Would you play a gig for twenty-five cents?

[Spidey2112]

About 35 years ago (back in my actively gigging days), I was playing in Top-40 cover bands, but was offered a chance to play a short, one-time gig with a jazz/funk band. After talking about the gig for a bit (on the phone), I asked the fellow how much it would pay. He said it would be "about twenty five cents a night". I was used to my share of a gig being in the neighborhood of $30-$50, so I was naturally taken aback. I replied, something to the effect of "you must be kidding - I couldn't do it for so little". He replied that he might be able to get me as much as thirty-five cents, but that would be about it. I politely declined, and that was the end of it. Some time later, I heard that he was using some sort of "band lingo" and that "twenty-five cents" actually meant $25.

Is that true? Have any of you heard of this way of referring to payment as "cents" instead of "dollars"? Is it peculiar to a particular genre or style of music?

Who knows what '50 Cent' is actually worth? Probably millions...

 

[john_g]

I played a gig three weekends ago at a nice new venue down in GA, and it was my understanding that we each had a bar and food allowance. I came to discover that was not the case at the end of the night. I was too tired and indifferent to squabble, so I just settled up and considered it a lesson learned.

After covering appetizers, my dinner and a couple beers, my GF's dinner and her three watermelon margarita thingies, the few refreshments I bought for a buddy and his wife, and the tip, I probably did clear about 25 cents. So my tentative answer to your question is yes.

Ha...been there a bunch of times! Actually, Ive ended up losing money at gigs doing this!

 

[micguy]

I play at church. I do get paid in food sometimes.

 

[pasmithy]

Never heard of it that way...

though I do know way back in the day, a "dime bag" was $10 and a "nickel bag" was $5. So 25 cents makes sense as $25. Maybe you just weren't "hip" enough. I know I would have been thinking exactly as you did though...

 

[Felken]

Of course!

 

[Sigurd]

Our band is a regular fixture at the Alpine Kiwanis Brat Days. We get paid in brats and chips. The band I sit in with played for three hours last night. A stack of four pizzas for the band and bottomless beer. No complaints, really.

 

[40Hz]

Sounds like one of those "in" expressions.

 

[Nev375]

Yes. this is a thing. The first time I heard it apparently the look on my face was obvious enough to prompt the explanation.

 

[two fingers]

About 35 years ago (back in my actively gigging days), I was playing in Top-40 cover bands, but was offered a chance to play a short, one-time gig with a jazz/funk band. After talking about the gig for a bit (on the phone), I asked the fellow how much it would pay. He said it would be "about twenty five cents a night". I was used to my share of a gig being in the neighborhood of $30-$50, so I was naturally taken aback. I replied, something to the effect of "you must be kidding - I couldn't do it for so little". He replied that he might be able to get me as much as thirty-five cents, but that would be about it. I politely declined, and that was the end of it. Some time later, I heard that he was using some sort of "band lingo" and that "twenty-five cents" actually meant $25.

Is that true? Have any of you heard of this way of referring to payment as "cents" instead of "dollars"? Is it peculiar to a particular genre or style of music?

I played a boatload of gigs during that timeframe and I never heard 25 cents = $25. The usual rate back then for Top 40 bands was anywhere from $35 - $55 per night.

35 years ago it was about what you'd expect. Consider that TODAY - $50 a head is normal for *four* sets of classic rock work.

And no - I won't do it either. Been there, done that, changed the channel.

In Chicago it has been 100.00 a night....since at least 1985.

Apparently musicians are exempt for inflation.

A lot must have happened between 1982 and 1986 when I started playing out. I was 15 but the rest of the band were in their 30s. We played classic rock in small town bars and I rarely made less than $150.

These days, unless it's a charity event or church, I'm not putting my bass in the truck for less than $100. I'm practicing songs as we speak for a little bar band that has never played together and we already have shows on the books for over $150 a head five pieces and a sound guy with provided FOH. Of course, this is just a fun side gig for all of us and we won't be doing 8 gigs a month with it. Maybe 10 weekends a year altogether. But still...

 

[Element Zero]

I'd play a gig for free as long as the music is loud and I can hear my tone. Couldn't care less about money.

 

[Spiketronic]

I always spend more at the bar than I make at the gig, so it don't make me no nevermind.....

 

[selowitch]

I'd sooner play for nothing than play for a measly .25￠.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I've played for less but that is weird. Gotta be some type of sarcastic joke. I'd rather play a freebie than play for change.

 

[McG]

One time our quartet was playing for tips at a coffee house. Deadest room ever. End of the night there was $1 in the tip jar. Just for giggles we had the cashier break it for us. So yes, I've played for 25 cents

 

[Ric5]

About 35 years ago (back in my actively gigging days), I was playing in Top-40 cover bands, but was offered a chance to play a short, one-time gig with a jazz/funk band. After talking about the gig for a bit (on the phone), I asked the fellow how much it would pay. He said it would be "about twenty five cents a night". I was used to my share of a gig being in the neighborhood of $30-$50, so I was naturally taken aback. I replied, something to the effect of "you must be kidding - I couldn't do it for so little". He replied that he might be able to get me as much as thirty-five cents, but that would be about it. I politely declined, and that was the end of it. Some time later, I heard that he was using some sort of "band lingo" and that "twenty-five cents" actually meant $25.

Is that true? Have any of you heard of this way of referring to payment as "cents" instead of "dollars"? Is it peculiar to a particular genre or style of music?

I could make a couple hundred dollars playing back in the 70s ... It makes me glad I went to college and got a good day job

 

[JimmyM]

I may joke about a lot of things, but money is not one of them. Don't play games with my money!

 

[NigelD]

25 cent =25$ .50=50$ .75 =75$ is pretty common lingo.( blues r&b circuit)


9

 

[Hambone 70]

I would!

We pay others to listen to us... or not...

 

[Meghans Dad]

My guitar/ bass teacher has a really awesome gig with a band from the 70's. Yeah, I'd pay 25 cents to play with them!

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

A lot must have happened between 1982 and 1986 when I started playing out. I was 15 but the rest of the band were in their 30s. We played classic rock in small town bars and I rarely made less than $150.

These days, unless it's a charity event or church, I'm not putting my bass in the truck for less than $100. I'm practicing songs as we speak for a little bar band that has never played together and we already have shows on the books for over $150 a head five pieces and a sound guy with provided FOH. Of course, this is just a fun side gig for all of us and we won't be doing 8 gigs a month with it. Maybe 10 weekends a year altogether. But still...

I'll play original music *if it's good* - and I'll do it for free or beer money. But I just got offered a gig with (yet another) female fronted classic rock band here in town - Zep, Heart, Pat Benetar - four sets of that dreck for $50? I'd rather spend my time working at Home Depot.