Re: Sessions / Sorry, last time I promise! :-)



*I* wrote:
> > I feel that if they (the "open-jammer") are serious enough 
> > about being a so-called "musician", then they should have to go out and 
> > hit the pavement just like everyone else and try to get gigs the good 
> > old-fashioned way... by working hard and EARNING the right to play! :-)

Then David Glenn wrote:
> Wow, what a sore nerve. I must back Gordon, being part of a regular 
> celtic "session" here in Illinois. But remember we are talking completely 
> different genres (types, styles, backgrounds, etc.) of music...
>
> I certainly think there is room for both types of music, both types of 
> venues, as well as room for amateur and professional musicians in both
> types of music.
> 
> Please don't be so willing to cut out amateur venues just so you can more 
> easily line your own pockets. Bringing the public any live music worth 
> listening too will only enhance the attendance at your 'professional' gigs. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[In a calm, "understanding-with-love-for-all" kind of tone.] :-)

[Open Jams ("sessions")]
I'd like to first clear something up by stating that I am not sore about
"open jams" nor resentful [please take note of my "smiley faces" :-),;-)], 
but I am however concerned with club-owner mentality towards working musicians.
In *this* area anyway (Huntsville), there is a huge tendency for club owners 
to "take the easy way out" so to speak.  And it is not just the club owners, 
but the patrons as well.  Patrons here are quite fickle.  They will demand for 
this or that, and when they get it they are happy... for a while.  But later, 
after the thrill is gone, they stop supporting it and it dies or changes 
it's format.  Clubs *here*, in general, don't do that well.  So when an 
owner goes from having live acts, both famous and LOCAL, to having free-
for-all jams on a regular basis, then that *could* (in theory), "pull the 
rug out" from under the LOCAL working musicians who depend on the LOCAL 
live music scene for their income.  Granted, club owners can ALWAYS book 
some big-name touring act at any time, and people will pay to see it.  
But *I* was referring to LOCAL guys that are just trying to get by, you know?  
*THAT* was the main point I was trying to make - I'm sorry if I wasn't 
clear on that (which I most likely wasn't), or if anyone misinterpreted 
it to be a flame towards "sessions" or "open jams".  I assure all of you 
that I didn't mean it that way. :-) 

[Lazy musicians]
My point here was, I actually KNOW people who go to open jams or even
regular gigs for that matter, and ask to play.  And then to top it off,
if they don't get the chance to play, or get turned down by the band,
they have the audacity to get MAD about it!  Geesh!  *THOSE* kind of
people are the ones who want the "free ride" and should have to go
and get the gigs for themselves.  Then if they DID get a gig themself,
I'd be willing to bet that they wouldn't be so apt to letting just 
anyone get up and jam with them. ;-)  (In others words they're all,
"Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie and you can't have any.")

[Professionals defined]
Gordon, I think we are talking about TWO totally different points here, both
VALID of course, but we're mixing them ever so slightly. ;-)  You seem to be 
talking mainly about the how the Pro's and Amateurs alike share the stage 
with no problem and no egos.  And believe me, THAT WOULD BE GREAT to have 
those attitudes here as well! :-)  But I'm not sure if we meant the same 
thing by the word or the meaning of "Pros" or "Professionals".  
To *me*, PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS are either:

1) "Famous"  - BIG names (you know who they are).
2) "Signed"  - Signed w/ Major label (probably destined for fame).
3) "Indies"  - Signed w/independent label. 
4) "Touring" - May/may not be signed touring regions of a particular country.
5) "Local"   - Playing locally or just slightly abroad (surrounding areas, 
               colleges and/or cities within a 30-mile or so radius, etc.).

The "professional musicians" I was referring to in my past posts were the
ones at the LOCAL level.  I'm sorry, but I should have made that more clear.
Then you have guys like *me* - My "professional" job (living) is Sys. Analysis
and programming/developing, but my "night gig" (or "hobby" as some would say),
is being a musician.  I do have a "professional" attitude about my music and
my band, but at this point I can't make a living doing it.  About the only
thing out of our gigs that I can "line *my* pockets" with is pizza and 6-pak
money! ;-)  (And that's on a GOOD night!) :-)  But who knows, maybe someday... 
(Yeah, right.) 


Okay, with that all cleared up, we can move on and hopefully put this thread
to rest (as everyone, including myself, seems to want). :-)  

Sorry this has gone on so long, but I wanted to make myself clear.  I promise
that I won't bother you kind people again with this thread.  Again, sorry. :-)

Sincerely,
Craig S.




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