From obxwindsurf@yahoo.com Thu Oct 09 09:32:49 2003
Subject:Re: Gigs everywhere

I'm not sure how it works (in Michigan, USA) today as I've been out
of the gig scene for about 15 years, but back in the 70s and 80s I
was in a 6-8 piece band where each person made about $100 per night
and $150 per man per night on New Year's Eve (in addition to the
fringes of dinner and drinks). Bars didn't pay well but you got the
benefit of not having to move your stuff in and out each night and
could get 4 nights in a row in your contract.

Somewhere in the '80s the music-going public (weddings/parties/etc.)
decided they didn't want "live" music and instead opted for DJs
because they wanted it to "sound just like the album". Also around
this time the sound was moving from a "vintage" sound to one thick
with electronic synthesis, pads and sweeps and very "plastic"
sounding. You either lost to the DJ or had to spend an additional $3-
4 grand on things like DX7s and Electric grands because the "old
sound" didn't cut it anymore. Then music got really wierded out and
about this time I took a hiatus to raise my family. (that was in
1985).

Now I hear today that live wedding bands are taking in $2000-5000 for
a 4 hour gig (average about 5 pieces) - 4 45-minute sets 9pm-1am with
fringes...and they're getting it! Now "vintage" songs are used in
Cadillac and Chevy commercials, and soundtracks for Gen-X and Y and
action films and are "hip" again. Go figure!

Of course when we got married in 1982 weddings cost around $4000 for
everything (on the high end). Now couples are spending 10 times that
much and taking out loans to pay for it all!

Kevin

>
> I'm actually really interested to know how it works in USA?
>
> Carl
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]