[Dixielandjazz] Pay scale

[tcashwigg at aol.com]

Hi Dave:

That would not be a fair thing or even useful for the most part:

why because all bands are not created equal and some are simply not 
worth what others are for a lot of reasons.

That is how the Union got into trouble trying to treat all musicians 
who were coughing up the membership fees as equal and saying that they 
should all make the same money for a three hour gig.   With no 
consideration given whatsoever as to the skill levels of the band or 
musicians and whether or not they were actually of Professional quality 
to play the gig according to what the Customer wanted.

There is a world of difference in the quality and performance and 
energy levels of bands who simply show up and play charts as opposed to 
those that play together often and rehearse as a solid unit building 
and strengthening their sound as a band.

The reason that top level bands will not discuss their actual pay 
amounts for gigs is because there are far more amateur and hobbyist 
bands out there looking to get on any stage anytime for any amount, and 
they will damned sure undercut the good professional band in price time 
and time again just to get a gig.   We talk about it all the time in 
comparison  like I will offer Brain surgery on my days off at a 
discount or root canals for $10.00 just for the practice etc.   So 
while we joke about it we are also dead serious about it.

What is a fair price for a good band for an evening?  that is almost 
always dictated by the marketplace the band is living and working in, 
the reputation of the band and the quality of their music as perceived 
by the talent buyer at the time.    That being said you should look at 
the daily living expenses to support yourself and your family and or 
obligations for day to day living, and certainly charge a minimum of 
that much to come out of the house and go play the gig.   It could be 
anywhere from $80.00 to $200.00 a day per man just for basic living 
expenses depending upon where you live.  If you have to go on the road 
you need to get a minimum of double that to pay your road expenses and 
your daily bills at home while you are gone, sideman or leader.

For instance the going rate in New Orleans is about $40.00 an hour and 
the average gig is 2 hours, according to many of my friends who live 
and play there.  Unfortunately they get about two gigs a week at that 
rate and therefore make about $160.00 for a weekend, and then they try 
to find anything else they can all week long to supplement these basic 
gigs.  There are many bars there that are open almost all night so they 
do get chances to play a few other sets in them as long as their chops 
can hold out and maybe make $25.00 or tips.

I understand from some of them that they dutifully play Preservation 
Hall for $25.00 a gig as well.

They can sometimes get better money for a Funeral or a Wedding or 
private party in an upscale neighborhood.

There are always good gigs for Good bands that go hustle for them 
however they do have to not only work hard to find and secure them but 
they also have to beat off all the wannabes and hobbyists who would 
undercut them if they could find the client.

Sorry guys but those are the Facts of Life, and this has been going on 
for a lot longer than I have been in the business.

Bottom line is if you have a very good product to sell and you 
diligently go about searching out the clients with the money and means 
to buy it you will get those kind of gigs, which will also allow you to 
play those senior centers and charitable gigs for less if need be on 
the off nights and afternoons or evenings that do not interfere with 
your better paying gigs.

If anybody wants to know how much your band and services really are 
worth, go make a deal with a nice room, that allows you to have the 
door and they take the food and beverage.  Charge $.500 or $10.00 like 
Richard Redmond is doing in S. California, and promote it and advertise 
it and see how many people will actually show up to hear you play.   
That will give you a pretty good idea what your band and services are 
really worth.   If you get a 100 or more people to show up you can do 
the math, if you get mom and your sister you are in big trouble.  :))   
To build a following for your band play some local community events 
like wine and art festivals etc. or anything that draws a lot of 
people.   The first time take whatever they will pay you to get in 
front of "their" audience.   If you can stop them and get them to 
listen to you and buy some Cds, or cassettes, and ask for business 
cards you can book future gigs at whatever you can negotiate, also get 
all the email and snail mail addresses and names that you can, follow 
up with a newsletter telling them that you were happy to meet them at 
the Blah Blah Blah festival and hope to see them again at one of your 
future gigs.   NETWORK, talk to people, shake hands, communicate and 
you will be very surprised in about a year how big a following you will 
have , IF your band is really any good and they like you.   If it does 
not happen go back and work at Mc Donald's or whatever you do to 
support yourself and leave the field to better bands.   But You have to 
Promote and advertise Your product continuously because the folks who 
buy your entertainment do not do this every day of the week like we try 
to, and more than likely will not remember you or even think about you 
again until a week before their event again next year.  You have to 
keep in front of them and make yourself a polite Priority.

The article I posted a couple of days ago pretty much sets the stage 
for the minimum you should look for if you just do the math,  a fifty 
dollar gig means you are working for about $8.33 an hour less taxes  I 
think it came out to or basically paying to Play.


Cheers,

Tom Wiggins



-----Original Message-----
From: tootn4u at gmail.com
To: Tcashwigg at aol.com
Cc: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
Sent: Thu, 5 Apr 2007 4:39 PM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Pay scale

   Steve Barbone wrote earlier: 
 

  Case in point: I have a gig coming up on Wednesday eve, May 9th. The 
Senior 
  Class Reception for the graduating class at The University of 
Pennsylvania. 
 On the lawn of the University President's House. Probably about 2000 
 students there that afternoon. DIXIELAND by their request with a bead 
  throwing Mardi Gras theme. "This is our 7th gig at the University in 
the 
 past 
  two years, 2 hours and pays more than most bands make at an OKOM 
Festival." 
 
  
  So my question is, with all this sage advice I have heard in the past 
about 
  how much to charge, how much did University of Pennsylvania pay? I 
always 
  hear nebulous talk about money. "Way more than this or that." Or "I 
don't 
  play cheap." So what does it cost to get a good band for the evening. 
Let's 

 hear some numbers and then we will all know what to charge, thereby 
 maintaining some standards in the industry. 
 
 Dave in Dallas 
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