few who still work *with* musicians tend to do well. Right now almost every musician I know in Austin is working one or two day jobs. A lot of those are in restaurants and coffee shops, so they get to clean toilets. Some of them even get to the point they have to deal with hiring and firing.

+1

 

[MCF]

I met a guy at Bass Northwest who told me he would not play shows no matter what. He only played for himself and did some recording for fun. He said playing gigs was like being a furniture mover with bad hours and worse pay. He had a point. But I have been happily ignoring his advice.

I know it would be fun to play out again. When I did, it was mostly my lead guitarist/singer buddy and I with others floating in and out, depending on what we were doing. When I was in college I met a good drummer and a keyboardist; we mostly did the party thing. In those days police were usually pretty cool about noise complaints. Then the drummer graduated and went to law school and that was pretty much it. It was (mostly) fun for me and I hope to find something when I finally do the Johnny Paycheck thing in a few years. I envy all on here who are able to do it and kinda live vicariously through you all.

 

[JJR58]

I know it would be fun to play out again. I envy all on here who are able to do it and kinda live vicariously through you all.

Same here.

 

[Gaolee]

Of course it is. That's no excuse to treat people like dirt. And in the long run, unless you're already in the top few percent- or just in a really crappy or poor area, working together with good acts will benefit both of you. A lot of the downtown Austin bars struggle. The few who still work *with* musicians tend to do well. Right now almost every musician I know in Austin is working one or two day jobs. A lot of those are in restaurants and coffee shops, so they get to clean toilets. Some of them even get to the point they have to deal with hiring and firing.

My son is patching together a living as a musician. He has had day jobs, but does not at the moment. He plays in multiple bands, plays weddings and corporate events, does arranging work, teaches a bit, and probably a bunch of other music related things that eventually add up. It is not going to make him rich, but it is feeding him and letting him live in an apartment, not under a bridge.

I am lucky in that I like my day job. Music is what I do for the joy of it, not because it has to pay the bills. There are advantages to both approaches.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

My son is patching together a living as a musician. He has had day jobs, but does not at the moment. He plays in multiple bands, plays weddings and corporate events, does arranging work, teaches a bit, and probably a bunch of other music related things that eventually add up. It is not going to make him rich, but it is feeding him and letting him live in an apartment, not under a bridge.

I am lucky in that I like my day job. Music is what I do for the joy of it, not because it has to pay the bills. There are advantages to both approaches.

Yep, and I know musicians who are happy with that, too. For some, it really is a hobby, or a passion they don't want to mix with business, or an addiction, or whatever. There was a time I fully intended to make my living as a rock star. Then I ran smack[1] into the wall of my limitations. Music became a side thing. Back when I was playing guitar and running sound for friends' bands, I typically got paid. Not great, but something.

High tech has been great to me. For a long time it was a passion. I still like it, and it pays well. I've been writing stories on the side for ages, and would love to eventually make that my main gig. (Stretch goal is to rub elbows with J.K. Rowling and her banker, but I need to sell a few more books first).

In the meantime, I never lost my love of music. So I play my THUNDERBIRD on the side, mainly for now at church and the odd wedding or gig sub (the latter two so far on percussion). I even get paid occasionally, which is always a bit of a surprise.

As with most things, it's not exclusive-or but an inclusive-or.

[1] Just an expression. I never did heroin.

 

[BklynKen]

Funderbird Friday?

 

[MCF]

+1

Funderbird Friday?

View attachment 3550155

Nice. Throws me off every time.

 

[BklynKen]

Nice. Throws me off every time.

Comfort zones are overrated.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Funderbird Friday?

View attachment 3550155

A gorgeous RR!

 

[JIO]

As a bit of a weeks end summery on the topic this week of how artists/musicians/creative people are treated in a commercial situation (professional or amateur)

There are many people who do not do obvious creative things like making art or music or whatever any creative person does to exercise their creativity, but they incorporate creativity in their lives. That includes being a creative problem solver, or teacher, or most any walk of life. These people generally get-it - they understand the concept of creativity. Then there are people who do not have fluid access to creativity in their lives. Some of those people have a high regard/respect for creative people for that very reason, while others are jealous and resentful of creative people, again for the same reason. So, if someone gets-it, they are more likely to be open to work with creative people to create a mutually conducive situation. Again - in the broadest sense of the concept - file under "everyone is happy". If more people were like this the world would be a much nicer place to live in. There are pockets of more ideal situations all over the world, but it's always a yin-yang battle with those who use their self-assumed superiority to control and dominate instead of creatively working together for the greater good. This is not to say that creatively inclined people don't abuse their "entitlement" (in quotes meaning I do not think anyone is entitled to anything they haven't earned) but a constant demeaning of another usually leads to reciprocal abuse as a form of "getting back" at the person demeaning them. As in, if reasonable good-will has been established from the start - it will (optimally) inspire like-minded follow-through. Sounds like an optimist point of view but as a person of realist/romantic blend - it's my hopeful side showing and what I strive for generally in my life. (even knowing what I'm up against!)