Deadbeat musicians, and others...

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

How many of you guys that know a deadbeat picker, that only serves to reinforce the stereotype of "picker as freeloader?" I've got a good friend, draws FULL disability, yet he gigs every week---And gets paid, which is illegal. Another guitar player friend lives off whatever girlfriend he's shacked up with---Close to 60 years old, and never owned a home. Don't you guys think we've worked too hard to be classifed as deadbeats? And at the same time, do those of us who work the regular job need to support the deadbeats?

Jim Bob Sedgwick · From: Clinton, Missouri USA

I think life is full of leeches and ticks, regardless of their profession. Unfortunately, the public only hears about the drunk, drug addicted musicians, not the vast majority of professional players who do not abuse drugs, or alcohol, or feed off anyone who will let them. I also feel that the public looks at the music profession as being "FUN" for the players, not the work of hundreds of thousands of hours of practicing and working at the craft that it takes to become proficient as a professional. Therefore musicians will always be looked upon as people who like to have fun (in otherwords bums) by the public.

I think the public is Jealous of musicians.
Responses are incouraged. JMO

Frank Parish · From: Nashville,Tn. USA

A guy living on full disability may not draw much money at all. I know a guy that draws less than $600 a month for total disability. He never payed into SS so that's all he gets. He's been disabled all his life with really bad scoliosis, one ear, one lung because of his back, and one eye. He couldn't get hired anywhere anyway if he could do the job. He plays when he can and is a darn good drummer and a good r/r guitar player. I don't see anything wrong with him trying get by a little better than a rock. It may be illegal but I don't think it should be.
Now when it comes to ticks and leeches, that's another story. I was just having this discussion about how a lot of musicians just aren't loyal to the others and will take a mans job or his wife if he gets the chance to. That's just the make-up of the person. They'd be like that no matter what their line of work. Of course it makes you wonder about a banjo player!

Jim Phelps · From: Mexico City, Mexico

What goes around comes around.

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

I've known several "pure pickers" that did well during the times of lots of music.

They kept picking, staying up til dawn and waking up at three to SS and maybe Shave, and go to the gig. Mostly living at someone elses house.

Me, I played the same multi seven night runs, and was in an asphalt truck waiting for Mr Pamplins' asphalt plant to fire up before they drank themselves to sleep. If I was lucky in the 90s I got saturdays and/or sundays off to go home and collapse.

Time passed.

I never cared that they had to go away and live with their kids, in a box, or wherever they went. They didn't think enough of themselves to make enough money to keep from becoming a problem for their friends and family. I was the one hauling paving mix pavers and rollers with two hours sleep inbetween jobs for years and years on end.

I feel similar about people that spend more money on booze beer and fast food than it would cost them for health insurance, and then expect somebody else to pay for it or their medical bills.

I don't identify with them, and the last thing I'd ever want to impress somebody in the "crowd" with is that I "make a living" playing music.

Kind of hard to convince people you've got a handle on Life with a sign and a jar begging for money in front of you...

EJL

Jim Phelps · From: Mexico City, Mexico

Well gee Eric, that doesn't quite describe everyone who plays music for a living. At least not everyone I've known.

[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 08 July 2006 at 03:18 AM.]

A. J. Schobert · From: Cincinnati, Ohio,

I never heard "picker as freeloader" but I can tell you this problem is national, me and my wife work hard to get ahead, and I really do have a strong sense of pride that alot of these guys won't know, and that is sad.

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Stephen, assuming your friend really is disabled and unable to work a day gig, what is the harm in him making a few extra bucks picking on the weekends? Would it be better for him or anybody else if he stayed home and watched TV instead?

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My web site

Tim Bridges · From: Hoover, Alabama, USA

I have several friends who decided early on to be professional musicians. They realized up front what that would involve. Alot of uncertainty and risk. I took the other road of a different profession, family and security. I also have a different lifestyle.

The ones that endured music as a profession for 30+ years have worked hard. The're are constantly hustling up jobs and maintaining relationships in the ever changing "gig job market". These folks are working 2-3 gigs a night, 5-7 days/week. If they're lucky, they have enough to get by. They'll make sacrifices that I wouldn't consider; like health insurance and retirement.

The dead beats exist in every realm of society. I think it becomes personal when you see a dead beat in your profession. You feel guilty by association. That's like the "used car salesman syndrome". Eventhough there are very credible used car salesman, in general they get a bad rap.

Yes, what goes around comes around.

I'll have to admit, when you know and see people playing ALL the time and you find it hard to find the time to play, now that'll BUG you!

Robert Cook · From: Collierville,TN

Artistry in whatever manner it presents itself has always appeared to the layman to be something of a uninspiring way to approach work. I cannot make a living from music and I may not completely understand the ins and outs of those who do; but I understand that they approach their craft no different than I approach mine. If I could make as good a wage cranking out music on the steel guitar I think I would do it in a heartbeat. For those who have found a way to do that through practice, gigging, and an unwavering persistence then God bless them. There will always be people who abuse the benefits our society offers and harbor a lifestyle that leaves us shaking our heads. We can castigate them or pray for them. I choose the latter.

A violin player was once asked, "What's the difference between a violin player and a fiddler?" She said, "About $250,000 in lessons."

I'm going back to fiddling with my steel.

Chris LeDrew · From: Canada

Whatever you do in this life for a living, you have to do it with pride. I'm proud of being a full-time musician, and I'm very lucky that my work is steady enough to pay the bills. But if I had to do something else to make ends meet, I'd do that with pride as well. It's all about respecting yourself. I know some musicians who have just fallen through the cracks, depressed and addicted. There's a lifestyle that's attached to being a lifer musician that you have to keep in check, or it will get the better of you. You have to know when to go home. Lucky for me, I have a nice little house and a great family that keeps me in line. I'm no different than the guy across the street who works for an oil company. The only thing is that he's going to bed when I'm hitting the stage.

Paul McCartney's father gave him some very sound advice when Paul was starting out as a working musician:

"Moderation, my son. Everything in moderation."

That advice always resonates with me in times when I feel like I may be veering off the rails a bit.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Stephen,

Thousands of New England farm families have lost their properties to banks and developers. It's hard to imagine anyone explaining those situations away through lack of ambitions. In 1960, regular gasoline was priced at 5 gallons for a dollar here in Massachusetts. I just paid $15.00 for 5 gallons this morning. Years ago, a Gibson guitar was priced below the current cheapest 6 stringed instrument. I'm not willing to place blame on those who may be struggling to survive on fixed incomes. The majority would rather
be out in the work force, rather than facing retirement. I've never heard of anyone getting rich on hand-outs, (including musicians).
The value of a dollar in today's market, is the real culprit.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Bill, are you okay? I understood everything you wrote...

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

I've heard that some people use there work computers to spend time on non work related sites ! I don't know if its true but one time I heard of this deadbeat leech on society who called in sick to his job when he wasn't sick !

The world is just going down the crapper !

Eric, Its good to hear so much about your life all the time. You are truly a great man. You have given me such a strong sense of pride in my gigs where some guy takes $5 at the door instead of the shame of having people put money in the hat if they feel like it.

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Bob
upcoming gigs
My Website

[This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 08 July 2006 at 09:32 AM.]

Bob Wood · From: Madera, California, USA

I have a couple of friends that are on total disability. They both have told me that it is not illegal for a person on TA to make a little money extra on the side! But, the catch is: a person has to be on it for about a year. After that..., they can earn a meager amount. Probably as much as most musicians make playing on the weekends.

Bob

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