[Dixielandjazz] Working for Free was Stumptown

[Stephen G Barbone]

I think it is very funny that we castigate the marketing Exec who asks  
if Stumptown will play free. Especially when there are so many bands  
around that do play for free. And even a few of our own noble OKOM  
Jazz Societies have eagerly presented bands that  play free for their  
concert programs.

I applaud the marketing exec  for asking. That's his job. I deplore  
the comments we direct at him for doing his job. The dialog should be  
between the exec and Stumptown.

On the other hand, I have nothing but contempt for bands that play for  
free. If they didn't do it, we wouldn't have folks asking for  
freebies. And along that line of reasoning, I deplore the bands that  
play on OKOM cruises for room and partial board. Of course, alcohol is  
not included, nor are the mandatory tips to the crew ($100 per person)  
and so you are paying to play. That cruise operator whose butt you  
kiss, profits mightily from your stupidity. And now there are cruises  
where musicians pay full price, just to get a chance to play. (imagine  
40 banjos on the most recent one)That's even worse. Who among us will  
write to the cruise operator and raise hell?
Or to our friendly musicians who facilitate this stupidity?

Stubby Heist had the right idea. He was contracted for money to play  
music. Anything beyond that sucks.

I agree with Scott that we professionals should be outraged, but I  
also think there are plenty of musicians  who should also be taken to  
task. "We" (musicians, that is) are just as much to blame for the  
sorry state of playing for pay/paying to play as anyone else.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone