What is the music industry? As a music industry professional all of my adult life I HAVE NO IDEA! Nobody really knows. Musicians are often paid at the same rate as we were when I was coming up in LA. We know have an entire generation that doesn't typically pay for music. It's all out there for the taking for the most part.
Live music. As a band leader I have a responsibility to my band to get them paid a decent wage so they can feed their families like I need to feed mine. At the same time I know venues that we partner with have to feed their families as well. Business, all business, is a chancy thing.
The next time you go see a band and there is a cover charge think of the hours and years it took for those musicians to hone their craft. And if it doesn't sound like they ever honed their craft it may well be because venues can't always get people to pay a cover charge.
Maybe it's because what we do is called playing that it is taken for granted and disrespected. Maybe it's because to the non-musician often a feeling can be evoked despite a substandard performance. Who's to say?
But we do work. Lug the gear out of the house, into the car, across town and beyond, out of the car set it up, play the music (that the part you see), tear it down, load it up, lug it back, set it up and practice. We also rehearse. That's when you lug the rig somewhere and work on the music together. Practice is when you learn and work on the music alone.
At the same time, this is a fantastic age to be making music. There are more tools than ever for both the legitimate musician and the creative non-musician... It's a fascinating time. There is much music that is pre-baked for you inside Virtual Instruments. There are backing tracks, sequencers (old school)... I won't get started. My only entry for today in the great backing track debate is this. Sometimes it's a about the venue (performance space, budget). Sometimes it's about personnel or lack thereof. Sometimes it's about literally being able to create the atmosphere or vibe that you'd have to have a whole lot more people, gear and/or time to accomplish. And yes sometimes it's about the fact that some people aren't actually good and shouldn't be on stage. But if Russel Ferrante, Vinnie Colaiuta, Michael Landau and Fred Hammond can use loops and tracks it's a legitimate musical option. (If you're a musician and don't know any of those names YouTube is out there to let you get your mind blown...) And, yes, people should be able to sing on pitch and play their darn instrument first and foremost. But as a band leader, artist and worship leader you can't tell me there is no legitimate place for tracks, loops etc. Well, you can tell me. But I respectfully tell you, you're wrong. I'd rather have all the people and gear all the time...But sometimes people literally can't be there or you can't afford everybody you want/need. And when the set calls for bass, keys and guitar and everyone calls in sick or someone just doesn't show up, it's the leader dealing with it... Ain't unplugged is often better arranged and planned as opposed to thrust upon you an hour before downbeat... Sorry, I got started.
It's a bizarre and amorphous creature and no one knows what it really is and a few have mastered it somehow. But even that top echelon of player, singers, writers, producers, labels, studios are all trying to get their piece of a very elusive and in many ways shrinking pie.
The part you see and hear IS a blast. And I'm not complaining per se. I just thought you might find it interesting. Because it is. And there are few greater joys than THOSE NIGHTS where it all clicks. (I'm also a worship leader so I get to have THOSE MORNINGS when it all clicks and everybody gets and stays connected to God.) But so much happens before those moments. But it's also like with all businesses a matter of survival.
There's so much more to say but I need to go be a band leader...and then a worship leader/small groups pastor and then a husband... (And that's just the things I know about.)
You have no idea what I do for a living. (Unless you do) And I have no idea what you do. I'd LOVE a peek into your world. Ooooo, let's a exchange a day in the life! Thank you, Mike Rowe and Dirty Jobs for reminding me that EVERY JOB is interesting.
Live music. As a band leader I have a responsibility to my band to get them paid a decent wage so they can feed their families like I need to feed mine. At the same time I know venues that we partner with have to feed their families as well. Business, all business, is a chancy thing.
The next time you go see a band and there is a cover charge think of the hours and years it took for those musicians to hone their craft. And if it doesn't sound like they ever honed their craft it may well be because venues can't always get people to pay a cover charge.
Maybe it's because what we do is called playing that it is taken for granted and disrespected. Maybe it's because to the non-musician often a feeling can be evoked despite a substandard performance. Who's to say?
But we do work. Lug the gear out of the house, into the car, across town and beyond, out of the car set it up, play the music (that the part you see), tear it down, load it up, lug it back, set it up and practice. We also rehearse. That's when you lug the rig somewhere and work on the music together. Practice is when you learn and work on the music alone.
At the same time, this is a fantastic age to be making music. There are more tools than ever for both the legitimate musician and the creative non-musician... It's a fascinating time. There is much music that is pre-baked for you inside Virtual Instruments. There are backing tracks, sequencers (old school)... I won't get started. My only entry for today in the great backing track debate is this. Sometimes it's a about the venue (performance space, budget). Sometimes it's about personnel or lack thereof. Sometimes it's about literally being able to create the atmosphere or vibe that you'd have to have a whole lot more people, gear and/or time to accomplish. And yes sometimes it's about the fact that some people aren't actually good and shouldn't be on stage. But if Russel Ferrante, Vinnie Colaiuta, Michael Landau and Fred Hammond can use loops and tracks it's a legitimate musical option. (If you're a musician and don't know any of those names YouTube is out there to let you get your mind blown...) And, yes, people should be able to sing on pitch and play their darn instrument first and foremost. But as a band leader, artist and worship leader you can't tell me there is no legitimate place for tracks, loops etc. Well, you can tell me. But I respectfully tell you, you're wrong. I'd rather have all the people and gear all the time...But sometimes people literally can't be there or you can't afford everybody you want/need. And when the set calls for bass, keys and guitar and everyone calls in sick or someone just doesn't show up, it's the leader dealing with it... Ain't unplugged is often better arranged and planned as opposed to thrust upon you an hour before downbeat... Sorry, I got started.
It's a bizarre and amorphous creature and no one knows what it really is and a few have mastered it somehow. But even that top echelon of player, singers, writers, producers, labels, studios are all trying to get their piece of a very elusive and in many ways shrinking pie.
The part you see and hear IS a blast. And I'm not complaining per se. I just thought you might find it interesting. Because it is. And there are few greater joys than THOSE NIGHTS where it all clicks. (I'm also a worship leader so I get to have THOSE MORNINGS when it all clicks and everybody gets and stays connected to God.) But so much happens before those moments. But it's also like with all businesses a matter of survival.
There's so much more to say but I need to go be a band leader...and then a worship leader/small groups pastor and then a husband... (And that's just the things I know about.)
You have no idea what I do for a living. (Unless you do) And I have no idea what you do. I'd LOVE a peek into your world. Ooooo, let's a exchange a day in the life! Thank you, Mike Rowe and Dirty Jobs for reminding me that EVERY JOB is interesting.
