[Harp-L] Is live blues dying out?

[Doug Schroer <dougharps@xxxxxxxxx>]

Interest in live blues music is still active around Central Illinois and
Champaign-Urbana, though it's not a major moneymaker for most bands.  We
have so much music going on that cover charges have to stay low, and bands
are greatly underpaid.  There is also an active jazz, rock, pop, roots, and
indy scene.  There are many blues societies in the area, with a new one in
my town.  However, in my opinion blues bands seldom had the large  following
of bands in other genres, especially rock, except for rare exceptions.  I
checked, and a local blues band Kilborn Alley has 12,128 fans on
Reverbnation.  For years I have sat in with them from time to time on gigs
in town, even when they had regular harp players (none at this time).  On
the road they can get paid closer to what they are worth.

The statistic quoted by Rick Davis could also be interpreted that people who
are interested in live blues tend to not follow blues bands on the internet
and sign on as fans...


Doug S.