Mudcat Café message #758904 The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #15779   Message #758904
Posted By: alanabit
02-Aug-02 - 03:24 PM
Thread Name: When should you be paid for performing?
Subject: RE: When should you be paid for performing?
I have been a busker, bar musician, folk club performer - in fact Jack of all trades entertainer for over twenty years now. When I add up the time I spend travelling, rehearsing, writing, colecting patter, telephoning, doing the post, making connections, lying under my car (so I can get it to the gig) etc, I become aware that even when I do a fairly expensive sounding gig, my hourly rate is rather lower than that of the average electrician or plumber. Do you think they could learn your profession in three years? I can go to any folk/blues session and hear a better singer or guitarist than myself. What makes me worth that gig fee is the fact that I can actually do the job and make the whole gig entertaining. When I think of it in those terms, I don't need to worry that there are better musicians on the street where I live who can't make a living from it. In fact, I improved a whole heap when I stopped worrying about it. Furthermore, I've been pleasantly surprised how positively other very good pros -some of them jazz and classical musicians - have reacted. Having the courage of your convictions is as important as any other quality. You are only likely to experience jealousy from those who lack it themselves. Have a go and good luck to you. Alan.