I play in 2 different Blues bands. 4-7 times a month. I make between $300 and $700 a month. I figure it's not too bad for a 65 year old Old Man. It supplements my Social security.

Speaking of gigs, and house bands, I have landed a house gig 2 blocks from my home as a Mc, and I'm putting together a house band, for open mic nites, and we will be starting off with a blues jam/fest! What a evolution of this geezer, with my bud and base player to run the show, and its with state of the art lights and P.A. a small concert style venue, I know the owner and he is letting me run with it and il get paid [crazy daisy who would of thought...'so it's not over nothing is over' I am in awe

/............. BOYS I"M BACK .........

In the late 70's I played at 3 clubs that would book us for about 6 weeks at a time, 4 nights a week then we'd rotate to the next place. We'd do a few one-offs in between and the occasional wedding. We'd play 4 nights a week. We could keep the the gear set up all week and get a rehearsal in on Sunday afternoon. I also played as the "house" drummer on an open mic night on Mondays every week for almost 3 years, and played a Jazz gig every Sunday. I was working 6-7 gigs a week and teaching lessons and made about 2 grand a month, and back then I could live on that.

A few years ago I said yes to every offer to play and spent some time hustling gigs and did 27 gigs in a month, I made less than 2500 bucks and almost ended up divorced. I guess the point is you can't make a living gigging any more.

Gary, you are back! Good for you!

It`s extremely difficult to make a living in this day and age with solely gigging,you have to have different types of musical income to even come close and even with that it`s a"labor of love".I`ve been making a living playing drums for 45 yrs. now and it`s really hard to pay the bills but somehow i`ve managed to do it.But then again i`ve had to use various forms of drum related income such as teaching,studio work,jingles and workshops to make a go of it.I play in 4 local bands(all different styles) and still to this day love the heck out of what i do!The days of full week club dates are long gone and as i get older i`m finding it even more challenging to keep this meager living going but at my age it`s all i`ve ever known or done my entire working life.And at this stage in my life i plan on seeing it thro` to the end as long as my arms and legs can move that is,lol.

Wayne

Wayne

Glad to hear someones doing it Wayne, keep the faith, whenever I need a sub on a gig for one of my bands I try to call a "working" musician because I know you guys are living on the cash. (not to mention talent)

mcdrummer-the "working" musicians very much appreciate the work as you are well aware.And we thank you for calling us when you need a sub.Gig on my friend...

Wayne

First of all, Jaghog: Congrats on yer new gig!

Secondly, Wayne: I hear ya! I've been doin' this "labour of love" for almost as many years and couldn't possibly envision giving it up! Power to you!

The secret for me has been diversity: Reggae, klezmer, second line, blues, funk, folk, rock, bossa etc etc....plus teaching and studio gigs. I just never thought that I was going to become a full-time secretary/hoarder/mover. guess it goes with the territory. I wouldn't say Quebec City is better than any other mid-sized city for work, but rent doesn't even compare to elsewhere and I have a pretty big network of friends here which is priceless!!

Due to my day job schedule, I only gig about once a month these days... sometimes twice. Here in my area, $100-$120 a musician is pretty standard. That's usually for a 4hr gig. But factoring in pack up, drive to, set up, play, pack up, and drive home... well, your in for about 6 hrs total or so...

I have a old friend that is fortunate enough to make a living playing music. He is a multi percussionist that teaches and also gets several stage production gigs (plays, theatre arts, etc.) in Houston, Tx. This guy works his butt off but loves every minute of it! He is also one helluva keyboard/piano player too!

It is really pretty depressing to see the state of live music these days. I no longer play professionally but in the late 70's early 80's I was making $75-$150 a night generally three nights a week through high school and college. Played the hotel circuit for a couple of years playing six nights a week for around $75 a night. 30+ years later there are way less jobs, and they pay no more than they did then.

The advent of DJ's, dance music in general, other forms of entertainment, etc has certainly hindered the market.