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Topic: Anyone making any money this year Steelin? |
Greg Lambert
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 10 Jul 2017 1:39 pm |
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So far I'm at around $3000. A little better than last year.
I'm hoping for somewhere around $6000 this year. Last year I was $5200.
Sure couldn't count on this for a living. Wonder what the pros are getting now?
I know a steel player that played with Marty Stewart years ago and he told me he made $70,000 a year playing steel and driving the bus. And that if it weren't for the musicians union he wouldn't have made half that. |
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Brandon Schafer
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 10 Jul 2017 2:42 pm
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I get paid at the gigs where we do approximately 80% covers and 20% originals. But, almost never when we do an all original gig. Which is unfortunately, the way of the world these days.
Also, it needs to be noted that from my own personal perspective, if I did this for any reason other than the love of music, I would have given up gigging long ago. I view paying gigs as a really pleasing fiscal bonus. |
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Greg Lambert
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 10 Jul 2017 6:03 pm
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| Brandon Schafer wrote: |
I get paid at the gigs where we do approximately 80% covers and 20% originals. But, almost never when we do an all original gig. Which is unfortunately, the way of the world these days.
Also, it needs to be noted that from my own personal perspective, if I did this for any reason other than the love of music, I would have given up gigging long ago. I view paying gigs as a really pleasing fiscal bonus. |
I played for years for practically nothing. I guess you could say I paid to play because of all the equipment and accessories I bought..ha. But Im like you , I love the steel and love to play. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 11 Jul 2017 1:39 am
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I have never NOT made money playing in bands for over 45 years, pushing 50.
I'm not bragging, I guess I have found my niche'
I retired from my day gig after 45 years in May 2015, since then I have worked 3 to 5 gigs each month (selective). I don't accept any gigs more than an hour from home or any local gigs that go past 11 pm. I may go to 12AM based on the gig and players, but it has to be local. My gigs can be Guitar/Steel or Guitar/Dobro or maybe just Guitar/Vocals. Most end by 10 PM.
All covers now but I do get calls to go out with an original artist now and then.
I'm not adding up the cash but I also don't play for free !
Anywhere from $75 to $100 is the norm.
It's still fun.
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
Last edited by Tony Prior on 11 Jul 2017 4:50 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 11 Jul 2017 3:29 am
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I think I'm losing money at this point! 
It's all good, though, because it's my group and I pay the cats first and pretty much every penny I earn goes back into its sustainability. I think of it as building a small business in a way.
I did a paying job with another group a few weeks ago and it was cool because it required me to go outside of my steel guitar comfort zone, it paid very well, and the musicians are all great. Of course, that money went to my wife!
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 11 Jul 2017 5:13 am
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Maybe $2000. That will go down to almost nothing now. I have retired from playing except a fill in with my wife's band. Last band was too unprofessional on stage. I can't play in that situation. Also, I can barely carry my steel guitar.
After 45 years of gigging, it's kind of nice not having to gig.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Posted 11 Jul 2017 7:33 am
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| Quote: |
| Anyone making any money this year Steelin? |
YES
_________________
Ricky Davis
Email Ricky: sshawaiian2362@gmail.com |
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Dick Wood
From:
Springtown Texas, USA
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Posted 11 Jul 2017 8:52 am
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I've made a very nice side income for almost 38 years.
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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night. |
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Roy Carroll
From:
North of a Round Rock
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Posted 11 Jul 2017 9:25 am
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What Ricky said. YES There is money to be made. You have to stay at it and have some luck.
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Just north of the Weird place, south of Georgetown |
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Dan Hatfield
From:
Columbia, Mo USA
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Posted 11 Jul 2017 3:44 pm
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| I used to play for nuthin'. But recently I have wised up and said "to hell with that nonsense!" So now I sometimes make as much as $20 a week. I'm thinkin' about buying a bus for the band anytime now. |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 11 Jul 2017 4:14 pm
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YES :-}
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases. |
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Bruce Bjork
From:
Southern Coast of Maine
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Posted 11 Jul 2017 5:41 pm
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Last year I made $7.00, this year I've made $25.00 so far. I guess I'm not in it for the money.
_________________
Banjo, Dobro, Guild D-40, Telecaster, Justice Pro Lite 3x5, BOSS Katana 100, Peavey Nashville 112 in a Tommy Huff cabinet, Spark, FreeLoader, Baby Bloomer, Peterson StroboPlus HD, Stage One VP.
"Use the talents you possess; the woods would be very silent indeed if no birds sang but the best" |
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Tommy Shown
From:
Denham Springs, La.
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Posted 11 Jul 2017 8:11 pm
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| It depends on the venue. Some places I have made $60.00 a gig. Just enough to put some gas in my truck, and get a baloney sammich somewhere. And some places I have gotten paid $100.00. It all depends on the size of the venue and how much the club owner wants to pay. |
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Bill L. Wilson
From:
Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 11 Jul 2017 9:16 pm Big Money.....Not.
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| Even with a couple of months making a $100, I'm up to $2985. By the time I buy gas, food, strings, and pay taxes, it's probably more trouble than it's worth. If my wife didn't work, my Social Security check, and pickin' cash wouldn't cut the mustard. But, I love to play and just lucky that anybody wants me in their band at my age. What's funny is the pay now is the same or less than it was in 1980. |
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Clyde Mattocks
From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 11 Jul 2017 9:29 pm
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I would play more, but damn, it gets expensive!
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LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Fender Twin Tone Master, Session 400, Harlow Dobro, R.Q.Jones Dobro |
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Bill Sinclair
From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
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Posted 12 Jul 2017 4:45 am
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You're not from the govamint are you, Greg?  |
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Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
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Posted 12 Jul 2017 5:29 am
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I'm delighted that I'm on track for 60 band (+/-) gigs this year. All local w/reasonable pay. Americana, roots rock & classic country. Different bands.
I'm pleasantly surprised (sometimes shocked) that I'm mostly playing for 20-40 year old crowds. The brew pub/distillery tasting room industry has taken off around here and many feature live music.
Color me appreciative.
hp
_________________
Howard Parker
03\' Carter D-10
70\'s Dekley D-10
52\' Fender Custom
Many guitars by Paul Beard
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 12 Jul 2017 7:00 am
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The best pay up here on the tundra are at senior citizen centers, go figure.  |
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Jim Fogarty
From:
Phila, Pa, USA
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Posted 12 Jul 2017 9:36 am
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Now......anyone making a LIVING playing steel?!?
::crickets:: |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
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Posted 12 Jul 2017 9:41 am
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| Jim Fogarty wrote: |
Now......anyone making a LIVING playing steel?!?
::crickets:: |
As with most art, a select few.
h |
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Jim Fogarty
From:
Phila, Pa, USA
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Posted 12 Jul 2017 9:42 am
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| Howard Parker wrote: |
As with most art, a select few.
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Art? Who's talking about ART!?! I'm talking about playing pedal steel!  |
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Bill L. Wilson
From:
Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 12 Jul 2017 8:18 pm Big Money....
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| Jim, I'm probably not worth $100 a show and in 1980 I probably wasn't worth it then either. Maybe the funny part is they're still willing to pay me anything at all. |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 12 Jul 2017 9:05 pm
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I've been doing okay. Most of the money is from live gigs. A fair amount of sessions and a little from students. Every year I seem to get a bit more work as a producer/composer. This year will be my best year for that by far.
I am able to cover my share of the household expenses and have some extra to put into gear.
I haven't had a job outside of music for a long time. That could change any minute though so I'm pretty thankful I have been as lucky as I have been.
_________________
Bob |
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Allan Haley
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 13 Jul 2017 8:45 am
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| I play for free coffee and all the pride I can swallow. |
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