[Harp-L] death of live music?

[Roscoharp@xxxxxxx]

Hey list,
 
I've been polling musicians I know all over the country about an issue that  
is pretty important to those of us who love playing out in front of music 
fans.  In my area of the country, (upper mid-west) long established live  music 
clubs are switching to DJs, karaoke, comedy, etc. This trend seems to have  
really accelerated in the last couple years. College age fans who drive the  music 
scene aren't very interested in what I'll call 'real' music. There are  fewer 
places to play & many of the venues that are left are only interested  in 
cover bands. Original bands are often grouped as multi-act shows where no one  
band makes much money. There are quite a few regional blues bands out there  
chasing a few low pay gigs. I'm not very in touch with the jazz scene, but  it 
seems that only the big names are drawing. Very few clubs of any kind  seem to 
have a built in crowd. 
 
I've seen a big turn around from even 3 or 4 years ago.
. 
 
Is the live music scene at the club level dying?
Are casual  music fans dumbed down to the level of generic hip  hop, 
programmed pop beats, & soul-less country?
Is it just my  imagination?
What are y'all seeing?
 
Later,
Rosco

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