[Harp-L] Re: Harp-L Digest, Vol 35, Issue 64

["Cara Cooke" <cyberharp@xxxxxxxxx>]

The only way to make money in music here (Austin, Tx.) is to play private
parties and such out of town -- all the time.  The only way to get those,
besides word of mouth, is to play the venues that do not pay well because
they can get someone to replace you in a few minutes if you don't like your
pay.  (Too many really fine musicians in a small area, so there is a lot of
competition for those better paying jobs.)

However, our advantage here is the cross-section of experience and talent.
Your music can grow here, even if it does not make money.  The bar is
sometimes very high for acheivement and you rise to the challenge.
Nashville shares many of these same characteristics, except that here, we
enjoy being friendly.  (Not everyone, so I am told, is friendly in
Nashville, though many obviously are.)  Some Nashville musicians come here
for awhile to bone up, grow, or what-have-you, and we enjoy having them.  We
learn from them, and they seem to learn from us.  In the meantime, a
European tour may spring from these hills where you get paid pennies -- and
sometimes national tours.  (It is kind of fun to watch it all, really; to go
off and hear folks say wonderful things about the new great band that they
have discovered -- a band you have been able to watch develop for the last
few years at your local BBQ joint.)

Tim Moyer is a wonderful, talented musician and customizer.  If you haven't
heard him play or his custom work, seek him out.  He isn't hard to
find: www.workingmansharps.com
.  (By the way, there is another Tim Moyer, who does not appear to be a
harmonica player, in California.  He has the www.timmoyer.com URL.)

Please also look up some of our other wonderful harmonica players (including
me <http://www.cyberharp.isonfire.com/>), like Jimi
Lee<http://www.jimileeband.com/>,
Michael Rubin <http://www.michaelrubinharmonica.com/>, Gary
Primich<http://www.garyprimich.com/>,
Mel Davis <http://www.bluesspecialists.org/>, and James
Cotton<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Cotton>.
We have many more than I have mentioned, but, like Eric said, the list it
toooooo long.  These names will get you started.

Cara Cooke (www.cyberharp.isonfire.com)