"just tell me how much and where"

[Bo Legg]

I’ve noticed as I have grown older gradually over the years there has became a change in local bands.
Early on the singers were working to move up and succeed as a singer and the bands were striving in the same direction. Most were 5pc bands including a steel player.
Now it seems (with some exceptions of course) the bands are older folks who have failed and just need a pathetic few dollars to supplement their disability check or younger folks with no talent fantasying, playing star at a sh’t venue in a don’t give a sh’t band. Most just 3 or 4pc with only a lead guitar player.
Their only concern is "just tell me how much and where"

[Larry Dering]

Bo, you could be right in some aspects, but as a youth on I never thought of going beyond my local area and minor success. I was singing lead in a 4 piece band playing rhythm guitar. I had no desire to quit my day job for a music career. I took up pedal steel years later to get off the front line.

[Bill L. Wilson]

When I was in my 20’s I was a decent guitar player in a good band. Raised in the Oakcliff section of Dallas, (home of the Vaughn Bros) we were all blues players and wanted to be rock and roll stars. We played the mean clubs around town but, it finally got to me playing 6nights a week. I was tired of it and when my drummer suggested we learn a trade we went to work rehabbing houses. Now I’m retired playing pedal steel and guitar in a couple different bands just glad at 74yrs old that anybody will use me. I’ll play for any amount of money, if it’s $10 or $150 I just enjoy the fellowship and the music.

[Doug Earnest]

Bo, did it occur to you that the washed up old guys playing now are the same ones that were the young wannabes back then?? Nothing has really changed except there are less places to play.

[Brooks Montgomery]

I just wish there was a bar open, and it was safe, so I can go back to being the crappy old guy in the bar band.

[Dave Hopping]

Back when we were young wanna-bes, we'd play anywhere we could,and most of the time pay for the privilege; all in the service of becoming the stars we were certain we'd become.....Even today,a hot band and a full house is still the most fun you can have while remaining fully clothed, but after awhile we do start wondering about things like what Mike Love thinks of singing "Surfin' USA" every night for 57 years.

[Bo Legg]

One thing for sure is when you get my age you are playing with kids because most of the bands you use to play in the folks have all died along with all the drunks that used to tell you how great you where and “why aren’t you guys in Nashville ?”

[Kevin Fix]

Still playing here and almost 70. I am working with a successful 7 piece group doing vintage country. We play County Fairs and Festivals mostly. Not ready for a back seat yet!!! I still strive for learning something new every time I play. I try to push myself to a higher level. As long as I can feel myself on a incline, I am happy. Always hated to settle for just a flat line, no matter what I was doing, I had to be progressive. I am not a super player, by far, but I enjoy doing what God allowed me to do!!! I remember back in the 90"s, I was playing in top notch groups doing the big club scene. I was in my 40's and the rest of the band was my Kids age!!! Before 1990 I was playing in groups with guys my own age. When the Garth Brooks era came in the older guys, my age, did not want to evolve. I was excited to jump in with both feet. I was glad I did. It was fun playing in the new era of country. A whole new style of playing.

[Paul Wade]

When I was in my 20’s I was a decent guitar player in a good band. Raised in the Oakcliff section of Dallas, (home of the Vaughn Bros) we were all blues players and wanted to be rock and roll stars. We played the mean clubs around town but, it finally got to me playing 6nights a week. I was tired of it and when my drummer suggested we learn a trade we went to work rehabbing houses. Now I’m retired playing pedal steel and guitar in a couple different bands just glad at 74yrs old that anybody will use me. I’ll play for any amount of money, if it’s $10 or $150 I just enjoy the fellowship and the music.

Just what bill said. And Kevin said to I would be happy just to fine a band that would have me at 72 years old

P.w

[Anthony Campbell]

I’ve noticed as I have grown older gradually over the years there has became a change in local bands.
Early on the singers were working to move up and succeed as a singer and the bands were striving in the same direction. Most were 5pc bands including a steel player.
Now it seems (with some exceptions of course) the bands are older folks who have failed and just need a pathetic few dollars to supplement their disability check or younger folks with no talent fantasying, playing star at a sh’t venue in a don’t give a sh’t band. Most just 3 or 4pc with only a lead guitar player.
Their only concern is "just tell me how much and where"

I'm assuming that in the era you fondly are remembering was an era in which acts were paid a decent/reasonable wage to perform. The fact that gig wages have generally remained static, while expenses have increased means many of the people willing to do it now are just doing it as a side hobby.

[Bud Angelotti]

Doug said

Bo, did it occur to you that the washed up old guys playing now are the same ones that were the young wannabes back then?? Nothing has really changed except there are less places to play.

Bud said " and the young wannabees now have less hair and teeth."
Some of us just love to play the steel with no intention of making it to Carnegie Hall.

[Bobby D. Jones]

Many things have changed in our area over the last 30 years. Our state drunk driving law changed from .10 to .08 alcohol. Many of the clubs are gone. Our Moose Lodge closed down over 2 years ago. I just renewed my Moose membership last week, My dues went to the General Assembly Lodge in Illinois, 583 miles from my home.

Seems now all our music is at alcohol free family shows, Good Food is the only way to get a good crowd. There is now only 1 show in our county and a couple in adjoining counties.

[Don R Brown]

Supply and demand. It will continue to decline as the population ages.

[Rick Campbell]

Supply and demand. It will continue to decline as the population ages.

And even more as the many of the population cease to get any older.

RC

[Dick Wood]

Here's my take. Mom and Pop clubs won't survive and ultimately die on the vine. The bigger venues will say due to the pandemic,we can't pay what we used to and all we can pay is half until (don't hold your breath) times get better.You'll also have to do it with fewer musicians i.e. (no steel player) on stage because of social distancing requirements.

Bands will either accept and ultimately set the bar back down to 1980's pay or say no thanks.If you say no then they'll say we have many bands waiting to play here so have a good day.

You'll have to decide if it's worth it anymore to typically spend around 10 hours of your day to make maybe $40-$50.

This scenario has already happened to a couple of bands I played with so prepare yourself.

[Dave Hopping]

Dick, I'm sorry to have to say I agree wholeheartedly,but I do.It may be that live musi in the future will have the same niche in society that Civil War re-enactments or steam locomotive operations do today.....

[Kevin Fix]

In my area the clubs and local bars are long gone. It's been about 7 maybe 8 years since I played a club. Was very lucky to fall in with a group that plays County Fairs and Festivals. Everything canceled here this year because of virus. All of our shows we were doing this year have been rescheduled for next year. Some of the County Fairs we have been working have been around for over 100 years. First time in history of their Fair that it was canceled. Years ago we probably had 100 places you could have played at. These places were around a 50 miles radius of home. Musicians were plentiful. We played like a circuit in this area. We would play about 6 weeks in one place and then move on to the next one. We made 80 to 100 dollars each for playing 5 sets on Friday and Saturday. Sort of sad to see the way it has evolved.

[Donny Hinson]

Many things have changed in our area over the last 30 years. Our state drunk driving law changed from .10 to .08 alcohol. Many of the clubs are gone. Our Moose Lodge closed down over 2 years ago. I just renewed my Moose membership last week...

It's the same in my area. Moose Club basically went broke and closed down just before the pandemic. I was told it had been poorly run, and like a lot of places, those in charge had basically just milked the place for decades. (Too bad, it was a really nice room.) I renewed my membership, but I don't know why. Those in charge said that if they re-opened, a bar, dance floor, or even live music wouldn't be a priority. (Evidently, the music licensing fees were pretty stiff. I went online, and the fees aren't even published, so that reinforces that thought.) The Board said they wanted more "family-type entertainment" in the lodge...to bring in the young people? I haven't the faintest idea what that would be? All I see young people doing these days is playing with a smartphone or marching in a protest. Been a long time since the days of a good "hootenanny" or music park.

"The good things about bad times is that they don't last. And, the bad thing about good times is that they don't last, either."