Video: Why Musicians Still Get Paid Like It’s 1975

Otto said:

I might argue that its not subjective...that it MUST be a living wage...not minimum 'non-livable' or its not sustainable.

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Apart from union dates (which frankly don't pay that well), what constitutes a living wage? It would have to be based on the place you live; a "living wage" in Boise would be useless in L.A. Also, regulating wages then means that they're taxable, which reduces the net. You'd probably end up with the same $100 either way.

Also, forcing a small bar to pay the same wage as a hotel bar would just result in them cancelling all bands, which results in less work and less pay to go around. It's a slippery slope, and not likely to happen.

The way to try and combat the inequity is with the musician's union, and the inevitable strikes. Except that their 'hold' on venues has been decimated over the last 50 years and now exists pretty much for orchestral and media work. They just don't have influence anymore when it comes to small gigs or most casuals.

So, many musicians have to work a day job, and there's no shame in that. I never had a problem working a day job to allow me to play music, buy new heads and sticks, etc. I liked playing drums... I also liked to eat.

Otto said:

I know several homeless musicians...and several musicians who's retirement is likely to be homelessness...and its not for want of quality of musicianship.

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I took in a homeless drummer a few years ago who had toured the world , he was broke and destitute .
No insurance , no retirement…..

So @Chris Whitten you do not have it all figured out ….

My drum teacher in high school once told me “Follow your heart and the money will come.”
Well, I never made much money playing drums but life could be a lot worse. All I have to do is put on the news.

RyanJ83 said:

My drum teacher in high school once told me “Follow your heart and the money will come.”
Well, I never made much money playing drums but life could be a lot worse. All I have to do is put on the news.

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Did you make a living playing music ?

Houndog1964 said:

Did you make a living playing music ?

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No.

The video was disappointing.

No deep analysis or any other reasons other than musicians just need to ask for more.

The real reason was already mentioned: The supply of willing and able musicians is high, and the demand for musicians is low.

A lot of bars and clubs that used to have bands have either closed, switched to DJs, or simply piped in music. Raves draw just as many people, if not more, than name bands.

A lot of recording is just done with software now.

And because the level of musicianship is so high, most people don't want to tolerate an average weekend warrior cover band anymore.

Let's also take into account that most salaries have not kept pace with the cost of housing, usually the biggest single expense a person can have..

When I was 20/21, I played music full-time, 6 nights a week at a Holiday Inn. I made $140/week. I lived in a nice 1-br apartment, in a nice neighborhood, had no debts and even a few bucks in the bank.

But today, even if that salary went up 10x, the apartment has gone up more than 20x. Add to that the rising cost of electricity, groceries etc. It's definitely a different revenue-expense dynamic now, and that applies to just about anyone who's employed, not just musicians.

@ChrisWitten. I think you might have misunderstood my comments ….
I’m mortified thinking we are at each others throats over this ….

I think we are both very passionate people and I’m not the best at communicating..

Geez ,, 2 nd lesson learned here inas many days z

DrumEatDrum said:

The video was disappointing.

No deep analysis or any other reasons other than musicians just need to ask for more.

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Yeah, that was my only criticism. YouTubers making somewhat meaningless contributions just to fulfil their weekly video post needs or to attract likes from young people who assume the advice is good.
I'm all for assessing your own value and putting a price on your worth, but you have to be realistic. If I charged what I used to charge in the 80's I would simply never work. I'm probably a better drummer now than I was then, but music budgets are way down.
I choose my work based on the quality of the music and the people who are involved.

DrumEatDrum said:

The video was disappointing.

No deep analysis or any other reasons other than musicians just need to ask for more.

The real reason was already mentioned: The supply of willing and able musicians is high, and the demand for musicians is low.

A lot of bars and clubs that used to have bands have either closed, switched to DJs, or simply piped in music. Raves draw just as many people, if not more, than name bands.

A lot of recording is just done with software now.

And because the level of musicianship is so high, most people don't want to tolerate an average weekend warrior cover band anymore.

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I didn't watch the video but I think your analysis is spot on. It's simple supply and demand. There's a huge supply of competent musicians and very little demand.

I was at an outdoor festival last month. A buddy asked "What do you think of the band?" I replied "Far better than any band I've ever been in." It's 100% true. In order to be playing big venues you gotta be good... REALLY good.

bermuda said:

Let's also take into account that most salaries have not kept pace with the cost of housing, usually the biggest single expense a person can have..

When I was 20/21, I played music full-time, 6 nights a week at a Holiday Inn. I made $140/week. I lived in a nice 1-br apartment, in a nice neighborhood, had no debts and even a few bucks in the bank.

But today, even if that salary went up 10x, the apartment has gone up more than 20x. Add to that the rising cost of electricity, groceries etc. It's definitely a different revenue-expense dynamic now, and that applies to just about anyone who's employed, not just musicians.

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Yeah, and it's not fun on the being the employer side.

I pay my guys well. Really well (not talking music here) , and it's sad to know it still doesn't get them that far. But without raising prices to the point no one would pay it, I'm stuck too.

bermuda said:

Let's also take into account that most salaries have not kept pace with the cost of housing, usually the biggest single expense a person can have..

When I was 20/21, I played music full-time, 6 nights a week at a Holiday Inn. I made $140/week. I lived in a nice 1-br apartment, in a nice neighborhood, had no debts and even a few bucks in the bank.

But today, even if that salary went up 10x, the apartment has gone up more than 20x. Add to that the rising cost of electricity, groceries etc. It's definitely a different revenue-expense dynamic now, and that applies to just about anyone who's employed, not just musicians.

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There's still money to be made for those willing to do what others won't.

I was talking to a group of guys recently. They were talking about their respective jobs/careers. One of the dudes proudly stated "I run a small septic tank cleaning service" and sported the widest grin I'd ever seen. I replied "I know why you're smiling. You're doing the job that's beneath everyone and are making an absolute killing." The guy laughed and said "Yep. That's right! I'm loaded!"

A J said:

There's still money to be made for those willing to do what others won't.

I was talking to a group of guys recently. They were talking about their respective jobs/careers. One of the dudes proudly stated "I run a small septic tank cleaning service" and sported the widest grin I'd ever seen. I replied "I know why you're smiling. You're doing the job that's [that others believe is] beneath everyone [them] and are making an absolute killing." The guy laughed and said "Yep. That's right! I'm loaded!"

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Apologies for the edit, but I only intend to bolster your point. Thanks.

One thing he said in the video really jumped out at me was:

"One thing you gotta understand is that perception is value. And you can't charge premium prices when you present like a bargain."

So true in most lines of work. If you book a hotel room and if it's dirty, or find a restaurant and if the food is mediocre that business suffers. Hire a great wedding band and the couple will probably recommend them to their friends by word of mouth.

I've been playing drums now for 47 years. I never made much money at it and honestly never cared about the money. Any money I made playing out was usually gone by nights end. In and out of bands, jamming with friends, parties, a little studio work here and there. I just loved/love playing. I also had a great and lucrative career in a job I really liked and working with people I really liked. So to me I've had success musically by mastering my instrument and enjoying it every step of the way without worrying about the money end of it. It's a beauty in the eye of the beholder thing.