Gigging, and a Message to LA Club Owners

[ah.clem]

Originally Posted by Patrick2

. . . would that be any different than when you worked for only $25 per night because you were just starting to learn the trade? Was there a concern that you were keeping "real musicians" from earning a higher income by taking a job that they might have been able to book for a hight rate?

Like I said, it's my opinion. 40 years ago $125 a night 2-3 nights a week in a neighborhood bar in a small town was the going rate for "real musicians"... just because we were learning how the nightclub business worked didn't mean we weren't competent players; just not wise to the ways of dealing with club owners.

Just because we love it. . . that doesn't make it valuable to everyone else.

And that is exactly why I decided to get a better education and make a decent living doing something else and play when and with whom I choose. Frankly, I don't care if someone plays for free at a venue; I think it's foolish but it's no skin off my nose. The winner is (and pretty much always has been) the club owners.

As I said, just my opinion. I am quite willing to agree to disagree and move on.

[monk]

As ah.clem points out, forty years ago, $25 per night was pretty much the going rate for professional musicians. The Federal minimum wage was $1.60 per hour. Gasoline in the States averaged 25 cents per gallon and twenty dollars would buy two weeks worth of groceries.

A musician working three to five nights per week could make a good middle class living and if they taught, could even make an upper middle class living.

The price of everything has risen over the ensuing years but working wages for musicians have not kept apace.

A restaurant or club owner is running a business for sure and if they can get someone to work for 1972 wages they'll do it. And you can also be certain that they will charge their customers 2012 prices.

[Patrick2]

I just went back to review ah.chem's post. It did not mention anything about 40 years ago. That's why I posted the reply. I agree, $125 per night for a combo in 1972-ish didn't suck. But, there was no reference to 40 years ago.

Even though, I do agree with his logic on the jump away from the uncertainties of full time work as a musician. It's the same reason I haven't gigged full time for some 30 years. It wasn't only the low pay. But, also the uncertainty of the other wackos in the band . . . what ever band it happened to be at the time. I had a family that was more important to me that my emotional needs to perform. . . and without 5 or 6 or 7 other musicians personalities hindering me . . . I was able to move on and make a better life for my family than my limited talents would ever allow. I've always missed gigging and recording . . . but, I've never regretted my decision.

[monk]

Originally Posted by Patrick2

I just went back to review ah.chem's post. It did not mention anything about 40 years ago. That's why I posted the reply. I agree, $125 per night for a combo in 1972-ish didn't suck. But, there was no reference to 40 years ago.

Post #31

[Patrick2]

Originally Posted by monk

Post #31

Yep I saw it later in post number 31. But, my post was in response to his earlier post, #29, where he originally referenced the $125 per combo and $25 per man. His response in #31, then further explained the year. Unless I'm missing something? It's still early in the day on Sunday and I haven't started my treaditional Festa Italiano, which usually includes fine red Italian wines in unhealthy quantities . . . but, still . . . I could be wrong. I mean, hey . . there's a first time for everything . . right??

[ah.clem]

Sorry, Folks. I'm at that age where I think everyone is my age; it drives my wife crazy... <chuckle>

[AlsoRan]

The downside of capitalism is that something you like might not be in demand, and then the price drops, the supply dwindles, and the service or product is in danger of extinction.

I am just happy for all of my Jazz brothers and sisters who have been able to find other ways to gain income, even if they had to give up their dream. Sounds like some of you have learned to enjoy just making good music with friends, and you don't need adulation and cheers from a crowd.

What a journey life is.