Anyone making a decent living playing?

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:39 am

are there any people here on the UBW that are able to make a decent living playing music (without having to take on another job) ? whether it be playing or writting or producing . . . . if so, some advice would be greatly appreciated. . . . . .the reason being is . I ran into a cousin a few weeks ago at my Aunts funeral and I asked him if he was still playing guitar and writting music and what he said to me SHOCKED me into a state of self doubt to say the least. . Shocked

. .he told me "he no longer plays and it was the best decision he ever made in his life" like it was a weight lifted off his shoulders . .i still think about it and am still shocked by his response and I can't imagine NOT playing . .

I've been struggling to try and eek out a living in music, but find it impossible in the area I live in and I need to stay true to my music and NOT sellout. I just can't imagine him calling it quits and actually feeling good about it . How does anyone do it? . . calling it quits IS NOT an option. . . . .
any ideas??

Peace,
Erick

ubw newbie Joined: Oct 05, 2005 Posts: 23

I'm getting buy producing and recording bands with the studio gig. It's not easy sometimes and it's a lot of work.

As this forum shows, there is A LOT of talent and not nearly as much demand for it.

In my experience, it's about marketing yourself properly. I'm good friends with a band that maid $100,000 in one year in a town of about 30,000 people without leaving the county.

I'm of the opinion that artists aren't worth that much $$$. I'm looking for entertainers, personally. I want to be entertained. I think if more people took pride in their ability to entertain others with their music and less time jerking themselves off with their art, they'd be more successful (whatever that means).

Brandon Drury

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 7:08 am

I don't know how to respond to what you're saying Brandon, . . studio work is fine and congrats on your success, but I have friends who can't really eek out a living doing that. . . . . . I was talking about playing though. I know you have to market yourself, but YOU HAVE TO STAY TRUE TO YOUR ART, otherwise it has no merit . . . .example to what you said about entertaining . . .I am sooooo tired of people like Britney Spears who is a good looking blond bimbo with a nice ass raking in millions for doing what, shaking her booty, what about that no talent Ashley Simpson, give me a break man . . .
The best concerts I've been to in the last fews years were bands like PHISH or Phil Lesh, where they played their asses off, they entertained with their skills, they didn't need no frills. . . .music is to sooth the savage beast or to get it going in some cases . . lol . . anyway, thanks for responding to this forum. . .

That's cool about that band in your small community making 100grand in a year!! good for them man, it can be done . . . . .

Peace. . . . .

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:07 pm

Did you hear a while back she got busted for lip-synching live?
And thats after riding on her older sister's ditzy success.

-Seneki

Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 2:37 pm

It's a tough one, Guitarman. I was lucky enough to make a pretty decent living out of playing in bands for ten years, and then doing freelance and session stuff with day work in between. A lot of younger musicians limit their chances of making a living in music by aiming for one thing - stardom. Having a huge hit with one of their own songs and doing the rockstar thing. This all sounds great, but the odds are against you. I'm not saying don't have a go, but stay in touch with reality. Personally, I found out fast that I hated people yelling at me in the street and ringing me at home. I guess it all depends on what floats your boat.

The majority of musicians who make a comfortable living out of playing and performing are people you will never hear of. They are the musos who play in backing bands, cover bands, show bands, and original acts who make enough to live on by doing local gigs and selling their CDs at shows and on the web. A lot of people I know work in covers bands while persuing original projects, or are just happy to make a crust by playing whatever is required of them, from Metallica to Cleo Laine.

Just a thought or two for you, mate... We are by definition professional musicians, which means we make music and get paid for it. That leaves a pretty large area to operate in if you approach it with the right mindset.

Peace.

Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 5:38 pm

Did you hear a while back she got busted for lip-synching live?
And thats after riding on her older sister's ditzy success.

-Seneki

Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2005 4:20 pm

Your right, calling it quits isnt an option.

Sooner or later, your hands start to figet, and then.......

over there........in the corner.........she stands..........calling to you.........

The guitar.

She is a wicked taskmaster, and will accept no surrender, she will give no mercy.

And Erick, you will be a slave to her charms all your days, whether you make a living from her or not, she will never care for money, though she will eat it up.

Ive never made a penny (or cent wherever you may be listening) from music, and yet I can never give it up, whether I am in a band or not. Once it grabs you, your in it for the long haul.

Whenever she calls, all you can do is surrender and keep on writing them tunes!!!

Someone will always be listening.

Anyone making a decent living playing?

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