Oops, forgot to send an actual reply... Jeremy wrote:
4) Perform your great work live (this is where the money is at the moment) 4) Sell merchandise at performances
In my experience as a performer (45+ years) I'd say that performance isn't the money-maker for most struggling artists. The costs of transportation, gear rental, show management (soundman, lights operator, roadies) can quickly eat the entire paycheck for a club band. Sales of everything from keychains to CD/DVDs is where they can make better money (viz the Kiss story).
It's also worth noting that in my home area (NW Ohio) the pay scale for club musicians hasn't changed significantly in more than thirty years. Most venues don't like paying out more than $300 to $350 for a 4-hour gig, so trios and duets have caught on in a big way around here. In Ye Olden Daze we played clubs three to five nights per week, and the clubs typically hired us for two to three weeks at a time. All that disappeared here in the 1970s when the drinking age was lifted from 18 to 21. Clubs in Ohio wilted like daffodils in the desert, and it was no longer possible to make a nice living playing the club scene.
Incidentally, if you're not geared up for the road, prepare for some notable expenses. You may need your own PA system (a not inconsiderable expense), stage-ready amplifiers, and everything else associated with a stage show. Of course you'll need a capable vehicle too, or be able to afford someone to move your stuff. Then there are managers and booking agents to deal with, and they'll want their share too. Prepping a band/show is a non-trivial exercise in small-to-medium-scale economics. :)
Best, dp _______________________________________________ Linux-audio-user mailing list Linux-audio-user@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx http://lists.linuxaudio.org/listinfo/linux-audio-user
