Re: [Harp-L] death of live music?

["46long Blake" <46long@xxxxxxxxx>]

All good points, and though I haven't been around the "scene" as much as
some of you folks, I can at least intone on the Cincinnati Blues
scene..........which is pretty bad.  There is a supply and demand problem.
There are way too many good musicians in town, and fewer and fewer places
who are hiring blues bands.  If you're a cover band, or a dance band, you're
in the money.   But go to a blues jam in town, and you'll find them loaded
with good players...cause they aint gonna get to play out nowhere else....

Then again, supply and demand goes to the club owners, too. They need people
in the seats, on the dance floor, and at the bar...until closing.  I've
played a number of gigs lately that followed this pattern:  Place packed and
jumping for the first set - and nearly empty the rest of the night. I don't
think it's the band's fault. So whose is it.....?

How's this for a reason:  the age of Blues fans is the problem.  All of
those folks who got in to the Blues boom of the late 60's-early '70s are
nearing or past retirement age.  They're not slamming beers all night long.
They don't stay much after midnight. The local Blues society here is
primarily populated with folks over 45.  Good people, loyal fans and
supporters, but not the target demographic for club owners. At 36 I am a
baby compared to most folks at any blues show or blues society event.

So, I'd like to think that somewhere out there are blues-influenced bands
that are pulling in the 21-30 crowd in big numbers.  And if not, I hope that
someone starts to do so soon.

- Blake


On 3/30/07, Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
> I have been watching the music scene since about 1959. Yes, you are
> correct. One could actually write an entire book on the subject but
> here are a few points:
> 1.... lowering of the permissible bac level to .08
> 2.... the subsequent over zealous enforcing of same.
> 3.... rents raising faster than the national inflation rate forcing
> some clubs to close.
> 4.... people having less disposable income
> 5.... prices going up while wages are coming down
> 6.... too much vandalism and other crimes around the clubs
> 7.... bigger TVs
> 8.... gas & lodging prices putting a strain on traveling bands
> 9.... musicians unwillingness to work for less than $100.oo a night
> 10.. smoking restrictions (not a problem in the south, but 'could'
> matter up north.
> There are about a zillion more, but this will start ya'all
>
> smo-joe
>
>
>
>
> On Mar 30, 2007, at 12:40 PM, Roscoharp@xxxxxxx wrote:
>
> > 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
> >
> > _may.be  au.gust_ (http://www.maybeaugust.com/)   website
> >
> > http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?
> > playlistId=1890315
> > 55&s=143441&i=189032015
> >
> > buy  CDs, sample music:CD Baby: maybe august
> >
> >
> > _myspace -  www.myspace.com/maybeaugust_ (http://www.myspace.com/
> > maybeaugust)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ************************************** See what's free at http://
> > www.aol.com.
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--
Blake Taylor
http://46long.com
http://www.myspace.com/46long