Re: [Harp-L] Hippest Musician's Towns

["ChipComcast" <jandkday@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Don't bother with Philly, unless you are a jazz man who doesn't like to eat.
All the blues is in the suburbs where the white folks live. Even the
predominately
middle class black folks cabaret is booking more & more funk & rock.
A lot like what happened to HOB & John Hookers place in San Fran.

It's either rap,restaurant jazz or DJ's here.

On the positive side:

1000's of  tavern gigs that suit a trio/duo. They are usually 300.00
  In summer there are thousands of
local borough 'summer concert' series that pay well.  4 blues societies are
close by.
 You can work the casino's, if you are in the Mafia. Most of the Jersey
 Shore bars want Bruce Springsteen clones or cover bands for the 20 YOU
miller draft swilling crowd.  Our niche is tradional blues, many here are
'biker blues rockers'
By not doing that, we are able to play classier venues and save on tattoo
purchases.
 The Chesapeake area  has good laid back gigs with appreciative southern
folks,
I play there more & more...

A friend of mine who works High School dances with his Big DJ gear,
mind you, not scratching records nor mixing makes 1600.00 a gig!!!

I am able to keep the band going with a mix of ~35 gigs a year,
and keep a day job.  Most gigs are 400-600.  I try to shoot for 100.00 a
man.
 It is tough though with the 5 piece. Lately, the guitar player & I are
duoing with him pumping
hi-hat & me playing harp & some dropped tuning slide guitar.
I could book more, but I prefer to have some weekends for
sailing,family & fishin'.

So It goes for a hillbilly in Philly.

James Day


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <peacoatguy@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 2:33 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Hippest Musician's Towns


> Especially for touring musicians and amateur players that travel a lot...
>
>   Where are the best places to be a working musician these days?
>
>   New Orleans is null and void and Austin, TX is assimilating NO
musicians.
>   L.A. and NYC are unlivable.
>
>   What towns are musician friendly with clubs to play,  other  musicans to
work with, and a supportive community? Or, what places do  you see it about
to come together in the future?
>
>
>
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