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Post by JamesP on May 2, 2015 13:41:34 GMT -5
Does anyone here play professionally, and if so, how are you compensated?
It's been many, many years since I actually played professionally, and then it was a pretty strict scale, Gigs,not counting session work, was pretty meager for several hours of playing...less than 50¢ an hour. Of course, that was the 50s when the average wage was aboit 30 to 50¢ an hour...
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Post by Pistol Pete on May 13, 2015 9:32:01 GMT -5
I made the leap from part-time to full time musician a few weeks ago. Not sure how long I'll be able to sustain it but I felt like I had to try.
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Post by voodoo on May 14, 2015 6:01:54 GMT -5
FORST N FOREMOST GOOD FOR U PETE, I know this took a lot of thought n aim sure u r still wondering if it was the right choice... well it's better to know the truth than to have never tried n wondered forever if it would have worked. I wish u all the luck in the world n hope u get what U r hoping for as a full time player. U can get your name out there even more offering yourself to certain studios as a session player. EXPOSRe exposure exposure.. The more they hear your name the more they,ll pay attention . GOD SPEED.....james
I had my share of getting NOTHING to $50.00 and some when we settled the bar bill WE OWED them money
Later we got a manager it's his,job to increase your pay,net n he works for 15 percent so it's a good idea plus nobody in the biz wants to talk,to,band members
Believe it or not we went for, getting a grand for one 45 minute set as the opening act for a NAMED headliner to $2500.00
The manager said the only way we get more is to,play less n charge more BUT U guys have to,pack the joint so after a long tour with a lot of great headliners we started at $2500.00 for two sets one at midnight n one at 2 am each an hour long, The more people u can pack in the more they,ll pay ya
We topped off at $7500 for two sets but we were the headliner n playing less....That was they key according to what our manager said..... Leave me wanting more so when ya do,play people show up not knowing when u will be back
Alot is in marketing if the people think,they r missing something they will come, if the club owner think the r missing out they will,pay more this is why u need a manager, PR people atty,s n a label,behind ya.....
But remember when MONEY comes into play so does GREED, so ya spend more to have people watching the people near the cash
a solid contract will ensure u get what was promised by the club right down to the food in the dressing room, an airtight contract with the manager will STILL not keep.him from skimming cash but a good atty will catch him, n the. Ya have to have one person ya trust to watch over all the watchers....
No matter how many professional u have every musician has been and will continue to be, it's part of the biz ......
when the arty n manager agreed to CHARGE MORE n it does something g psychologically to club owners so they pay more just to have u at there club but to make this plan work u must say NO to some gigs even when u r available.....It gives them a different look at your band now thinking they better book ya know for the year than wait to calla month before they want ya n U R NEVER available at a last minute call...
I was willing to,play cause I just liked playing, but from a business stand point, LESS PAYS more in time.....
This biz is crazy.... But we r a bit crazy ourselves.....
Try it it works
James
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Post by jmuscara on May 14, 2015 6:52:02 GMT -5
Good luck, Pete!
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Post by voodoo on May 30, 2015 11:44:58 GMT -5
hey Pete,HOWS IT GOING?? Any news??
I been down awhile.. Had heart surgery again !!!
Was wondering how u r doing n if things r climbing?
i forgot to tell u one HUGE HINT....
NEVER EVERE EVER have a band member even yourself go to a club to represent u !!!!! They,ll toss your cd in the trash right after ya leave..... Before I had a real manager, I got the HOTTEST CHIC I could find to go in barely dressed distracting the owner fro. Such things like MONEY ,etc. U will not only get the gig but for good CASH!!!!! MAKE AURE EVERY GIG OR CLUB U GO TO GET U HAVE A REAL.contract with what u want in dressing room to how many sets, everything so it is PURE BIZ As BB Kingpnce told me?. If ya look n act professional they r more likely to take u as a pro.
BB did it because he wa black breaking into a white mans world.... But that was why he n Muddy n all the hero,s we have had ONE SUIT but it was clean , shoes spit shined etc....
But seriously... NEVER represent yourself,,,,, it,ll kill ya..
I hope ya see how important this is n remember U GET ONE SHOT TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION......
Good luck james
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Post by Pistol Pete on Jun 1, 2015 4:51:24 GMT -5
It's going OK at the minute thanks voodoo - at the moment I'm still doing the same kind of gigs I was taking before, but doing lots more of them & travelling a bit further afield. I did a solo tour of Scotland in April & May that very nearly broke even (too many gaps where I was paying for accommodation but not making money - lesson learned), but I did do a support for Stefan Grossman and got to meet him I also made some good contacts and will be heading back next year. I have some good festivals lined up over the summer, including one in Ireland that allow me to do a short tour over there. My plan at the minute, after talking to Marcus Bonfanti's manager at one of his gigs, is to spend a year as a one man operation, achieving as much as I can and then looking for some kind of representation once I have bit more on my CV.
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Post by voodoo on Jun 1, 2015 7:26:03 GMT -5
OUT FRIGGEN STAnding Pete !!!!!
Its not easy n there will be times when your pocket, stomach are filled n times when they aren't, it's all part of,the learning curve, After awhile u will,know when to have gigs but not to many to be overexposed lowering your,value.
Finding that medium to where u r doing good n have content cash n no money is a fine line, but it seems if u r working with guys like Steffan..... U r on your way.... Enjoy the trip... It's a dream come true
james
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Post by JamesP on Jun 1, 2015 12:41:46 GMT -5
Getting work in studios is a full time job in itrself, at least it was 60 years ago. Helps if you are a good songwriter though. (Not that I would know)
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