Bill Piersall
Experienced
bars and nightclubs...Those acts who ATTRACT A LARGE CROWD get paid the good money...always has been this way historically. Granted, most that make money usually can minimally demonstrate a decent level of musicianship, but not all. Financially, things were much better in the 1980s than today IMHO, yet you had plenty of bands that were what we called "posers", copying the LA hair metal bands for example - all show and no substance - and making plenty of money in the process drawing large audiences locally. Entertainment does not automatically = musicianship.
Point being that it is the musician him/herself who sets their own personal bar for musical "integrity"...not how much you're getting paid. Following the $$$ does not, 100% of the time, necessarily mean that the most talented make the most money. You need also to be entertaining and attract an audience.
It's not always the bar or club owner's fault pay is low. If the band draws 25 people, it's the band's fault. Talent doesn't enter that equation. The bar or club owner could care less how well the guitar player nailed the Vai solo, he cares about profit, as he should.
I'm in a cover band, that to be honest, is full of mediocre musicians, myself included. We always play within our ability, have a good time, and over the 20yrs. we've been together, draw a consistent crowd.
We make considerably more money than many more talented bar bands in our area because of our draw.
Maybe not fair, just the way it is.
That said, I'd play for free, love it when crowd is having a good time, just don't tell our agent!
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