I live in a midsize city that is kind of stuffy and stiff.

"Art" in this town is more like the Symphony or the Bechler gallery.

Which I am a big fan of btw.

Charlotte is a banking town with a bunch of yuppie/frat boy types in charge.

There is not really an exciting original music scene here.

If you play covers from the 70's, 80's and 90's with a few contemporary hits thrown in you can play a few times a week probably.

With that said I have friends who have moved off to places like "The Big Apple" to really make some money with music, only to return to Charlotte and say that bands get paid more here than they do in New York.

Personally I am not a working musician.

I have a day job that pays my bills.

I gave up on that years ago. flower

YUP!... certainly a viable question! We'll just move it over to the GENERAL category.

Tommyp

I am actually thinking of relocating to Charleston SC. Partly for the weather, this winter in the NE has just killed me, it's supposed to snow again in a few days and it's mid April? But music stores, and live music venues are important to me as well as weather and economy. Anyone live in Charleston? Know about good drum/music shops? Music venues?

ok cool, I should have done that, just didn't see that catagory, thanks!!!

In Germany I gigged a lot and in general the Germans really know how to party vs. team America. Anyway I now play with about 3 bands here in the Raleigh area. Austin seemed to have a cool music scene when I worked there.

The last 'paying' band I worked with was almost two years ago. The band is a going business and they have been together for more than 30 years. They have a steady local clientele (bars, restaurants and hotels) that keep them pretty busy all year round. Other than long established groups like that, I don't think it's possible to 'earn a living' as a gigging musician these days. Not enough clubs and other venues to provide opportunities for musicians to work regularly, and the ones that are there have these, play for free, sell your CD, policies that do not include paying salaried musicians.

There used to be an animal that was called the 'House Band.' At one time, almost all the bars and clubs that offered music and dancing in New York City had a 'House Band.' A group of musicians who were -paid to be there- almost every night. That doesn't exist anymore. It hasn't existed in decades. If you get to gig regularly wherever you are, consider yourself among the fortunate few.

John

I work hard to get 2 to 3 gigs a month, sometimes 4, I am fortunate that I got a day job years ago to support myself and family but I never lost the bug to play out. I used to call it supplemental income, now it's just gas money!

I don't think I'd want to play full time any more but I'd love to be out 2x a week. Now that my kids are out of the house and I don't play golf!!!!

I just wish out band was good enough for the "play for free, sell your CD" deal. It will be another year before the general public is ready for us.

I remember the house bands too, they were great. We had a club here that had live music every night of the week, seemed they would have a band for one week then move on to another one the next week but you would see the same bands return. Now its just pretty much weekends but I will say we have a lot of that here in the Quad Cities. Interesting topic!

My oldest son (guitar player) recently hooked up with a really good band. They play 2-3 gigs during busy weeks and at least 1 on not so busy weeks. They play all originals and play the same places on a regular basis. The places that book them really like them and they always draw a good crowd. They have sort of a funk rock kinda vibe and have a good thing going. 6 people drums, guitar, bass, sax/vocals, keyboard and a beautiful girl singer. They get paid pretty well most gigs. Festivals or multi band gigs the pay is less.

My other 2 boys are both in the same band (guitar and bass players) 3 guys drums, guitar/vocals and bass/vocals power trio. Depending on the gig they do either rock/blues or some gigs it's metal. They have a few other bands they gig with at most venues. Most times they get paid but not much. Some places are better than others. They play covers and originals. They draw a good crowd too. And play the same venues most times too.

That said they ALL have days jobs as it's no way enough to support a living and family here. But for extra cash it's ok.