[Dixielandjazz] Unions

[Steve Barbone]

Hi Mike:

The Musician's Unions are not so strong in the Northeast US these days
either.

Basically, they control the Symphonies, and in NYC, most of the Broadway
show bands, including the Rockerfeller Center Christmas show band which is
one of the highest paying gigs around for the pros. A guy who doubles on say
clarinet and sax can make over $50,000 in 2 and a half months if he is
willing to play most of the Christmas Shows. (4 or 5 per day on some days)
Basically because of over time and doubling rates.

One of our trombone players is a first call sub there and  those shows are
his lifeline. He is a professional musician, playing only, who nets over
$75K per year at it. He tours also with Liza Minelli, Blood Sweat & Tears et
al. Plays with us when he gets the chance. Works about 200 gigs a year, of
which half are union.

Hotels/Clubs etc., are almost all non-union gigs. Same with Philadelphia and
the Atlantic City Casinos.

Basically happened, IMO, over time because the audience for live music kept
declining. Thus many venues eliminated live music and those that were left
had their pick of bands forcing the prices down. A classic case of supply
and demand. Lots of musicians; not a lot of live music gigs. All of the
other reasons and/or excuses we give are just symptoms of the disease,
nolivegigitis. 

Is there a cure? Sure, for some of us, but most of us are not business
oriented and so we do not get involved with it.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone