To Bob & others,
Thank you for that interesting insight into the LA music scene. Wow, I didn't realise things were so tough! Is that the general status quo for the rest of the US? Canada? Or mainly in the major cities?

At the risk of sounding like a prima donna, and to paraphrase a supermodel, "I wouldn't get out of bed for $50.00”, given that a four hour gig with travel time, set up/pull down time can stretch the job to seven or eight hours.

Although I haven't been playing regularly for quite a long time, when I finished playing in the early 1990's we were still getting $100.00 per person in a four piece band, for 4 hours work. These days the going rate is from $150.00 - $200.00 per player in a duo or trio, and about $200-250 for a good soloist/singer. Very little work for instrumentalists only – just a few restaurants. During the 70s & 80's our five piece was working 2 nights a week in regular gigs, and earning $60.00-$90.00 each. Keep in mind also that tipping is not generally practised here – the best you can normally expect from an appreciative guest would be a round of drinks.

Having said that, I understand that Clubs here in Oz are quite different that the ones you have in the US. Our clubs are mainly registered non-profit entities, ("owned" by the members) and generally come under the grouping of sports/social clubs (football, lawn bowls, ex services, golf, ethnic etc) and they are permitted to have poker machines (slots) which return great profits, and in many venues one can place bets on horse races, greyhound races, and have types of lotto etc. They offer reasonably priced meals and drinks, standard entertainment is generally free, and much of the profits are channelled back into the community by way of sponsorships of local sporting teams, charities etc, so they are well supported.

Please don't think that I'm criticising any of you that enjoy playing, irregardless of whether you make lots of money or not. Hey, you're playing music, and enjoying yourself, which is fantastic. I sometimes wish I still was.

I'd be very interested to hear comments from working musos in other areas.

Thank you for allowing my indulgence.

Cheers,
Keith