Yeah, it is hard work to tour, but there's a reason that even Led Zepplin
used to take Mafia type thugs with them, its always been hard to make sure
you get paid. The most successful business model I've seen is to become an
independent promoter/dj/producer, basically thow your own underground
shows, dj the records and produce, with basically a small crew taking the
place of the band of old. But I'm an old guy, I've been doing live music
since 1988, and I have lots of friends who've done live music since 1928
(real old dudes), its not easy to get paid. But I also do know people who
do it for a living. Basically I do music for love and give it away for
free with an electronic frontier foundation open license, done in the mod
file format so the tracks are easy for others to remix. True, there is a
potential to make good money playing live music, but I think first it
starts with loving music, cause that will keep you doing music and being a
cool, creative person for life, which is really more important than
stardom. It does take hard work, though, and in some places the
underground is in better shape than others, so seeking a liberal place to
live is a good idea, cause your location does make a difference. Most of
my friends who do music for a living moved to NYC to get into the
commercial music scene. I have friends who are in Macy Gray's backing
group, so I do know lots of people who do music for a living. But its not
easy, and the consolidation of the music industry has made things
harder. But then again its all about hitting a certain sweet
spot. However like I said, I make a living as a database programmer, and
its much easier than being on tour 50 weeks/year. However I wouldn'd have
learned computers without first getting into Mac sequencing software
in my old school's music dept. Music just has waaay more value to your
life than to even worry about being a pro. Music is a spritual
communication with the creative forces of the universe, like Sun Ra once
said that when we die, God will play back all the music we made in life
and see if its good enough to get us into heaven.
On Wed, 3 Jul 2002, Thomas Millar wrote:
quoted 34 lines on 7/3/02 6:10 PM, Brian Redfern at bredfern@calarts.edu wrote:
> on 7/3/02 6:10 PM, Brian Redfern at bredfern@calarts.edu wrote:
>
> > Good luck, clear channel also ownws most cencert venues, and these days so
> > much un - venued music is basically illegal. The best thing to do is play
> > for free, give away mp3s for free and then sell t shirts, vinyl records
> > and tapes.
>
> Clear Channel owns the predominant concert promotion network in the States,
> and they use their radio clout to force major labels to use them. Said
> labels and their artists get what they deserve AFAI'mC.
>
> Clear Channel does not own any venues as far as I know.
> I'm not talking about playing stadiums or parks, anyway.
>
> DJs can make a good living touring the world playing (other people's
> records) at clubs owned by independent operators and promoted by similar
> independent operators. Several live bands have done as well, playing smaller
> venues and independent festivals year-round.
>
> I don't think 'luck' is the word you're looking for. More like a little
> talent and some hard work. The business model for live music is as valid now
> as it was a century ago.
>
> Tom
>
> P.S. What is un-venued music? Busking? Maybe that's illegal in NYC now,
> certainly not the rest of the world.
>
>
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