Is LIVE music what it used to be?

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 4 Jan 2002 11:05 am

It's gonna get even stickier around here if now we start talking about what defines "making a living". That's obviously going to be different for everyone. Surely no one can live on $50 a night gigs or even $100 a night if it's just weekends. Perhaps I should have been more specific in my original question which was basically this: "There used to be lots of clubs with music around the west, now there aren't near as many. Is it the same in your area?" And of course nothing remains "what it used to be". We all know everything changes. Yes, I'm sure there will always be live music, but I still insist that at least in the clubs and lounges there's not as much as there was not too many years ago. Anyone is welcome to disagree and if you do then your area is doing better than most.

bob drawbaugh · Post by **bob drawbaugh** » 4 Jan 2002 1:24 pm

Jim, I think your question was a good one and one that we should talk about. But for some reason some one repharsed you question some were along the way. They thought the question was, "what is the state of traditional country music on lower Broadway in Nashville TN." I don't think that was your question? I think this is what got us off topic. I have spent some time in the northwest the past several years and your right a live band is hard to find. One with a steel guitar player is even harder. I wish I had the answer.

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 4 Jan 2002 2:41 pm

Hi Bob, yeah you're right it got into a pretty in-depth discussion of Nashville instead of live music in general but that's OK with me, I find it and all the "miscellaneous" extra info very interesting. I just brought up the original question to kinda remind that I didn't intend it as a whining complaint for not being able to get a gig. I can get plenty of gigs and I know we all can but again it was just an observation that there are less venues with live music these days. It's been a very interesting discussion and I've learned a lot about the business in areas that I haven't been to, or been to lately. That's what I asked for, to learn from everyone's vast experience, to consider all the different opinions. I don't think everyone has to agree on everything either, after all everyone has had different experiences at different times and places, with different groups and different people have different ways of looking at things. It would be impossible for everyone to agree on everything, still we all agree that times have changed and will continue to change. We have the choice of adapting ourselves to the changes, or trying to keep alive whatever it is that we love that may be going "out of style". I'm glad to know we have people on both sides try to keep the great traditional country going and also people taking the pedal steel into the new music. I think that's the best guarantee of the instrument's (and pedal-steel players) survival. OK, I'll get off my soapbox now.

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 7 Jan 2002 7:34 am

Whoaaaaaaa! wait just a minute....did I get this right? You guys are getting paid? Sheesh.....and all this time I thought I was supposed to be paying them. Dang....my wife will really love this. She was getting real tired of me paying these clubs every weekend.

BTW...The music scene in central Texas seems to be ok. It really depends on what you are able and willing to play. Since we are a variety (Classic, Current,Rock, Waltz, Polkas and even.... KC and the Sunshine band type stuff(no steel, we do ok on the County Fair, Dance Hall, Wedding, Corporate Party, Street Dance circuit. We are a weekend band. I don't pretend to make a living from this. I personally have not noticed a big change in our area....perhaps because of the multiple venues we play. I don't do this for the money but we do fine...We certainly don't make $500 each like the legendary drummer, but we generally will take home $2-300/gig each. Sometimes more...sometimes less. This weekend, we are playing my favorite dance hall in Texas.

post script....I had typed this on my laptop and didn't submit it. It is now Monday morning and I'm in my office. Saturday night was fun, but we played for a percentage of the door (70%) and weather was crummy and turnout not as good as usual. We only had 180 paid at $5 each for $900. Of course we then got $630 divided seven ways. This is my favorite hall and we usually get 3-400 folks.
It is the only place we play for a percentage. Not much money for a 225 mile roundtrip....but it was fun.

We rotated in two songs....you guys might get a kick out of the balancing "karma" of these two songs. 1. Crazy Arms 2. Brick House (Disco like tune... She's a brick house...)

------------------
Steve Stallings
Bremond, Texas

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 7 Jan 2002 7:56 am

The answer to jims question has been right there in front of all of us.What Music hasn't changed? Rock has evolved into several different types. Jazz and Blues Has found new dimensions. I guess the only thing that is hard to change is US.As different generations come along they perhaps are influence by what we liked but as we did we want to take it a step beyond.We can stay the same but we can never go back. We can still do what we like but lets face it it just isn't our day anymore.No one ever held us back but ourselves.

------------------
CJC

Richard Bass · Post by **Richard Bass** » 7 Jan 2002 1:27 pm

Joe, I believe you hit the nail right on the head. Couldn't agree more.
Richard

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 7 Jan 2002 2:18 pm

...indeed. Imagine the ruckus raised by the hollow log beaters when one of them stretched an animal skin over one end and got a different sound...

Tim Harr · Post by **Tim Harr** » 7 Jan 2002 3:45 pm

I agree with those who are open to more than just C/W....everything else is not crap....

I wonder how many people won't watch TV now than Gunsmoke has gone off the air...... a great old traditional TV show.....

Bad analogy?? Hmmm thnk about it....

Open up your ears to other music genres and who knows you may find something else you like.......

This forum should be called the Country and Western Steel Guitar Forum......

Don't get me wrong I love Ray Price and Buck Owens but check out a John Coltrane, Mike Stern or Pat Martino record..or even......you name it there is more to music.....and the Pedal Steel Guitar..

over and out

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 7 Jan 2002 4:14 pm

Tim I agree with you 100%. Unfortunately, there are people who make religions out of whatever it is they're into, be it music, old cars, whatever. They will not accept any other style of music or auto manufacturer or whatever, other than the one they love, as if to do so would be disloyal. They're the ones who think "everything else is crap". These people won't open their minds until they're ready, if ever. Then there are some others who might have an open mind but simply prefer their own favorite. Personally I'm thankful that I enjoy many kinds of music. How many people eat the same exact meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner, every single day? Not many, I'd guess. Then why be that way about music? Maybe some people are like dogs and cats, I read they prefer the same food everyday and get confused if you change it!

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 7 Jan 2002 11:23 pm

BOY!!! There are some intelligent statments posted here and I have to agree with all these last few posts. Joe Casey, Tim Harr,Jim Phillips,and all the rest, I just wish congress was this intelligent! No, I'm not being funny,I think you guys nailed this one! Now , how do I get 'yall into political office, somewhere? Sorry, I just can't find an argument here.

F.Lee Bailey

(Mr. Gonnagetchaout)

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 8 Jan 2002 6:35 am

Jim ::Even tho I agree there are all types of good Music take a rocker for instance he only likes Rock music and will turn his head with a smirk when you ask him to play country.People who love Classical or Opera collect only such. Everyone has a music of choice, some of us choose it to be the music of our life which was Country Music.The Country Music scene has changed but there is still some of the traditional around for us whether it be out of our collections or a snibit on the radio once in a while. What I'm saying is I see no reason to put down the music of other peoples choice. There is only two kinds of music.Good or Bad.Those that choose to seek newer ,better things for Country music I wish them all the best as I remain loyal to the one that brung me.I do listen to other music Jazz,blues oldies and light rock.In fact I never liked Gunsmoke but I never missed Wyatt Earp.In other words I Liked westerns but not all.It would be sad if all food tasted the same.

------------------
CJC

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Joe Casey on 08 January 2002 at 06:40 AM.]</p></FONT>

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 8 Jan 2002 7:04 am

Again, that's very true. Most people have a favorite type of music. When I said I agreed with Tim 100% I didn't think that was a put-down on any kind of music, and you can re-read every word I've written in this forum and I guarantee you'll not find me putting-down any kind of music. Maybe Tim's comment "this should be called the 'country/western forum'" and then my agreeing with his post, appeared to be a put-down on country music. I didn't take it as such, I thought it was a remark regarding SOME who get a bit political about their love for the genre, who seem to believe "everything else is crap". Tim said he also loved traditional country. So do I. I grew up listening to Hank Williams (SENIOR!), Marty Robbins, Ray Price, Chet Atkins, all the great TRADITIONAL Country. I also love just about every other kind of music. OK, I take it back, I WILL put down RAP, and I figure that's my right. What I think Tim is putting down and I agreed with, is just some people's way of taking what they believe which in this case is an almost fanatical zeal for one type of music and being so religious about it that they become almost hostile to anyone who likes anything else. Well this is America and that's their right. I still think it's silly and narrowminded. That's what I agreed with Tim on.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 9 Jan 2002 6:30 pm

Jim I never thought your post or Tims Post are a Putdown.In Fact Tim is a young up and comer with the right Idea. Keep and an open mind and Country Music has a chance to progress while staying the same. I don't say that as a double standard.There should be enough for all pf us to enjoy .New Country and oldies.Heck we changed things in our day and I'm sure many were against what we did.

------------------
CJC