The Steel Guitar Forum

My last gig with March 13. Fortunately, I do not have to rely on the money I earn playing music. I suspect that’s not the case with other steelers. I was going to take a poll of how much of a hit you were taking, but I thought I would leave it to comments. Be well.

Jon, I imagine you're working through all this... You stay safe!

I retired in September.

It knocked me out of a few gigs but there's this little issue brewing that will be next in line to screw things up.
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Dick, that’s a MRI of your neck. I hope it’s just pain, that you will endure and eventually heal without loss of function.

I had C7/T1 fused about 8 years ago and now C5,6 and looks like C2 are next.

I generally play out about once a week, sometimes twice. Thankfully, I don't rely on the money to live. I usually gross $200-$300 a month from gigs. This is my fun-money; I use it to buy music stuff or materials for projects. So for the time being there won't be much fun-money for me. I consider myself very lucky to still have my day job, so I'll be just fine. My heart goes out to others...

Gigs? What gigs? My last gig was Feb 28 - starting from March 13, everything has been canceled for at least the next month or two. Offhand, I don't know any musician whose gigs haven't been canceled for at least a month or two. For those who do this exclusively for a living, it means they have no income. That ain't me, but some of my friends are in this boat.

For the most part, the greater "gig economy" is crushed right now, not just for music. This is an important part of the economy.

I don't need the money but I'm involved with many who do.

It's an awkward situation. I'm devastated to see all my gigs disappear because performing is what I live for. The band we formed recently was just taking off, and I had some trombone work lined up. Also a conducting engagement on Mar 15 was cancelled at the last minute.

But I keep my feelings to myself because others are in real difficulty.

I don't need the money either. Been retired for twelve years now. Our first two big shows for the season were canceled. Our next show is at the end of April. Play it by ear!!!

All gigs cancelled for now. I'm gonna pick and choose when things ramp up,I'm not looking to do any crowded, stuffy pub gigs for a long time.

I'm a full time professional Musician and rely on Income from music and All my Gigs/sessions..etc have been Cancelled thru May. I have ZERO Income now and yes I still have to pay out and with nothing coming in; don't know how long I can put off.
Ricky

I know a lot of musicians that are suffering because of this. Players that have no other source of income are really going to be hurt. I feel for them and their families. Amazon is hiring 100,000 people. I figure it's good pay and benefits. They have locations scattered all over the USA. I wouldn't think the lifting requirements would be any worse than toting a steel and amp around. That sounds like a huge number of jobs, but with businesses not surviving this crisis there will likely be so much unemployment that even 100,000 jobs will get filled very quickly. Its going to be a difficult time for the whole country.

RC

I did my last regular gig on Mar. 7. I did do a recording session on Mar.22. Nothing solid as far as I can see. A possible live stream concert with no audience on Apr.18, but there's talk of shutting everything down soon, so I couldn't travel to that even if it was on.

Last year was the lowest money I’ve made in awhile. Fortunately I don’t need it to live even though I’m retired. We’ve played 3gigs so far and have nothing else booked till June. At this rate I’ll be lucky to make 7or800 bucks for the whole year. On the other hand, I filled up my motorhome for $1.28 a gallon for real gas and found out today that ethanol gas is $.99 a gallon. The problem is all of the RV parks and lakes around here are closed. I really hope you folks that make your living playing music can survive to play another day.

New Zealand is in Lock-Down as of tonight, for at least 4 weeks. We are house-bound, but at least I am able to finally spend some quality time with my Pedal Steel!
Our band had just started to get noticed and was getting regular bookings. We plan to spend the time individually reviewing the PSG songs we have let slip and, when the Pandemic passes, we will hit the floor running (I Hope ?). All the local full-time musicians will be struggling during this, I am lucky to be retired and only play for pleasure (but I still expect payment (to fund my equipment needs).
We moved into our current house before Xmas and still haven't sorted it out so between practice sessions, I will be catching up on that.
Keep safe and stay home and be kind to each other, even if it is just a phone call or text or a wave over the fence.
Sandy

The gig economy wasn't musician-friendly before all this.....

I would be glad to donate if b0b would set up a fund for those with no income at this time.
We have almost 20k members.

The gig economy wasn't musician-friendly before all this.....

You got that right, Dave.. I've always known it as "independent contractor."

I was relying on my gigging income... now everything is cancelled until further notice! As a self employed musician I don't think I can get unemployment?

Dave Hopping wrote:The gig economy wasn't musician-friendly before all this.....

I agree. I turned down the offers to be a career musician long ago, because I didn't want to play bad enough to ride that roller coaster. If I understand it correctly, the government stimulus package provides $1,200 immediately to people that are unemployed due to the Corona virus, and unemployment benefits until things are back to normal. There will likely be people that rethink their way of making a living in the future.

I have been off of my day job since last May. The small check I get from my workers comp doesn't come close to paying the Bill's. I was doing a few gigs with folks that carried and set up my gear and those funds were helping but they are gone now. Was also doing some minor repairs and lessons but do to folks not working that has dried up as well. We will all get through this though. Take this virus seriously and do what the experts say. It's not the end of the world but we all have to treat this seriously.

The early reports I've seen regarding the "phase 3" legislation that the Senate and White House have agreed to say that it includes unemployment benefits for "gig economy" workers. I think this was mainly geared towards the Uber drivers and such, but it sounded hopeful that maybe there will be some funds (in addition to the $1200) on a more extended basis to help musicians too. Hope that's right.

I'm just happy right now to have social security checks coming in.

Dave

I dreamed of becoming a famous steel player. I quit college and went on the road when I was 18. It only took about 9 months for me to figure out that I'd probably never have very much if I stayed on that path. I went back to finish college and later landed a very good job with a defense contractor. I managed to hold onto that job for 43 years. I was diligent, blessed...and pretty lucky, as it turned out.

My thoughts are that this is gonna get worse for the next couple of months. Then, things will level off for a brief period, and start to go back up by late fall. But the impact of this crisis will be felt for the next two or three years; it will take that long for most folks to recover. But some, probably one third, will never fully recover, financially or spiritually.

We've lost something.

I really don't gig anyway, so I have no loss of income like some of you and other musicians do.

As Rick and Donny stated, I had a few chances, but it just appeared to be too risky for what I had in mind for a stable life. I guess I just didn't want it bad enough. It's a decision I still wrestle with sometimes. Actually, I don't think I'm tough enough or cut from the right cloth for it.

My thoughts are with those of you that depend on it though and I hope you will get some relief from the stimulus pkg.