| Author |
Topic: Nashville road playing-Where's the money? |
Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 12:44 pm |
|
| The average pay for a Nashville road player is $300.00 a show. The average sales price for a Nashville star's show is fifteen to thirty thousand dollars. Let's see. A six piece band gets $1800.00. The star charges twenty thousand for the concert. Its obvious that the players are getting ripped off. Why would anyone want to be a Nashville road player? Whose getting the rest of the money? Where is the union? It's disgraceful. |
|
|
 |
Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 12:54 pm
|
|
| You are free to ask for more. |
|
|
|
Theresa Galbraith
From:
Goodlettsville,Tn. USA
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 12:56 pm
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Leigh Howell
From:
Edinburgh, Scotland * R.I.P.
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 12:59 pm
|
|
Booking agents, Business Manager,Road Manager,Accountants,Taxes, and who knows what other expenses, I'm not saying road musicians dont deserve more money,but it just does'nt work that way. Remember. The star is the reason the people are there, and without the people you woul'nt be making anthing. JMHO.
Leigh |
|
|
|
Mike Sweeney
From:
Nashville,TN,USA
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 1:36 pm
|
|
Kevin,
I don't know that many down here that are making $300.00 a day. The union scale is about $140.00 now and most artists are paying between that and $200.00 a day. It's just the established artists that pay that kind of money and most not even that.
So I hate to hurt your average but I would think it's closer to $175.00 a show.
But when you consider there are more artists scratching their way to the top than there are on top already you can figure they can't afford to pay more after travel expenses and booking fees. Alot of these NEW acts don't even break even because they can't command a higher price.
I quit working the road for the simple reason I don't want to do it anymore and I make more money in town doing sessions,teaching,playing clubs and such. And I'm not cooped up on a bus with 6 to 8 personalities that I have to adjust to everytime the wind blows.
If you get into music for the money you'll be heartbroken most of the time you're in it.
Take it as it comes and store what you can away.
But back to the topic it's true that alot of artists don't pay what they could but they know that they can replace you in a New York minute and they know the local won't do a thing to them about it.
So you either take it or leave it. Do the road work, see as much of the world as you can and when it starts getting to you, Get Out and let somebody else take the abuse.
Mike Sweeney[This message was edited by Mike Sweeney on 28 April 2003 at 02:38 PM.] |
|
|
|
Ed Naylor
From:
portsmouth.ohio usa, R.I.P.
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 1:42 pm
|
|
| Ever hear the TEX RITTER song "Will there be one night for Willie??" Kinda sums it up. Ed Naylor Steel Guitar Works |
|
|
|
Jesse Pearson
From:
San Diego , CA
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 2:49 pm
|
|
| $300.00 for a show as a road musician sounds real fair to me, if you don't like it, become a star and get ta see all the open hands and overhead you owe money to after each one of those shows. Man, you sound like a little primadonna, I bet your a real treat to be on the road with. |
|
|
|
Damir Besic
From:
Nashville,TN.
|
|
|
|
Mike Sweeney
From:
Nashville,TN,USA
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 3:38 pm
|
|
Damir,
You hit the nail on the head. $400.00 a show sounds real good but when you work enough to stay broke it aint worth it.
The main problem with working the road out of Nashville is, You are not able to establish good session accounts and so forth.
It's also hard to book any outside work because the artist you work for might all of a sudden book a date in Osh Kosh, Wisc. and expect you to be there even if you haven't even heard from them in 6 months. They expect you to be loyal to them but they don't think they need to be with you. This is not always the case but unfortunatly most of the time it is.
Mike Sweeney |
|
|
|
Jeremy Moyers
From:
Lubbock, TX
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 4:28 pm
|
|
Another issue that I did not see braught up was that when I was with Lonestar our bus lease was $10,000 a month, without fuel or a driver. We had 2 buses and a semi truck. Fuel alone was outragious. Plus paying three drivers, the tour manager, merchandise guys and all the crew. I have never been out with an artist that only hauled musicians, and alot of the time the crew makes as much as the musicians. The drivers, with all of their overdrives made alot more than the musicians. Then you have the 20 or so percent off the top for management, then the attorneys, the booking agents, accountants,without whom the musicians would not get a check, etc. etc. etc. I would venture to say that these artists that are booking for twenty grand a night are not having to use dump trucks to take all the cash to the bank.
Just my 2 cents from what I have seen.
Jeremy Moyers
Oh yeah, if the band takes a month or two off, the bus lease keeps going. Most of the time it is not pay as you go with transportation.
Amd I agree completely with Mike Sweeney's Posts. He is right on.[This message was edited by Jeremy Moyers on 28 April 2003 at 05:30 PM.] |
|
|
|
Kurt Graber
From:
Wichita, KS, USA
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 5:16 pm
|
|
| Whoa ....I think Kevin is making a valid statement here and slamming the "premadonna" logo on him is a little uncalled for. This topic is very discouraging to the player that has dedicated his life to the Steel Guitar and decided to make a run at it. Think about all the hours of practicing, rehersals, studying etc...only to draw a paycheck that is comparable to a no experience necessary job. I'm not sure a brain surgeon has the comparable skills as an accomplished Steel player. We all have semi-control of our destiny and so people like myself will work our day jobs and on the weekends make our $50 a night at the club until the day we can't play our "so so average licks" anymore and be totally happy about the rewards of the Steel Guitar. Yet, I feel for the guy that is at the top of his profession, only to be compensated so poorly. Reality is, thats the way it is and thats the way it's going to be. Take it or leave it is the attitude. Obviously, the Steel is going to have to take "Center Stage" for things to change. Maybe an "Alabama" type band where each member is a recognizeable face. Only then ,will the road player be able to demand the compensation they deserve. |
|
|
|
Jim Palenscar
From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 5:23 pm
|
|
| "I'm not sure a brain surgeon has the comparable skills as an accomplished Steel player"- maybe just a titch of an overstatement? |
|
|
|
David Wright
From:
Pilot Point ,Tx USA.
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 5:36 pm
|
|
I agree with the dog killer.. 
------------------
DavidWright.us
Sierra Guitars
Sierra S-12 9&7
Peavey-2000-PX-300
|
|
|
|
Bill Sampler
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 5:36 pm
|
|
I don't have any road stories, but I've always wanted to be on the road with a big band. But after reading these comments, forget that!! I would rather try and be a session player when my skills are up to par.
I would have never thought road life was like that. What a fascinating thread!
Thanks for the stories.
------------------
Bill Sampler
Carter S-10/DB 4x5
Nashville 1000
POD Pro
|
|
|
|
Kurt Graber
From:
Wichita, KS, USA
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 5:40 pm
|
|
HA HA HA
but hey, If Buddy had it to do all over again. I could see him doing brain surgery, now do you think that surgeon could play "Four Wheel drive"? Well okay maybe "Way to Survive" with a little help from Jeff Newman |
|
|
|
Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 5:45 pm
|
|
The brain surgeon that works on Kurt's brain can be less skilled than a steel player if he so chooses, but personally I would prefer a physician with higher credentials than knowing all of Curly Chalker's solos, as well as the lion's share of the "Black Album."
------------------
Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association
|
|
|
|
Kurt Graber
From:
Wichita, KS, USA
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 6:09 pm
|
|
Hear that Buddy!
When your messing with my "headpiece" don't hold back anything. Insert everything you got!!!and then sew it back up. |
|
|
|
Kurt Graber
From:
Wichita, KS, USA
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 6:16 pm
|
|
And uh Herb,
you are more than welcome to watch. Just don't touch anything!
Just kidding, Herb, I have seen you play and wouldn't mind taking a lesson from you someday. |
|
|
|
Bobbe Seymour
From:
Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 6:19 pm
|
|
| When I worked for Ray Price the first time in 1969, he paid us $45.00 a day.(but only when we played) We had to pay our own Motel rooms, the bus had NO interior, just a big aluminum tube, no heat, no air! Price had a driver and rode in his Caddy limo. I'm sure there are several steel players out there that will conferm this as he had severel players over a this span of time. Now you know why. Ben Keith is the only player that I know that ever made out on the road. You know, Neal Young steel player? Produces "Jewel" now. Makes millions, but he doesn't work the road with her! |
|
|
|
Fred Jack
From:
Bastrop, Texas 78602
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 6:33 pm
|
|
| Bobbe, back in the 50's or 60's (maybe) when Curley played for Hank Thompson .. wasn't it part of the arrangement that Curley flew with Hank? I remember vaguely (?) when I was playing in Colo Springs that they flew together. regards, fred ( now back to the thread) |
|
|
|
Chip Fossa
From:
Monson, MA, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 6:45 pm
|
|
Well,
I was on the road with a fellow named Joe King. Based out of Seattle. This was around 1980-82.
Joe's in-laws had some stout financial assets and put a 7 piece band on the road
at this time. I was one member, playing steel.
Joe was a songwriter, and a pretty good one.
Even did one called "Dobro Man", before I hooked up with him, and Dobro Man was released as a 45, with none other than Buddy
Emmons playing the dobro on the 45.
Anyway, we cut an album in Seattle of mostly original compostions. The final mix was done in Nashville, and 10,000 copies were pressed.
His father-in-law (Mr Bucks) had the entire crew, including Bobby [Bus driver/sound man]
go into Seattle and dump I don't have a clue, but a lot, of money just on "oufits"
[2 entire outfits w/vests] for all of us.
Our bus that we toured in was an old, early
fixed-up jobber, with a rounded-over rear topside - kind of like early street busses, and was once owned by the Seekers.
Air conditioning units that didn't always work, especially when we needed them, like on our SW swing thru Gallup, NM, and a week
gig [7 nights] at the El Rancho...a simply beautiful old hotel with round hallways...
and was built by Hollywood to house John Wayne and all the other cowfolks of that era for Hollywood westerns.
We each were paid $250, tax free, per week.
Hey...I was a real pedal steel faker at the time, sort-of-speak, but Joe and everyone else liked my playing enough to take me on, what I have to say, is a ride everyone should experience.
I've always been single, still am, and I could get by, back then, on $250/wk.
But the OTHER things are what I'm trying to convey. Being paid to see this great land, meet great people, meet horny women, and, actually, putting yourself to the test. And the test is the ROAD. All that you have ever heard about the road, no matter if you've ever doubted any artist's SPIEL, what they say about THE ROAD is not fiction.
Yes...it starts out small and naive. But,
down the ROAD (and the mileage has a wide swing)...it gets old pretty quick.
If you have any sense of eating healthy, well, truckstops (and don't get me wrong here....you can not get a better breakfast anywhere in this country, or any other country).....
When you're on the ROAD, truckstops seem to be the only unalternative place to eat.
You are on a bus..you go where the bus goes.. so if the bus is not gonna stop at Farmer Brown's organic veggie and fruttie
farm stand, than you have to stick with
ROAD food, for the most part.
Hey.....I love bisquits & gravy. I love
bacon and eggs. I love oatmeal and maple
sausages. I love Omlets. I love eggs benedict. I love red, green, halapeno peppers in any of the above.
I love breakfast.
Back to the topic...I'm 56 now, and even if I was a desired player [play guitar and sing too] to join up and go on the road.....I doubt it.
But I did not say NO. If you can get the pay
you need to GET BY, PAY THE BILLS....
Hey....the gals are still out there, and, believe it or not, they just love that new face that pulls into town.
That's what I loved about being on the ROAD.
just the nice ways you were treated...
even if you didn't go over so well...
Every musician should GO OUT ON THE ROAD....
THERE IS NO REAL MONEY IN IT. BUT THERE IS
EXCITEMENT, MIND-BOGGLING ADULATION [REAL,OR ILL-PERCIEVED]. A REAL EDUCATION [I FINALLY GOT AN EDUCATION, IN SPITE OF MY SCHOOLING].
AND BEING PAYED AND TRANSPORTED TO SEE, AND PLAY YOUR DURN GUITAR, IN PLACES THAT YOU WOULD PROBABLY NEVER CHOOSE TO VISIT, LEFT TO YOUR OWN DEVISES, AND YOUR PLAYING ABILITY.
I know this. I have lived it. Not so bad.
[This message was edited by CHIP FOSSA on 28 April 2003 at 08:02 PM.] [This message was edited by CHIP FOSSA on 28 April 2003 at 08:04 PM.] [This message was edited by CHIP FOSSA on 28 April 2003 at 08:06 PM.] [This message was edited by CHIP FOSSA on 28 April 2003 at 08:13 PM.] [This message was edited by CHIP FOSSA on 28 April 2003 at 08:30 PM.] |
|
|
|
Jim Palenscar
From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 7:33 pm
|
|
| u da man Chip |
|
|
|
Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 7:47 pm
|
|
| Thank you for the responses. They are expert statements that come from experience. I own a business and pay my employee about 20% more than the going rate. I appreciate his help and I could not efficiently run my business without him. I just think that band members should be compensated and treated alot better than they are. [This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 28 April 2003 at 08:47 PM.] |
|
|
|
David Reeves
From:
Florida
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 7:57 pm
|
|
| Over a 26 year period in Europe, I played with the USO, I played on military bases, I played off base, England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, and on and on and on. I have played for $20.00 and I have played venues that paid each musician as much as $600.00, the funny thing is, regardless what I earned playing music, Thank The Good Lord I had a day job, because I always, without fail, returned home from the road with less than $100.00 in my pocket. |
|
|
|
Chip Fossa
From:
Monson, MA, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 28 Apr 2003 10:42 pm
|
|
I really miss the old days. Folks were
just kinder. Seems like, even tho we had our
differences, well--- we tried harder---
to be be more tolerable---where has that
righteous attitude gone???
Hasn't left me.
We are one and indivisable.
Give me your best shot......
Love ya'll |
|
|
|
