Your right, I have had civic organisations use the "per man" standard
but it is a rare case. I agree most clubs don't care if your a solo
kazoo player. Just as long as you make the cash register ring.
I have seen countless talented ensemble players leave music just
because the money got too small. (I mean ensemble by large bands 7 to
15 piece.) It's tough to put together a large group. There are so
many talented players I would love to hire but I just can't because it
wouldn't add anything financially.
There is the blatent form of undercutting that goes on. A typical
scenario is you quote a festival for 1500$ and then some goof quotes
350$. I didn't mention this as it wasn't really where the thread was
heading (way off topic about overkill on equipment) but blatent
undercutting is indeed another sad reality of any music scene. That
includes overkill on equipment and personel.
What I am mostly pointing out as undercutting is the non-pro bands who
only play for enjoyment. Some of these bands are quite good but they
don't care much about money as long as they can enjoy their hobby.
Some of these bands have great PAs with good roadie and tech support.
These bands have the luxury of adding an extra fiddle, steel, horn
section, percussion...ect... and they go into a place and play for
300$. To them it doesn't matter that they make money as long as they
enjoy their music. I have friends in such bands and often advise them
on what rate they should expect. They tell me clubs just don't want
to pay that kind of money when the club can get the same crowd with a
200$ kareoke act. It's a sad situation. (Whining deleted..)
I know it's just the reality of intense competition. Bands will do
whatever they can to get what they want. To be accurate I should say
the undercutting comes at what quality of music is offered at such a
cheap price.
With that said, I should point out that what is making money for bars
these days is very poor music; Kareoke, terrible cover bands, DJs.
Most people have no clue of what a good band sounds like because they
are so used to hearing what the coorperations have been spoon feeding
us. Monopolys control many large venues and radio stations. It's to
the point that there are no independant radio stations simply because
of the the advertising demographic surveys.
My hope is eventually someday... the people will notice we are being
spoon fed crap. My hope is people will venture out to hear if there
is something more. If your a performer just make sure you have
something more. That may require hauling around a hammond B3. Really
though I think the "something more" is just having gifted vocalists.
(Alot less gear to haul)
IMHO The decline and future rise of Music (Long)
Threaded Mode