[Dixielandjazz] If I could play an instrument (I'd play for $50)

[Steve Barbone]

Great Post Tom. Great reply Dave.

One thing we all forget is the distance we drive to gigs and the cost of
operating a car these days.

The accepted cost of operating a car, according to the fleet specialists, is
a little more than 50 cents a mile. So if you drive 100 miles round trip to
the gig you've just spent at least $50.00. If the gig paid $50 you made
absolutely nothing. If you play free, you just paid $50 to play.

And forget about the write off, the best that does for you is eliminate your
income tax. You still spent the 50 cents a mile.

Sure, many folks with day gigs drive a car to work, but how many of them
work for $50 a day? (below minimum wage) If that's what they made, they
wouldn't be able to afford a car because $50 a day is $250 a week is $13,000
a year.

I'd guess that most folks driving to work make a fairly substantial living
at their jobs in order to be able to afford to drive.

Speaking about cars, I just bought a new Honda Pilot to haul my equipment. I
asked what the labor charge was at the Dealer on repairs. $96 an hour. Why
the hell should any musician work for less . . . especially since we don't
have the luxury of a 35 or 40 hour week? $96 times 40 hours = $3840. And
most repairs are quoted at a flat rate, the amount of hours allowed in the
repair book. Even if done in less than the "standard" amount of time allowed
in the book, you still pay the time allowed or flat rate.

Heck, we'll do a three hour gig in 2 hours if we can still pocket the three
hour rate, no? :-) VBG.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone