[Dixielandjazz] Just Say No - Was Economics of OKOM

[Stephen G Barbone]

Regarding the problem of bookers and musicians who de-value the music,  
Paul Edgerton suggested we copy Nancy Reagan famous drug slogan and  
(concerning low or no wage Dixieland gigs) "just say no".

That the slogan has never worked because just like druggies who are  
still addicted to drugs, 40 years later, there is a large population  
of jazz musicians who are addicted to "playing without pay". And both  
will do anything just to get a fix. They are mentally unable to just  
say no.

If we are to eliminate druggies and musicians who will do anything to  
get their fix, perhaps what we really need to do  is send Guido around  
to either adjust their attitudes, or really eliminate them. <grin>

Or perhaps the rest of us need to learn how to market our musical  
product in a manner that overcomes those who are selfishly screwing up  
the market.

Ask Ross Anderson how he does it.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband