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

[BiscuitBoy714@xxxxxxx]

Hey Blake, I know what your  saying there dude. I hope I'm not repeating 
something said already, I have about  100 Emails to deal with and haven't seen all 
of them about this thread. 
    I've been playing out for a long time and I saw a large  decrease in the 
crowds when the tough stance on DUI/DWI came into play. About  mid 80's I 
guess. It's pretty common knowledge that the police target people the  later it 
gets in the evening. I'm by no means condoning drunk driving or saying  that the 
police shouldn't do this, I'm just giving my observation.. Blues music  is 
still real popular in Erie Pa. where I used to live and some other towns I've  
gone through but it seems to me that there are some regions that are blues  
friendlier than others. When I have the option I try and play with a band that  
does a lot of funky upbeat stuff that people can dance to, and I write some of  
my stuff that way. Still it's a lot harder to find gigs than it used to  be. 
I hope this trend reverses itself. I quit worrying about money too much  about 
95 when I quit doing rock pretty much, and played blues or country. To put  
this in perspective, the first gig I ever played was in July of 69 and I got  
paid 20 dollars for the night. That's pretty good money for an 11 year old and  
for what 20 could get you then. I did a coffee house gig with a guitar player 
 friend of mine a couple of years ago and got paid 20 dollars. I didn't do it 
for  the money for sure but think about what it takes to put a band together, 
all the  practice, moving all that gear........etc etc. It's hard to get old 
guys like me  to carry all of that stuff around for nothing though. I do it, 
but not as much  as I used to. It's a combination of things IMO.
      Randy
 
In a message dated 3/30/2007 2:49:54 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
46long@xxxxxxxxx writes:


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.....?


 



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