[Dixielandjazz] could get a CUt in pay

[LRG4003 at aol.com]

Mighty high soapbox you're  proppin' yourself up on there partner.  
 
Given your  background.... 
"established  one of the first concert promotion companies, and booking 
agencies in Northern California."   And given that your band plays a  variety of 
styles---Hybrid New Orleans Jazz (whatever that is), Funk Soul,  R&B , Blues and 
Gospel at major Jazz and Blues festivals."... Then  you certainly have some  
promotional background that most on this list don't, as well as offering a  
broader range of playing style that could a attract a more and different  
audiences (as Barbone does which, of course, is an option for all of us).   
(inserted snips) 
Based on that alone it stands to  reason that you should be more successful 
than the "ignorant",  "mediocre", "thickheaded" folks on this list who "never  
ventured past the city limits of where ever you live and stay in a close knit  
little incestuous circle of local legends and therefore nobody ever hears 
about  you or invites you to go past the county line."   
Hey, now you tell me, I'm actually  playing 3 counties south of here weekend 
after next, maybe I should  cancel. 

(Snip)
 "When I get a call for a good show I deliver one and the more  money they 
pay the better show they get.   If they don't have enough  for a good show, then 
don't call me because I compete in Quality not  quantity."
 
How do you present this on your rate card?  "For the basic fee we show  up 
and walk around listlessly but for an extra $200 you get all of the drummers  
using two sticks and we'll make sure the horns are mostly in tune?"  I  usually 
play with people who play their asses off whatever the  circumstance.  Based 
on this it sounds like if you get enough money, but  not a lot, you may just 
sort of show up and only half ass through the  gig. 
 
 
I clearly see both sides to this  issue.  As you, Larry Walton, Steve Barbone 
and others consistently point  out we need to work hard to dig up the 
opportunities that do exist and we need  to charge fairly for them when we can. 
(Snip)
"some who don't get paid what they are worth should not bitch about it  
because they could get a cut in pay."
I really wasn't bitching about not  getting paid enough.  Simply observing 
that making money isn't always the  sole or even paramount reason for playing 
music of any type.  For those of  you to whom it is, more power and success to 
you.  
 
To a man with a hammer every problem  looks like a nail.  So I guess to a guy 
with a bass drum other opinions  should just expect a good beating.  
Still on the firing line.  K.C.  Clarinet





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