gig money?

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 4 Dec 2001 2:36 pm

If I had to play weddings or corporate parties, I wouldn't be able to spend the money, no matter how much it was because I would blow my brains out.

erik · Post by **erik** » 4 Dec 2001 7:22 pm

He is filling in for 2 gigs at 2 different venues for the same band. $500 each. Two, 1 1/2hr sets each gig. I'm convinced he's telling me the truth.

I reminded him that that was just about a weeks pay for a nights work. He said he used to do it all the time but gave it up because of going deaf and the extra curricular activities which he didn't want any part of. He's only 32, i think.

Steve Allison · Post by **Steve Allison** » 5 Dec 2001 8:05 am

Do you know how to tell if the stage is level?
THE DRUMMER DRUELS OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF HIS MOUTH !!!!

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 5 Dec 2001 9:46 am

Erik,

I've developed a new appreciation for your pal the drummer. He be one smart dude. I would say that I'd like to know him but I would rather get acquainted with the guy who hired him. That bucko's "The Golden Goose"!

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

John Steele (deceased) · Post by **John Steele (deceased)** » 5 Dec 2001 12:11 pm

Oh....

Deaf drummers are always more expensive.
-John

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 5 Dec 2001 1:15 pm

I got a feeling this is the same guy thats trying to sell that bridge in New York.This time I got to feel the wound.

Erik can I sell you some land down here in fla.?

------------------
CJC

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 5 Dec 2001 3:31 pm

DRUELS ??? sounds serious. I hope he's getting that money, wouldn't it be great if we were paid what we're worth, and don't tell me you're overpaid, Kenneth Lay just buried a company and walked away with $123 mil, Jill Barad, Mattel, lost $200mil for the company and they gave her a $40 million severance package.

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 6 Dec 2001 9:28 am

Thank you, Chas: I've always wondered where the money went when a company like Enron folds and looses 2 or 3 billion dollars for the stock holders. Does that money just vanish or simply disappear ?? Some body gets it somewhere and maybe those severance packages are where it goes.

And wasn't it Loreena Bobbit who showed someone the real meaning of severance pay ??

Regards, Paul

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 6 Dec 2001 3:16 pm

I need this guy for my agent and will gladly pay him 50%!

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 6 Dec 2001 3:36 pm

Guys...I hate to break it to you, but you can make decent money playing music. The worst paid musicians are folks playing old country music in VFW's and such. Probably second worst is folks playing with second and third niche country acts that are trying to make a name for themselves. I play in a six piece band that does County Fairs, Street Dances, Corporate Parties, Weddings, and other private parties. You can say BS all you want, but I routinely make $2-300/night. Some jobs are more...lots more.
There are several bands in the Houston area that make this and more. The folks that are starving are playing in the bars and small dance halls. I'm not saying it's fair, but it is factual. I have no doubt that the drummer dude is telling the truth. We are just entering our best paying time of the year. Corporate and private Christmas parties,and of course...New Years Eve. You can be sure I will make more than $500 on the New Years Eve job.

------------------
Steve Stallings
Bremond, Texas

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 7 Dec 2001 7:22 pm

I feel that drummers should be paid more. After all they beat their meter in public.

kyle reid · Post by **kyle reid** » 8 Dec 2001 1:06 pm

And I say BS all I want! anyone agree?

Red Kilby · Post by **Red Kilby** » 11 Dec 2001 8:04 am

For $500 a nite I would buy a set of earplugs if I was going deaf <<<.[This message was edited by Red Kilby on 11 December 2001 at 08:06 AM.]

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 11 Dec 2001 12:04 pm

Quote: "the guys making less are the guys playing VFWs and old Country and such".------

Partys and corporate gigs always paid more but they usually hired someone involved and yes I have made 2000.00 for such a gig and spit it evenly amongst 6 people.And New Years eve we always got a phenominal paycheck..But "Old Country" kept a lot of us working. I'm really glad that someone is making 500.00 per night.That means he can retire earlier then I did. Maybe in 5 years or so playing new Country without having to work everynight of the week and having all the fun we did. Now only if there were 5 a week night gigs that paid that much,If only there were 5 a year in all of earthland now that that could support that figure

half of Nashville would be off of food stamps.

------------------
CJC

[This message was edited by Joe Casey on 14 December 2001 at 06:52 PM.]

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 15 Dec 2001 6:58 am

I would have to agree with several above posts. When our 6 piece band entered the private Golf/Country club circuit between
Rye NY and New Haven Ct we were being paid $1200 on average. At times we even added a 7th piece when the paycheck was higher. What brought us to this level and circuit was a simple song list addition, we pretty much still played straight ahead country with the typical rock tunes but we added a wide selection of swing tunes and standards from the 30's and 40's. I would say we weren't really playing any better but the song list was the ticket. What also helped was that my wife who sings the ballads and standards ( and looks good too) was very well received.

We worked weekly, many times back to back gigs with Saturday or Sunday afternoon events or Fairs. Let me just say we wore out some tires !

On special gigs the paycheck exceeded the $1200 to $1500 and even $2000 for a night.

We stopped gigging 'cause we were just plain tired....Working during the day and gigging at night , well you know what the deal is....

TP[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 15 December 2001 at 07:02 AM.]